In the past, breast augmentation was the only option when it came to increasing breast size. People who wanted larger breasts would have to undergo surgery to implant silicone or saline into their breasts. This procedure has been around since the 1960s and has been proven to be safe and effective. However, it is not without its drawbacks. The main one being that there is a chance that the implants could rupture or leak.

Fortunately, there has been an alternative method developed by doctors in recent years called fat transfer breast augmentation. This process involves harvesting fat from areas of your body where it is stored (i.e., stomach, thighs) and transferring it to your chest area where you want your breasts enlarged.

Fat transfer breast augmentation is an excellent option for those who would like larger breasts but do not want to undergo traditional surgery because of any number of reasons including fear of pain or scarring from the procedure itself as well as possible complications during recovery time afterwards such as infection or even death due to anesthesia overdose during surgery (which can happen if too much anesthesia is given). Because there are no stitches involved in this type of procedure there

Breast Augmentation Using Fat Transfer

What is fat transfer breast augmentation?

Fat transfer breast augmentation essentially uses liposuction to take fat from other parts of your body and inject it into your breasts. This is a breast augmentation option for women who are looking for a relatively small increase in breast size and would prefer natural results.

Significant research on fat transfer breast augmentation has been done:

• Pre-Expansion Technique Allows Successful Mega-Volume Fat Transfer to the Breasts
• Fat Transfer Provides Alternative to Breast Implants
• New Technique Doubles Breast Size Using Patient’s Own Fat

What are the risks of fat transfer breast augmentation?

Fat transfer breast augmentation risks include:

• Cysts
• Infection
• Microcalcification
• Necrosis (death) of fat cells
• Possibility that some of the transferred fat cells will leave the breast area

Your plastic surgeon may also have you use a tissue expansion system during the weeks before your breast augmentation surgery to improve your results. You may have to have touch-up injections to retain your improved shape if you choose this surgery.

How do I choose a plastic surgeon for fat transfer breast augmentation?

Breast augmentation involves many choices. The first and most important is selecting a board-certified plastic surgeon you can trust who is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

ASPS member surgeons meet rigorous standards:

• Board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery^® (ABPS) or in Canada by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada^®
• Complete at least six years of surgical training following medical school with a minimum of three years of plastic surgery residency training
• Pass comprehensive oral and written exams
• Graduate from an accredited medical school
• Complete continuing medical education, including patient safety, each year
• Perform surgery in accredited, state-licensed or Medicare-certified surgical facilities

Do not be confused by other official-sounding boards and certifications.

The ABPS is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), which has approved medical specialty boards since 1934. There is no ABMS recognized certifying board with “cosmetic surgery” in its name.

By choosing a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, you can be assured that you are choosing a qualified, highly trained plastic surgeon who is board certified by the ABPS or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

How Long Does A Fat Transfer Last?

Before we dive into answering “how long does a fat transfer last?”, let’s talk about what a fat transfer is and what the procedure involves.

What is a fat transfer?

The term fat transfer – also known as Autologous Fat Transfer and Fat Grafting – refers to the process of taking fat from a donor area, purifying it, then injecting it into a targeted area to build youthful fullness. Fat transfer is a wonderful way to use excess fat to restore youthful volume to the face, hands, breasts, and body naturally.

Because fat transfer is one of the trickier cosmetic procedures, the key to successful, long-term results is selecting the right surgeon.  Whether you are interested in a fat transfer, breast augmentation, facial fat grafting, or something else, only a highly- skilled, board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience and talent can provide you with the youthful appearance you desire.

What is involved in a fat transfer procedure?

In a fat transfer procedure, the fat grafting process involves 3 main steps:

Collection

First, fat from the donor sites must be collected in a way that keeps most of the cells alive and unharmed. Like a typical liposuction procedure, fat cells are extracted with a thin cannula, except with Fat Transfer procedures, suction and pressure is applied very slowly and gently, to protect the cells.

Process

Next, the fat is processed to separate the good, living cells from all the other parts extracted. At Belcara Health, our surgeons use a centrifugation process in which the cells are spun at a high speed – proven to be the most effective method of eliminating unwanted excess fluids and dead cells.

Fat injection

Then, your surgeon will apply the purified fat to the areas targeted for enhancement. Again, the technique, experience, and skill of the surgeon are critical to the success of your results. Fat cells must be injected with low pressure and in small amounts so that they can connect with the surrounding tissues and establish a blood supply quickly.

Fat transfer surgeons often slightly overfill the targeted area because it is normal for a certain percentage of cells to not survive.

Fat transfer recovery

It is important to protect the fat cells after they have been injected by minimizing swelling. This is also critical to a speedy recovery from a fat transfer surgery. 

For fat transfer breast augmentations and body fat grafting procedures, supportive garments should be worn for at least four weeks. 

For facial fat transfer procedures, we recommend patients sleep on their back with their heads elevated. Cool compresses and anti-inflammatory medications are also very helpful in the prevention of swelling.

It is critical that each step of the fat transfer procedure is performed with great care. The board-certified plastic surgeons at Belcara Health have the experience, expertise, and artistic talent to help you achieve a naturally enhanced, more youthful appearance.

How much does a fat transfer cost?

A fat transfer in Baltimore cost varies, depending on the patient and procedure at hand. Fat transfer procedures begin at $8,000. It is important to note that this is a general estimate only

How long does a fat transfer last?

Once the fat transfer procedure is done you can expect that after about six months, the fat cells remaining should be enduringly established and last a lifetime. It is important to remember that time does march on and you will continue to age. You may want to consider additional treatments to continue looking youthful.