Breast Fat Transfer

At Cosmos Clinic, we offer breast fat transfer as a method to change your breast size and shape using your body’s own fat. This procedure involves harvesting fat from areas like the abdomen or thighs through Vaser Liposuction, purifying it, and then injecting it into the breasts to change their shape.

Procedure Overview

• Fat Harvesting: Using Vaser Liposuction, fat is removed from donor areas.
• Purification: The extracted fat is processed to isolate healthy fat cells suitable for transfer.
• Injection: The purified fat is injected into specific areas of the breasts to change the shape and size.

How long does the procedure take?

The length of time Vaser Liposuction with fat grafting can take will vary from two to four hours on average. This time range is dependent on many factors including the needs of the individual, the number of areas of the body being treated, and the amount of fat being transferred.

Candidates for a breast fat transfer

Criteria considered for suitability includes, but is not limited to:

• You are in good physical and mental health.
• You have realistic expectations regarding the results a fat transfer procedure can achieve.
• You understand fat injections to the breasts produces a subtle result, and more than one round of surgery may be necessary.
• You have good skin elasticity.
• You have enough excess fat in suitable areas of your body to extract using Vaser liposuction
• You do not have any blood circulation problems.
• You are a non-smoker or are willing to quit before and after surgery.

It is essential to understand that having realistic result expectations and understanding that multiple rounds of fat transfer surgery may be required, are essential components of being considered a good candidate for this cosmetic procedure.

Are there any additional requirements to have surgery?

Before being able to book cosmetic surgery in Australia there are specific requirements that all individuals must meet. These include obtaining a referral from a General Practitioner (GP), attending two initial consultations a minimum seven days apart, including one consultation in-person with the doctor who will be conducting the surgery, and observing a mandatory minimum seven day cooling off period after the second consultation.

How much does a breast fat transfer cost?

We understand that the cost to have cosmetic surgery in Australia is an element patients will consider in their decision-making process. Breast augmentation procedures using your own fat do not fit a one-price-fits-all formula, and the price to have a fat grafting procedure varies from patient to patient. The total costs incurred to have your harvested fat transferred into your breasts will depend on multiple factors, including but not limited to:

• The amount of fat to be removed from each donor area.
• The number of areas of the body being treated with liposuction.
• The type of anaesthetic used.
• The amount of time spent in surgery.
• The specific medical needs and surgical requirements of each individual patient.

To receive an exact quote to have a breast fat transfer procedure, please contact our team.

Will breast fat transfer increase my risk of breast cancer?

Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that fat transfer to the breast increases the risk of breast cancer. Similarly, there is no definitive proof that it does not. This procedure has been widely practised in Europe and Japan for over 20 years and is considered as safe as other breast enhancement techniques by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS).

RACS also states that fat transfer does not interfere with breast cancer detection during mammograms. However, fat necrosis (1.2%), calcification (5%), cysts (6.5%), and infection (1%) are potential risks associated with this procedure (Orholt et al., 2020). It is important to inform your radiologist about the fat transfer during mammograms to ensure accurate interpretation of findings.

How many fat transfers will I need?

Not all fat survives the transfer process, with an average survival rate of around 50%. To achieve desired results, some patients may require multiple fat transfer sessions, spaced 3–6 months apart.

Is there any downtime after surgery?

Fat transfer to breasts with Vaser Liposuction is a day-case surgical procedure, and most patients can be discharged to go home on the same day as their procedure. Bruising, swelling, and discomfort, are all to be expected post-procedure. The levels of discomfort experienced will vary, and to help you manage this and be comfortable following surgery, you will be prescribed pain relief medication by your doctor, and provided with detailed post-procedure information.

How long is the recovery time after surgery?

The recovery time needed to rest and recuperate after surgery varies depending on multiple factors. Patients are usually able to resume most light activities around one week post-procedure, whilst strenuous activities including intense exercise should be avoided for around six weeks.

After your fat transfer to breast augmentation surgery, your breasts will be supported in a post-operative bra, and you will need to avoid wearing a regular underwire bra for six weeks. You will also be required to wear compression garments on the areas of your body treated with Vaser Lipo for six weeks (three weeks full-time + three weeks part-time), to minimise swelling and support skin retraction.

How much fat will be transferred into my breasts?

A few hundred millilitres of fat are usually transferred into the breasts to change the shape. The precise amount depends on factors such as the amount of fat extracted from the parts of your body being treated with Vaser Liposuction, and the space available in the breasts. The volume of fat being transferred will be discussed as part of your treatment plan during the consultations.

When will the final results be visible?

You may notice a difference immediately after having a breast fat transfer procedure. Due to at least 50% of the transferred fat cells surviving with the gentle technique we use at Cosmos Clinic, your doctor may transfer a little more fat than required to account for the projected fat cell death. As the weeks and months progress post-surgery, the initial swelling will slowly stabilise and resolve, providing a clearer view of the final results.

Potential Risks

As with any surgical procedure, t’s important to be aware of potential risks, including:

• 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

For a comprehensive understanding of the procedure and to determine if it’s suitable for you, we recommend scheduling a consultation with our experienced medical team. During this appointment, we will discuss your needs, assess your suitability, and provide detailed information on the procedure, recovery, and expected outcomes.

To book an appointment, please contact Cosmos Clinic at 1300-138-797 or email [email protected]. Our team is here to assist you in making an informed decision about your breast augmentation options.