Treatment
Over time, the fat found in the subcutaneous tissue, beneath the skin, gradually disappears, especially in the face and hands.
Ageing causes visible changes in the face, such as sunken eyes and a loss of volume and definition in the cheekbones and jawline. These signs appear because of the loss of underlying fat, which leads to the sagging of tissues.
To correct these alterations—as well as other issues stemming from a lack of body volume (e.g., small breasts, chin, or buttocks)—we use lipostructure or fat grafting/filling.
Lipostructure is a technique that uses the patient's own fat as a natural filler material to add volume and contour to various areas of the body.
Because the patient's own fat is used as an autologous filler material for volume restoration and reshaping, it ensures complete biocompatibility and prevents any adverse reactions or rejection. Autologous fat can be defined as the best filling material and is not harmful to the body.
Proper fat implantation technique is essential for maximising fat cell survival and, consequently, ensuring the longevity of the volume achieved by preventing its eventual reabsorption.
Intervention time
The duration of a breast augmentation procedure using the patient's own fat depends on where the patient has fat reserves. Some people are slightly overweight, making it easier to extract the fat, and the procedure could take between two and two and a half hours; however, there are slimmer patients from whom it is more difficult to remove the fat, and the procedure would take between three and three and a half hours.
Admission
Depending on each individual's particular circumstances, the patient may be discharged on the day of the operation, approximately six hours after surgery.
Recovery after fat transfer breast augmentation surgery
There is no breast discomfort after the operation. The patient's recovery is rapid. There may be some very mild discomfort in the area where the fat was removed.
Effect
The effect of the surgery is immediate because, as it is the body's own fat, the body quickly assimilates that volume.
Results
The final result is observable once the swelling has disappeared and only the remaining fat, integrated by the body, contributes to the volume increase.
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What does fat transfer breast augmentation involve?
Fat transfer breast augmentation involves injecting or grafting small amounts of fat into different layers so that this fat integrates with the fat already present in the breast to give it greater volume.
The most common donor areas are:
1. Abdomen
2. Inner thighs
3. Knees
4. Trochanters (saddlebags)
5. Double chin
The first step is to carefully disinfect the treatment area. The fatty tissue is then collected via suction using a small, blunt-tipped cannula. This cannula is attached to a Luer-Lock syringe, which provides just enough negative pressure to collect the fat without damaging the cells.
Next, the collected fatty tissue is centrifuged. This spins the material to separate it into three layers: oil (fatty acids), pure fat (for injection), and anaesthetic fluids and blood. The pure fat is then removed and isolated. This purification process is highly efficient: for every 10 cc of material aspirated, we typically obtain 3 cc to 7 cc of pure fat with excellent viability for survival.
To obtain the fatty tissue and subsequently implant it, sedation and local anaesthesia of the donor area are required, and/or general anaesthesia depending on the patient and the amount of fat needed in each case.
Ensuring long-lasting results and preventing fat reabsorption relies on the precise injection or grafting of the fat tissue. This is performed intramuscularly and subcutaneously through minimal incisions adjacent to the target site. A micro-cannula is used to deposit small implants, creating fatty strands approximately 1 mm in diameter, with a minimum distance of 2 mm between them to ensure their subsequent survival.
After completing the implant, we will immobilise the graft for 7 to 10 days with a paper adhesive bandage. Compression bandages will be used on the donor area.
In most cases, only one treatment session is necessary, although some patients require more than one to achieve the desired result, especially in cases where large volumes of fatty tissue are needed to correct the defect.
Furthermore, it should be noted that with this technique, breast augmentation will be moderate; it cannot be very large or dramatic, as it only allows for an increase up to certain volumes, which will never exceed 200 cc.
Benefits of fat transfer breast augmentation
The main benefit of fat transfer breast augmentation is that it is permanent and there is no need to replace the implants. It is a very natural-looking augmentation because the patient's own fat is used as filler material to restore and add volume or reshape, thus avoiding any possible rejection or incompatibility.
In addition to increasing breast volume, there is also an aesthetic improvement in the rest of the silhouette because excess fat has been removed from other parts of the body.
Preoperative
As with all surgical procedures, it is essential to undergo a medical examination beforehand to detect any abnormalities that could contraindicate the operation.
Patients undergoing this procedure require the same tests as any other breast augmentation: blood tests, chest X-ray, and electrocardiogram. A mammogram is also required to assess the breast's condition before the procedure, even for young patients.
Fat transfer breast augmentation is a meticulous technique requiring a minimum volume of fat extraction to achieve optimal results. Success hinges on a thorough analysis of factors including fat volume, breast projection, the patient's physical constitution, and skin quality.
Postoperative care following fat transfer surgery
The postoperative period for fat transfer breast augmentation is straightforward. Patients are provided with a soft, non-constricting bra and a compression garment for the donor area to ensure proper healing and contouring.
In the case of breast augmentation, the following should be noted:
1. According to currently available data, the injection of purified fat into the breast does not alter the risk of breast cancer in any way. Benign calcifications may appear, but an expert radiologist, using a high-quality mammograph (or imaging equipment), can easily distinguish them from suspicious calcifications based on their shape and location.
2. Oily cysts may appear, which are benign, but are sometimes palpable or may require a puncture for evaluation.
F.A.Q.
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What requirements must I meet to be a candidate for fat transfer breast augmentation?
The donor areas must have sufficient adipose tissue. It should be noted that only 30-40% of what is extracted is of sufficient quality to be transplanted.
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From which areas is fat extracted? Are some areas better than others?
The most common areas are the abdomen, flanks, and hips, depending on each individual's body characteristics.
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What happens to my fat once it has been extracted?
It is centrifuged or filtered to obtain pure fat for subsequent infiltration.
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What is done with the extracted and leftover fat?
The cryopreservation of excess fat is possible, utilizing the same methods employed for blood and other biological tissues. This way, we can perform a touch-up without having to perform liposuction again.
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How many sizes can I gain by using my own fat?
Normally, you gain one size with augmentation using your own fat. If you want to increase your size considerably, there are hybrid augmentations that are done with your own fat and an implant.
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What happens if I lose weight after the augmentation? Will I also lose fat from my chest?
Adipose tissue is living tissue, so its cells behave like any other cells in the body. If you lose weight, your cells will reduce in size, and vice versa if you gain weight. The number of cells remains stable. We all know that when you lose weight, some areas slim down faster than others. Some women will lose facial fat before breast fat, for example. This cannot be predicted.
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Is the postoperative period more or less painful than with an implant?
The breast is swollen, but the pain is much less than with breast augmentation using implants. Postoperative discomfort is typically most pronounced in the fat harvesting site (donor area). Can I have breast augmentation with implants after the procedure with my own fat?
Yes. There will be no problem. A smaller implant will be required because volume has already been gained with the previous fat, and there will also be more coverage and that fat will not be lost. Normally, between 60% and 70% is integrated, but if the technique is good, it can reach up to 80%. -
Is this procedure safe?
Yes, and it has been a highly sought-after technique in recent years. However, it must be performed exclusively by a plastic surgeon. As with any procedure, during an initial assessment visit, the surgeon will explain the risks and benefits of the procedure.
Expert opinion
Because the patient's own fat is used as an autologous filler material for volume restoration and reshaping, it ensures complete biocompatibility and prevents any adverse reactions or rejection. Arguably the superior filler material, autologous fat is the least harmful to the body, leading to consistently high patient satisfaction rates.
The use of the patient's own fat to increase breast volume is an excellent choice if you want a moderate increase in volume and a completely natural result, both in terms of appearance and feel. The procedure yields a synergistic effect, enhancing the body's silhouette and increasing breast volume.
Furthermore, by avoiding the use of breast prostheses, we rule out possible rejections and complications arising from the use of implants.
Because the patient's own fat is used as an autologous filler material for volume restoration and reshaping, it ensures complete biocompatibility and prevents any adverse reactions or rejection. In addition to enhancing the breasts, the procedure provides a second benefit by also improving the appearance of the donor area where the fat was removed.
If you are seeking a breast augmentation that is not too excessive, with a natural appearance, minimal residual scarring, and without the potential complications of breast implants, this is the perfect surgery for you.
Fat transfer breast augmentation surgery is the ideal choice for women who wish to increase their breast size by just one cup size. The results are completely natural, the breasts gain volume and regain their firmness and consistency, avoiding any scarring and possible rejection or incompatibility. This technique has added value in that, in addition to improving the appearance of the breasts, it also improves the area where the excess fat has been removed.
Related treatments
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Breast augmentation with prosthesis
Augmentation mammoplasty is improving the volume and shape of female breasts, achieving an aesthetic improvement that will make you feel better about yourself. -
Hybrid Breast Augmentation
The hybrid breast augmentation brings us closer to the best possible perfect and natural breast -
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