What does enlarging the breasts or buttocks with fat mean?
Enlarging the breasts or buttocks with fat grafting is a natural way to correct the shape of breasts or the shape and size of hips. The size of the breasts or buttocks can be increased, and the shape made rounder with fat cells.
Fat transfer to the breast can be used to correct, for example
- small breasts
- no breasts
- size differences between the breasts
- malformation
- malformation after breast cancer
Fat transfer to the breast can be done together with breast lift surgery, mastopexy.
Fat transfer to buttocks, commonly known as Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL), is typically done to a slim person, whose fat cells are concentrated to the waist area, wishing for more shape and volume to the bony, boyish hip area.
Fat transfer gives permanent results
The biggest difference between fat transfer and augmentation using implants is reusing the body’s own fat cells.
Fat transfer to the breast or buttocks allows excess fat to be transferred to a desired area on the body. This way, two procedures can be done together in one operation.
Moreover, some benefits of transferring the body’s own tissue, such as body fat, are a reduced risk of infections and long-lasting results.
Who does fat transfer suit?
Enlarging the breast or buttocks suits situations, where more volume and rounder shape is desired to the hips or chest.
A consultation with a plastic surgeon before surgery is required to evaluate if fat transfer is suitable for you.
At the consultation, the plastic surgeon evaluates if the desired results are achievable with fat transfer based on the pre-existing tissue and the quality of it. The surgeon examines possible areas to collect fat from and the amount of it as well.
We always perform fat transfer surgeries with caution and care, and we never risk the client’s health to achieve extreme results.
More Information
Fat Transfer
Fat transfer is done either under general anesthesia or local anesthesia. If the surgery is done under general anesthesia, you must not eat or drink for six hours before the surgery.
The surgeon makes the necessary plans on the skin with a marker before the surgery while the client is in an upright position. The goal is always to achieve the most symmetrical result possible, and breasts that are different in size or level are balanced as well as possible.
The Procedure
The procedure typically lasts 2–3 hours. The duration is affected by any procedures combined with the surgery, such as breast lift.
The procedure can almost always be done as day surgery, meaning that you can go home the same day. However, when leaving after surgery, you must have someone to accompany you and stay with you for the first night after general anesthesia.
At the end of the surgery, compression garments are placed on the areas where fat was collected. They reduce excess tissue swelling. Compression garments are typically used for approximately 2–4 weeks.
Recovering from Fat Transfer
There is no severe pain after the procedure. However, painkillers may be needed during the first few days after surgery.
After surgery, both the liposuction area and the breasts or buttocks are swollen. The swelling gradually disappears over the following few weeks.
The fat collection areas may be painful for several weeks after the procedure, depending on their location. As the tissues recover and the scar softens, occasional internal stinging sensations in the fat collection area are typical even for a few months after surgery.
Small uneven areas in the adipose tissue of the collection area are possible. However, these uneven areas typically disappear over time within a few months.
The breasts reach their final shape 2–3 months after surgery.
Some of the transferred fat disappears during the first two weeks, and the final “take” of the fat can be seen during the first months after surgery. To evaluate the final result, the doctor’s follow-up appointment is typically scheduled 4–6 months after surgery.
Physical Recovery and Exercise
The length of recovery leave is typically approximately 1–2 weeks. The length is decided individually.
If fat is transferred to the breast, heavy lifting, strong use of the pectoral muscles, and extreme movements of the arms should be avoided for the first week after surgery.
If fat is transferred to the buttocks, sitting on the area in a reclined position, lying on your back, or sleeping on your back is prohibited for up to 4 weeks. New blood vessels grow into the area during the first two weeks, and after that, we want to be careful to ensure that the area is not flattened by pressure.
Heavy straining and jumping should be avoided for the first 2 weeks. Exercise can be started gradually approximately 2–4 weeks after surgery. When returning to exercise, very supportive sports bras or support bras should be worn.
Stitches and Supporting Tape
Dissolving stitches are mainly used to close the wounds, and they do not need to be removed.
Supporting tape should be continued for 1–2 months after the procedure to make the scars as unnoticeable as possible. We will provide instructions for scar treatment after supporting tape to optimize the aesthetic result.
Possible Complications of Fat Transfer
Surgical procedures always involve risks. In fat transfer, the greatest risks of complications are related to tissue blood circulation, hematomas, and possible infections.
Blood Circulation and Hematomas
As a result of surgery, the skin has bruises. Sometimes, hematomas can be larger.
If blood leaks inside the breast after surgery, it can cause pressure symptoms, and it may even need to be removed in a new surgery. This does not affect the final aesthetic result of the breast, but it may slightly slow down recovery from surgery.
Buttock fat transfer has been reported to have caused even deaths in North America. These cases have been caused by fat embolism, meaning fat entering large blood vessels. This risk is very close to zero in small buttock fat transfers performed moderately and in the correct tissue layer.
However, the risk is a reminder that every procedure can also involve unexpected complications. Even a small procedure should not be undergone without being well informed about the risks of the procedure and the surgeon’s background.
Infections
Although surgery is performed under sterile conditions, bacteria on the skin can pass through the surgical wound and cause infection in the tissues even after surgery.
Minor infections can often be treated with medication. In rare cases, a more severe infection may even lead to revision surgery, in which the tissues are cleaned in the operating room.
You will receive more information about possible complications during the surgical evaluation appointment.
An excellent information package about body fat transfer can also be found on the website of our partner, Hilkka Peltoniemi, a pioneer in aesthetic plastic surgery: https://www.hilkkapeltoniemi.fi/rintojenrasvansiirto
