Breast enhancement surgery allows women the option of using their own body fat to increase breast size. This procedure is called a fat transfer and is done routinely in many cosmetic surgical procedures. Fat from one part of the body (inner thigh, lower abdomen ) may be transferred to add volume to another part of the body (breast, face).
In order to undergo fat transfer to build volume in localized areas of the breast, a woman must have enough body fat for the procedure. She may choose fat transfer because she does not want a synthetic saline or silicone implant in her body. The body’s own fat cells are harvested and will not provoke any type of allergic reaction. Being the patient’s own tissue (autologous) it is also not subject to rejection and is considered to be a more natural type of breast enlargement. Not only that, but fat can be harvested from a fatter area, such as the thighs or knees, and redistributed, allowing the body contours to be shaped. Another reason for choosing fat transfer is the desire to not have any visible scars. Fat transfer is also wonderful for sculpting. A poorly inserted implant may have visible edges or rippling that can be softened with fat transfer. Capsular contracture of a breast implant causes breasts to feel and look hard, and fat transfer will provide a softer, more natural look.
Fat transfer allows for a modest breast augmentation, such as an increase of one to one and a half cup sizes. The procedure itself is a much longer procedure than traditional breast augmentation surgery, generally taking from four to six hours for two doctors to perform. It is therefore much more expensive. The patient is under general anesthesia. Fat is slowly and carefully removed from fattier regions of the body such as the abdomen or thighs so that the cells are not disrupted. Either a syringe or a liposuction cannula (a thin, hollow tube that removes tissue by suction) is used for removal. Fat is a delicate tissue; if the connective tissues that provide some structure to the fat cells are maintained, then this helps retain bulk in the transplanted site. The fat is processed in a centrifuge, blood is removed and the fat is then injected into the recipient site.
When properly done, many of the fat cells will survive and remain permanently. It takes several days for the blood supply in the body to reach the transplanted fat cells. During this time, sometimes as many as sixty percent of the transferred fat cells do not survive. Knowing that some cells do not survive, overcorrection must occur and more fat than is needed for contouring is injected into the recipient site. It may be difficult to control the size and shape of the breasts because of this.
After the procedure, patients require someone to drive them home and may also need someone to help out during the recovery period. The bandage is removed in two to three days and a shower may be taken then. There is typically some bruising which will last for a few days, and swelling which may last for a few weeks.
Potential risks of fat transfer include bleeding, infection and nerve damage. There may be a collection of fluid around the wound and the formation of cysts in the breasts. Mammograms cannot distinguish the cysts from breast cancer which may lead to unnecessary biopsies.