Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer

 Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer

It is normal for women with smaller breasts to covet fuller and bigger breasts. However, not all women want to undergo highly invasive procedures like breast augmentation through implants to increase the size of their breasts. For such women, what could be a better technique than the one that involves minimum surgical invasion and uses their own body tissue to introduce fullness?

Breast augmentation with fat transfer in Dubai not only enlarges breasts but also decreases the fat deposits in the donor areas. In this way, one can obtain several benefits from a single procedure.

What is Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer?

Breast augmentation with fat transfer, also known as autologous breast augmentation and augmentation mammoplasty, is a less-invasive cosmetic procedure for breast augmentation. It is done to enhance the size and shape of the breasts with the help of fat grafting. During the surgery, fat is harvested from the fatty areas of the body and eventually transferred to the breasts to increase their size.

Breast augmentation with fat transfer is carried out in two steps:

· Liposuction; suctioning out of fat with the help of a cannula

· Fat infiltration; injecting fat into the desired areas (breasts)

The surgery provides the following benefits to the patients:

· Sculpting of donor sites into more contoured shapes

· Fuller, natural-looking breasts

· Minimum downtime

· Less invasive in nature

· Permanent reduction in the number of unwanted fat cells present in different areas of the body

· Minimal risk of infection and excessive bleeding

It should be mentioned that breast augmentation with fat transfer does not bring about dramatic breast enlargement. It is an appropriate procedure for those who want a little boost in their breast size.

Pre-operative Preparation

The procedure starts with a consultation session with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who, after examining your medical history, determines your suitability for the surgery.

Before the surgery, your Plastic Surgeon will take pictures of your breasts and donor sites from different angles for future reference purposes. They will also carefully mark the areas that have to be treated with liposuction.

Liposuction areas can be:

· Abdomen

· Thigh region

· Flanks

· Upper arms, etc.

Procedure of the Surgery

Breast augmentation with fat transfer can be performed under either local anesthesia or general anesthesia. The whole procedure takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. However, the time can vary depending on the number of areas that have to be treated. 

The surgery begins as your Plastic Surgeon makes a small incision over the donor site to enter a tube-like device, called a cannula. The cannula is usually 3mm in diameter and is attached to a 20-mL syringe. This device plays an instrumental role in suctioning out the fat from the fat pockets with the help of a surgical vacuum or syringe.  

Body fat is mostly located just beneath the skin layers and above the muscle tissue. The Plastic Surgeon makes their way to these fatty areas with the help of the cannula. At this point, the process of liposuction begins.

The process can be done in three ways:

· Tumescent Liposuction

· Laser-Assisted Liposuction

· Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction

In the case of Tumescent Liposuction, a specific solution is used to prepare the area for fat harvesting.

Tumescent composition:

· Lidocaine

· Epinephrine

· Saline

Tumescent numbs the treatment area, prevents excessive bleeding, and expands the fat tissue – making it easier to harvest fat cells. That’s why Plastic Surgeons pause for a few minutes after injecting the tumescent fluid to allow the area to become fully numb.

Tunnels made in fat deposit layers through the cannula, eventually close over the span of a few weeks resulting in reshaped contours and a slimmer look. Once Plastic Surgeons harvest the fat, they proceed to the next step of processing the fat cells.

A sterile container is used to process the aspirate. It usually contains a cotton gauze layer that filters the fat i.e., separates non-fat cells from the fat cells. The collected fat is also washed with a cool solution of saline to remove impurities (for example, blood) and retain its health. Finally, the washed fat is dried with the help of cotton pads which makes it semi-solid in form.

Now, the Plastic Surgeon makes an incision on the lateral side of the breast fold. Tumescent solution is then introduced in its subcutaneous layer. For injecting fat, a different one-hole cannula and syringe are used. The cannula passes through a 3mm incision that was drawn on the inframammary fold. The processed fat is evenly distributed in the form of fine, cylindrical strips in the breast but in multiple planes.

Plastic Surgeons mold the injected fat a bit to make it appear smooth and evenly disturbed. Finally, the incisions are closed with the help of sutures. Absorbent pads are also applied to protect the incision sites.

Recovery Phase 

Plastic Surgeons provide the following post-operative care instructions to the patients after the surgery:

· Wear compression garments for a few weeks to:

- Provide support

- Reduce swelling

· Cold compresses can be used to decrease the pain

· Avoid strenuous activities for 3 to 7 day

· Do not massage your breasts or put high pressure on them for 3 months at least

Most patients are usually discharged on the day of the surgery. They can return to routine within 7-10 days. However, you will have to wait for 3-6 months at least before you can observe the results in full scale. 

Want to Know More?

Contact our patient care team if you want to discuss your options and suitability regarding the treatment. Our Board Certified Plastic Surgeon at Al Shunnar Plastic Surgery will help you devise a tailor-made plan for yourself.