What is breast fat grafting?
Breast augmentation done with the client’s own bodyfat is a natural way to correct the size and shape of the breast. The size of the breast can be enlarged, and the shape rounded using fat cells.
The most significant difference to augmentation done with implants is the reuse of the client’s own fat cells. Breast fat grafting allows transferring excess body fat to the breasts, making two procedures at once possible
Breast fat grafting can be used to correct, for example
- small breasts
- absence of breasts
- size differences in breasts
- malformation
- malformation after breast cancer
Who does breast fat grafting suit?
Breast augmentation with fat suits situations, in which more volume and roundness to the breasts is desired.
An appointment with the plastic surgeon to plan the procedure is crucial to evaluate if fat grafting is suitable for you specifically.
At the appointment it can be evaluated seeing the existing breast tissue and the quality of it, if fat grafting would have the desired effect. The surgeon evaluates the possible areas to collect fat from as well as the amount of fat to transfer.
More Information
Breast Fat Grafting – The Procedure
Before surgery, you must not eat or drink for six hours. Before surgery, the surgeon makes the necessary markings on the skin with a marker while the client is standing upright.
The procedure can be performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia. The procedure usually takes 1–2 hours. The duration is affected by any procedures combined with the surgery, such as a breast lift.
The goal of surgery is always to achieve the most symmetrical result possible, and breasts of different sizes or levels are corrected to make them as even as possible. At the end of the surgery, compression garments are applied to the fat harvesting areas to reduce excess tissue swelling.
The procedure can almost always be performed as day surgery, meaning the client can return home on the same day. However, when you are discharged after surgery, you must have someone to accompany you, and this person must also stay with you for the first night.
Recovery After Breast Augmentation Surgery
After the procedure, pain is not severe. However, pain medication may be needed during the first few days after surgery.
After surgery, the breasts are swollen. The swelling gradually subsides over the following few weeks. The breasts reach their final shape 2–3 months after surgery.
As the tissues recover, occasional sharp pains inside the breast are typical even for a few months after surgery.
The fat harvesting areas may be painful for several weeks after the procedure, depending on their location, and small irregularities in the fat tissue of the harvesting area are possible. However, these irregularities typically disappear over time.
Some of the transferred fat disappears during the first two weeks, and the final “take” of the fat can be seen during the first few months after surgery.
The length of sick leave is typically approximately 1–2 weeks. The length is decided individually.
Using Compression Garments and Exercise
Compression garments are typically worn for approximately 2 weeks.
After surgery, heavy lifting, strong use of the pectoral muscles, and extreme arm movements should be avoided for the first week. Heavy straining and jumping should be avoided for the first month.
Exercise can be started gradually approximately one month after surgery. When returning to exercise, a very supportive sports bra or supportive bra should be worn.
Stitches and Supportive Taping
The wounds are mainly closed with dissolvable stitches that do not need to be removed.
Supportive taping of the wounds should be continued for 2–3 months after the procedure so that the scars become as unnoticeable as possible. We will provide instructions for the best scar care after supportive taping.
Possible Complications of Breast Augmentation Surgery
Surgical procedures always involve risks. In breast augmentation, the greatest risks of complications are related to tissue hematomas and possible infections.
Hematomas
Bruising occurs on the skin as a result of surgery. Sometimes hematomas can be larger.
If blood leaks into the breast after surgery, it may cause pressure symptoms and may even need to be removed in a new surgery. This does not affect the final aesthetic result of the breast, but it does slow down recovery from surgery slightly.
Infections
Although surgery is performed under sterile conditions, bacteria on the skin can enter 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 repeat surgery, in which the tissues are cleaned in the operating room.
More information about possible complications will be provided during the surgical assessment appointment.
