Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation

Fat transfer augmentation is an alternative to traditional implant based breast augmentation that aims to increase the volume and improve the contour of the breast with fat harvested from elsewhere on the patient’s body.   

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How is fat transfer augmentation performed? 

Procedure:

Harvesting Fat

Liposuction: Fat is harvested from donor areas of the body with excess fat, such as the abdomen, thighs, or flanks, using liposuction. A small cannula is inserted through tiny incisions to gently suction out the fat.

Processing Fat

Purification: The harvested fat is then processed to remove impurities, such as blood and oil, leaving only healthy fat cells for transfer. This is typically done through centrifugation or filtration.

Injecting Fat

Grafting: The purified fat is carefully injected into the breasts using a series of small injections. The surgeon will sculpt the breasts to achieve the desired shape and volume, ensuring even distribution of the fat cells. In order to survive, grafted fat cells need to be surrounded by healthy native breast tissue, meaning only so much fat can be safely transferred in one procedure. This volume is typically less than what can be achieved with an implant-based augmentation.  In some cases patients may require more than one procedure to achieve their desired volume.
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What are the long term results for a Fat Transfer Augmentation?

What results can I expect long term for a Fat Transfer Augmentation?

Over time, as the breast drops, grafted fat will move with the breast, unlike an implant which stays in the same position and may give the appearance of a ‘waterfall deformity’ whereby the breast appears to have ‘fallen off’ the implant. Finally, fat grafting is performed free-hand as opposed to the generic shape of a breast implant, meaning the surgeon can target any specifically deficient areas of the breast, such as the cleavage, to enhance. 

How much fat will take long term?

Even in experienced hands and using modern techniques, between 25-40% of the fat can fail to take, and be re-absorbed by the body over the next few years.
Patients that desire a moderate to large volume increase of their breasts (ie a cup size or more) may require multiple procedures, which can become expensive.

Before the fat graft is broken down and absorbed, it can form small firm lumps known as ‘fat necrosis’ or dead fat, within the breast.  Finally, patients that are slim, or have had liposuction in the past, may not have adequate usable fat stores to provide the desired amount of fat for transfer. 

Fat Grafting with Breast Implants

 

Fat grafting can also be used as a helpful adjunct for patients undergoing other breast procedures such as implant-based augmentation, or a breast lift (mastopexy).  In an implant-based augmentation with fat grafting, or ‘hybrid augmentation’, the implant is used to create volume, whilst the fat grafting is used to improve cleavage lines and provide better soft tissue coverage of the breast implant. 

Frequently Asked Questions

If we haven’t addressed your inquiries yet, here are some frequently asked questions that may provide the information you’re looking for. However, if you still have any remaining questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our clinic at 07 5683 0820 or via email at admin@thecoastalclinic.com.au. Our team is ready to assist you.

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Fat grafting can be combined with other breast surgeries, including a mastopexy or breast lift. The combination of fat grafting and a breast lift can be used for individuals seeking both added volume without the use of an implant and lifted breast position.

The amount of volume that can be achieved with fat grafting for breast augmentation varies from person to person. The availability of donor fat and the individual’s anatomy both play a role in determining the achievable volume. In general, fat grafting can provide a moderate increase in breast size. It is important to remember that not all the transferred fat survives in the long term, as some of it may be naturally absorbed by the body.

Fat grafting requires liposuction of another area for harvesting of the fat – an added bonus for many patients with stubborn pockets of fat resistant to diet and exercise.  Patients are typically able to choose the problematic areas of stubborn fat deposits to target as donor sites for liposuction. 

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While fat grafting for breast augmentation can provide long-lasting results, it is important to understand that the procedure may not be entirely permanent. Some of the transferred fat may be naturally absorbed by the body over time.

Fat grafting to the breast is generally considered safe when performed by a qualified and experienced Specialist plastic surgeon. It involves harvesting fat from one part of the body and injecting it into the breasts to enhance volume and shape. While there are risks such as infection, fat necrosis, and reabsorption of some fat, proper surgical technique and post-operative care can minimise these risks. Patients should discuss their individual suitability and potential risks with their surgeon.

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Risks of Surgery

As part of our commitment to delivering exceptional patient care, we aim to provide you with comprehensive information regarding the general risks associated with surgical procedures, anaesthesia, and procedure-specific risks.

  • Acute medical event: Heart or lung complications (e.g. heart attack, stroke, chest infection)
  • Death
  • Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or Pulmonary Embolisms (PE)
  • A sore throat/breathing difficulty due to the general aesthetic or the endotracheal tube, which can cause swelling, noisy breathing or discomfort
  • Short-term nausea following general anaesthesia
  • Wound infection, which may result in treatment with antibiotics or further treatment/surgery. This is more likely in a smoker or a person with diabetes.
  • Heavy bleeding from the wound, which may result in further treatment/surgery
  • Wound discharge
  • Poor or slow healing of the skin; wound breakdown; skin necrosis
  • Wound dehiscence (wound ruptures along the surgical incision)
  • Bruising and swelling. This will start to subside in one to two weeks but can take up to several months to settle
  • Abscess/Haematoma/Seroma/Oedema
  • Pain and discomfort
  • Allergic reaction to sutures, dressing, antiseptic solutions
  • Altered or loss of sensation in and around the treated area, which may persist for some months, numbness maybe permanent
  • Adverse scarring
  • Revisionary surgery
  • Psychological impact of change in appearance
  • Unsatisfactory cosmetic appearance
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  • Contour deformities
  • Fat necrosis
  • Infection
  • Requirement for subsequent round of fat grafting
  • Acute medical event: Heart or lung complications (e.g. heart attack, stroke, chest infection)
  • Death
  • Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or Pulmonary Embolisms (PE)
  • A sore throat/breathing difficulty due to the general aesthetic or the endotracheal tube, which can cause swelling, noisy breathing or discomfort
  • Short-term nausea following general anaesthesia
  • Wound infection, which may result in treatment with antibiotics or further treatment/surgery. This is more likely in a smoker or a person with diabetes.
  • Heavy bleeding from the wound, which may result in further treatment/surgery
  • Wound discharge
  • Poor or slow healing of the skin; wound breakdown; skin necrosis
  • Wound dehiscence (wound ruptures along the surgical incision)
  • Bruising and swelling. This will start to subside in one to two weeks but can take up to several months to settle
  • Abscess/Haematoma/Seroma/Oedema
  • Pain and discomfort
  • Allergic reaction to sutures, dressing, antiseptic solutions
  • Altered or loss of sensation in and around the treated area, which may persist for some months, numbness maybe permanent
  • Adverse scarring
  • Revisionary surgery
  • Psychological impact of change in appearance
  • Unsatisfactory cosmetic appearance
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