Breast Fat Transfer

What are the risks and side effects of fat transfer breast augmentation?

A fat transfer breast augmentation is a surgical procedure, and all surgeries have risks, side effects, and potential complications, which must always be considered. Some possible risks, side effects, and complications from having Vaser Liposuction and fat grafting surgery can include, but are not limited to:

• Pain and aching
• Bruising and bleeding
• Persistent swelling
• Delayed healing
• Infection
• Poor scarring
• Asymmetry/uneven appearance
• Unsatisfactory results
• Breast cysts
• Changes in skin sensation and numbness
• Blood clots
• Death of fat cells, resulting in the need for revision surgery
• Fat emboli and/or pulmonary embolism

Will breast fat transfer increase my risk of breast cancer?

There is no proof that a fat transfer into the breast has any impact on breast cancer, although there is also no proof that it does not. This procedure has been widely accepted in Europe and Japan for over 20 years. RACS has stated that fat transfer into the breast is as safe as other breast enlargements techniques. RACS has also stated that the fat injected into the breast does not make it more difficult to detect breast cancer.

It is important to note there is a risk of fat necrosis 1.2% chance, calcification 5% chance, cysts 6.5% chance, and infection 1% chance (Orholt et al, 2020). After having a procedure, we always advise that you tell the radiologist that you have had a fat transfer to the breast when you go for a mammogram. This ensures the technician is aware when reviewing the findings to observe for differences between calcification and breast cancer.

Are there other fat extraction and transfer methods available?

Our doctors, Dr Mitchell Kim (Gold Coast) and Dr Erfan Rahbar (Adelaide), have been trained in the BodyJet fat grafting technique, by German specialist plastic surgeons Dr Klaus Ueberreiter and Dr Harmut Meyer. Both doctors travelled from Germany to spend time at Cosmos Aesthetics, teaching our doctors the safest and best way to prepare and inject fat into the breast.

Further training was undertaken at the Miami Breast Centre in Florida USA, with specialist plastic surgeon Dr Roger Khoury, using Vaser Lipo instead of BodyJet for the fat extraction method. At Cosmos Aesthetics we now use Vaser Liposuction for all our fat grafting procedures, including autologous fat transfer to the breasts.

When is a breast fat transfer a better option than breast implants?

Fat transfer to breasts is a cosmetic procedure which may be a suitable option for patients seeking a subtle breast enhancement, with a modest 1 to 1 ½ cup size increase. Patients who prefer a more natural look and breast shape, may find that transferring fat into the area fits their needs better than traditional silicone breast implants. Additional benefits of having a fat transfer to breast can include:

• No unnatural materials used, or foreign bodies inserted into the breasts.
• Vaser Lipo uses keyhole entry via small incision sites.
• Body contouring and fat removal in the donor areas of the body.
• More subtle and natural results versus traditional silicone implants.
• No potential implant related illnesses or complications including capsular contraction.

When are breast implants a better option than a breast fat transfer?

Breast augmentation with silicone implants may be the better option for women who don’t have the excess fat required for transfer, who want cleavage and upper pole height, and who want a more noticeable and significant size increase in combination with the lifting benefit implants provide. Additional benefits of traditional silicone breast implant surgery can also include:

• Backed by decades of research.
• Suitable option for a wider range of patients.
• Implants can be removed if required.
• Multiple rounds of surgery are not normally needed to get the size increase desired.
• Easier to predict the final results of the breast size that can potentially be achieved.
• Breast implant surgery can be combined in the same procedure with a breast lift.

Will I have visible scars after my breast fat transfer?

All surgery will leave some form of scar. However, breast fat grafting with Vaser Lipo is performed through small keyhole incision sites in each of the areas of your body being treated leaving minimal scarring when compared to more invasive methods. The final appearance of any scars left from the incisions will vary depending on individual factors including past scarring.

How many fat transfers will I need?

When considering breast augmentation surgery with fat, you need to keep in mind that not all of the fat will survive the transfer process. In order to survive, the transferred fat will need to establish a new blood supply to the body and tissue. The retention rate of the fat cells extracted with Vaser Lipo and transferred into the breast, is an average 50% survival rate.

Depending on multiple factors, you may need multiple rounds of breast fat transfer surgery to achieve your desired result outcome. Patients wanting a significant increase in breast size, may need multiple rounds of surgery. Fat transfer procedures can be scheduled three to six months apart.

When will I see the final results after having surgery?

An initial increase in the size of your breasts can be noticed following surgery, this is mainly due to post-operative swelling. As the swelling subsides, your new breast shape and size will slowly begin to settle. You can expect your results to begin to appear around six weeks post-procedure, with the final results from having surgery with Vaser Lipo visible after around six months.