Breast Fat Transfer (Graft) in Greater San Antonio
What is fat transfer?
Fat transfer or grafting to the breast is one of the more exciting current techniques in breast surgery. Fat grafting involves obtaining or harvesting fat cells from one part of the body (typically abdomen or thighs) by liposuction, and then the fat is injected into the breast tissue. The fat will then be able to provide bulk for breast enlargement, like augmentation with fat! A natural breast shape can also be created depending on the amount of fat transferred.
Not only can fat transfer be used in for primary breast augmentation, it can also be used in implant revision surgery, for instance, to help mask or camouflage an existing implant. Depending on the volume of fat moved, implant rippling and breast feel can improve. The procedure can be repeated as many times as necessary as long as there are adequate donor sites.
Better still, the recovery for 'autologous fat grafting' is fairly straight-forward, and is essentially the same as cosmetic liposuction. Many patients see fat transfer breast augmentation as two surgeries in one: improving the look and feel of their breasts while also contouring their bellies or thighs! Fat Transfer Surgeons in San Antonio, Dr. Albright notes very high patient satisfaction when combining fat grafting with other cosmetic procedures.
Fat grafting is an excellent stand-alone or adjunct procedure for cosmetic breast surgery, such as breast augmentation, breast implant adjustment, breast lifts. and fat transfer to butt lift. With fat grafting, we are using your own tissue to provide breast volume and increase cup size. For breast lifts, the grafted fat can provide more volume to the top of the breast and help with overall breast shape/contour. The fat when strategically placed can help improve implant step offs and visible implant rippling.
Breast reconstruction patients also benefit from fat grafting. By increasing the soft tissue coverage in the reconstructed breast, fat grafting helps create a more natural feeling and looking breast. It can be used to help achieve better symmetry when trying to match your other nonreconstructed ‘native’ breast. Furthermore, many surgeons believe fat grafting can also improve the quality of the breast skin after radiation treatment, although this is still being studied.
Call today and make an appointment with award-winning plastic surgery in San Antonio, TX: (210)-670-5302.
Breast Fat Transfer FAQ’s
Is fat grafting safe in the breast?
So my fat is used instead of a regular breast implant?
What are the downsides of fat grafting to the breasts?
When will I see my final results after fat grafting to the breasts?
What are the scars like from breast augmentation fat transfer?
Can I pick where I take the fat from?
For these reasons, Dr. Albright does not recommend taking it from the back, unless that is the only place on your body with adequate supply. Most commonly patients will have adequate and bothersome fat deposits that are more safely accessed, like the belly or the thighs. Still have questions, come see us today to discuss.
I've heard that there are strange suction-cups that you wear on your breasts before fat grafting, is this true?
Dr. Albright finds that patient's are not interested in wearing these preoperative devices due to inconvenience and cost. Additionally, Dr. Albright finds that his patients have less fat graft survival with high volume fat transfers to the breasts. Finally, if you were to transfer truly large volumes of fat to the breast, the breast will behave more like a large fatty breast... Which is to say, that the breast will likely hang over time. This is because fat does not maintain its shape like an implant.
I've heard that there have been deaths from fat grafting!?!
Unlike the buttock/pelvis, the vessels of the breast are smaller and less likely to be injured with the smaller blunt tip injecting cannulas used for the breast. This is another reason Dr. Albright does not perform high-volume fat transfer to the breast, so as to limit the risk of vessel injury and fat emoblization.