What is fat grafting?
Fat grafting or autologous fat transfer involves the transplanting of excess fat from other areas of your body into your breasts.
Fat Grafting Quick Summary
What is fat grafting? Are there different techniques?
Fat grafting allows for breast enhancement and augmentation by using a fat that is transferred from your own body through a liposuction procedure (generally on your thighs, buttocks or abdomen) to achieve bigger, more shapely breasts without the use of an implant.
Where is it done?: Your breast enhancement surgery will be performed at the brand-new Honeysuckle Day Hospital in Newcastle, a fully licensed and accredited day hospital which specializes in cosmetic surgery.
Length of surgery: Usually between 2-3 hrs. Maybe longer depending on the type and complexity of breast enhancement surgery that is performed.
Type of anaesthesia: General Anaesthesia
Day surgery or inpatient stay?: Day Surgery
FAQs
The fat grafting consultation
Do I qualify for fat grafting?
If you are in general good health and have sufficient fat in other areas of the body, you will likely qualify for fat grafting.
Who is a good candidate for fat grafting?
An ideal candidate for fat grafting surgery is someone who has good health and specifically wants to restore symmetry or enhance the breasts or the buttocks through the utilization of excess fat from the areas of the body. You must also have a sufficient amount of excess fat to transfer to achieve your desired results and be a non-smoker or be prepared to quit smoking prior to your procedure. If enhancement is for the breast, fat grafting is suitable for an increase not greater than 1-2 cup sizes.
What to expect during the consultation?
During your consultation, Dr. Verma will take a full medical history and examine the area/s that you want to have augmented as well as the fat donor areas. He will be able to assess whether the size of the augmentation you want is achievable using your existing excess fat and give you advice on the best possible treatment option for you to achieve your goals. He will also be taking photographs of each of the areas and will use these as a reference pre and post surgery to monitor results and wound healing.
Fat Grafting Procedure
Where will the incisions/scars be?
This will depend on the areas you are having enhanced and the donor areas. Dr. Verma will endeavor to make the scars as inconspicuous as possible by locating them in your skins natural folds and creases.
What type of Anaesthesia will be used?
The type of anaesthesia used is general anaesthesia. This means you will be asleep during the operation. Sometimes local anaesthesia may be injected into the site of surgery, giving you better pain relief upon waking.
What are side effects of fat grafting?
With any surgical procedure, there are risks involved and most problems are easily treated and settle with time. Generally speaking, cosmetic surgery is quite safe as it is sought by healthy and fit individuals seeking improvement in the appearance.
General risks of any surgery include excessive bleeding, reaction to any of the medications (including anaesthesia), infection, poor healing or excessive scarring.
The occurrence of such complications depends mainly on whether you have been or still are a smoker, your general health status, how your body heals, as well as your post-operative recovery. Dr. Verma will discuss all risks and complications with you during a consultation, as well as techniques and medications which can minimize risks.
What are the risks and complications of fat grafting?
Specific risks and complications associated with fat grafting can include:
- The formation of oil cysts or calcification. This may occur due to the fat cells injected not surviving. This is a particular risk for fat grafting in the breast due to the difference in breast tissue. If calcifications do occur, they can also be seen on mammograms and may cause interference with breast cancer being detected.
- Although not documented, some doctors fear the stimulation of cell growth by the injected fat cells may cause dormant cancer cells to grow in the breast.
- The injected fat cells being reabsorbed by the body resulting in loss of breast volume – this would be a long-term side effect.
- Not being able to achieve the desired breast size.
With any surgical procedure, there are risks involved and most problems are easily treated and settle with time. Generally speaking, cosmetic surgery is quite safe as it is sought by healthy and fit individuals seeking improvement in their appearance.
General risks of any surgery include excessive bleeding, reaction to any of the medications (including anaesthesia), infection, poor healing or excessive scarring.
The occurrence of such complications depends mainly on whether you smoke, your general health status, how your body heals, as well as your post-operative recovery. Dr. Verma will discuss all risks and complications with you during a consultation, as well as techniques and medications which can minimize risks.
Recovery after Fat Grafting
Care of your sutures and wounds
You will be provided with detailed instructions by Finesse Cosmetic Surgery with regards to care of your sutures, wounds etc.
Downtime
When will you see results?
Results will be visible after your tissues heal when swelling and bruising subside which may take up to a month. Thus, being patient and optimistic is key to recovery after breast enhancement surgery.
What will be your follow up schedule?
Dr. Verma will see you one week post the operation and then organize subsequent follow-ups according to how you recover. All follow-up visit costs up to three months after the operation are included in the cost of the surgery. Revision surgery for any complications carries an extra charge.
Similar to your consultation visit (see above), Dr. Verma will be taking photographs of your the areas that were operated on in order to document their healing during follow up visits.
How long do the effects of fat grafting last for?
Breast implants, unless there is an issue, generally do not need to be replaced for at least 10 years.