Amongst the range of breast augmentation mammoplasty techniques is ‘breast fat grafting.’ This is where fat is transferred from one part of the patient’s body to the breasts, with the aim to increase size and volume.
Implants aren’t the only way to target and treat a lack of breast volume – breast fat grafting may be a preferred alternative for some patients. But what are the results and how long do they last?
All breast procedures are personalised to the patient, and breast fat grafting is no different. This means, results vary depending on the patient’s circumstances. For example, they can depend on the treatment areas, how much fat is transferred, the body’s natural response to the procedure, aftercare, and a range of other personal factors.
That being the case, it can be helpful to understand how breast fat grafting works and whether it might suit your needs, as this can help you have reasonable expectations for the possible results. For more details about the results of breast fat grafting, Dr Rastogi is available for private consultations in Sydney.
What is breast fat grafting?
A breast fat transfer, also known as autologous fat grafting, is an alternative to breast implants. It involves using surgical techniques to remove fat from the body and insert it into the breasts. Doctors such as Dr Rastogi remove fat via liposuction, which is the first phase in a multi-step process.
There are three steps for a breast fat grafting procedure:
1. Harvesting the fat (using liposuction)
2. Processing the fat to remove impurities
3. Injecting the fat tissue into the desired location
The fat is usually removed from areas of the body with excess fat deposits, such as the thighs, arms, hips, or abdomen. Afterwards, both the donor site (the area where the fat was taken) and the recipient site (the area where the fat was injected) will need to heal.
What does it achieve?
In order to know whether breast fat grafting is suitable for your goals, let’s consider what it can achieve:
Less invasive than implants
Similar to a traditional breast augmentation mammoplasty, the procedure aims to augment the breasts. However, since liposuction only requires small incisions, breast fat grafting is considered somewhat less invasive than implants (augmentation mammoplasty). This doesn’t mean risk-free – but it does mean that patients may expect a shorter recovery time compared to traditional augmentation mammoplasty surgery.
Uses natural material
Since breast fat grafting uses fat tissue from a different area of the patient’s body, the procedure doesn’t involve implanting foreign or synthetic materials into the body.
Suitable for patients who want subtle results
The procedure is not usually ideal for patients who want a significant augmentation. This is because the ability to augment the breasts relies solely on the extracted fat tissue, which is limited to the amount of excess fat the patient has. Also, a percentage of fat cells may fail to survive and be absorbed into the body.
How long does it take to see the results?
The first thing to know about the results of this cosmetic procedure is that they aren’t the same for everyone. The procedure is highly individualised, based on the patient’s motivations, goals, and natural features.
Firstly, patients should know that the results will take time to settle. There is a recovery period, along with side effects like swelling and bruising. It might take several months for the swelling to subside and for the treated areas to fully settle, at which point you should begin to see the results.
How long will the results last?
Generally, breast fat grafting is considered a long-lasting procedure. However, it may depend on the body’s individual response to the procedure.
When considering the longevity of the results, we need to think about the following facts:
- Results are individual, meaning someone else’s results might be different from your own
- Up to 50% of the transferred fat cells will likely fail to survive the fat grafting process and be absorbed by the body
- The body may continue to absorb the transferred fat cells over time, leading to a gradual reduction in volume
- Some of the fat cells may remain permanently in their new location in the breasts
- There are risks and complications to be aware of, which can affect the results if they occur
- In some cases, to help achieve the desired augment, patients may undergo a series of fat transfer injections
To ensure a high percentage of fat cell survival, patients must follow the pre and post op guide. This includes, but not limited to:
- Stop smoking prior to surgery. Each fat cell requires its own blood supply. If you do not stop this prior to surgery, not only will there possibly be surgical and anaesthetic complications, but it will restrict the blood vessels, meaning the amount of blood getting to the fat cells will be highly limited. This can result in less successful outcomes and asymmetry.
- We advise not to wear a compression garment on the breasts post operatively. After fat is transferred to the breasts, the fat cells need to establish a new blood supply to survive. This process is delicate, and compression from a bra can interfere with the vascularization of the newly transferred fat.Wearing a bra too soon may compress the fat cells, reducing blood flow to the area, which can lead to poor fat survival, fat necrosis, or lumps.
To learn more about possible results of breast fat grafting, get in touch with an experienced cosmetic doctor such as Dr Rastogi.
Consult with Dr Rastogi for your breast fat grafting surgery in Sydney
Finding a reliable, qualified cosmetic doctor is vital to any breast fat grafting procedure. It is also important to be aware of the risks involved, as this can help manage expectations and ensure patients are making well-informed decisions. Dr Rastogi can help with this.
With specialised training and experience in liposuction techniques, Dr Rastogi is equipped to develop a tailored plan and guide you through the procedure. He can give you advice about which surgical methods may work best for you and help you develop realistic expectations for the possible results.
