3 Things to Know About Using Your Own Fat for Breast Augmentation

For most women, it sounds too good to be true.  Getting rid of a little fat around the thighs, hips or tummy and using it to get bigger breasts?  Why would anyone ever get implants again?

I recently attended the ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgery) meeting inDenver,Colorado, and there are more recent advances in fat grafting, especially in breast augmentation.  And while fat transfer for breast augmentation is certainly feasible, there are 3 important things patients should know that keep this procedure from being wildly popular.  At least for now.

1. You Have to Be Fat Enough

I know what you're thinking.  Of course, I have enough fat for new breasts!  But you might be surprised how much fat is actually required.

Typically, 2 to 10mL of liposuctioned fat is required to produce 1mL of processed fat.  For a typical 300cc breast implant (about a C cup for most women), you would need about 1.2 pounds of fat.  And that's only for one breast.

You may think you have at least three pounds of fat on you, and you probably do, but it may not all be in one convenient spot that is accessible for liposuction.  

2. Pre and Post-Surgical Breast Preparation

Fat grafting for breast augmentation stretches the existing skin more than an implant does.  For this reason, you have to prepare your breasts by using a device called the BRAVA system.

For a successful fat grafting breast augmentation, you will need to wear two large domes over your breasts that create suction for approximately 6-10 hours a day, every day, for three weeks.  This stretches the skin and starts the process of new breast tissue growth.  Surgeons have found that skipping the BRAVA system before surgery does not stretch the skin enough to accommodate the fat.

After surgery, some surgeons recommend wearing the BRAVA system again to encourage the skin, breast tissue and fat to expand. 

3. Fat Grafting Risks

There are some surgical risks specific to fat grafting.  They include:

• The fat being reabsorbed into the body
• The fat losing its volume and thinning out
• A risk of calcification, which is when the grafted fat forms a scar
• Inconsistent results

Technology continues to improve for breast augmentations that use a patient's own fat.  But for now, there are still some significant drawbacks and inconveniences associated with fat grafting for breast augmentation.

About the Author

Dr. Kim is a board certified, plastic surgeon in San Francisco, California. To learn more about Dr. Kim, go to his official webpage: www.drkim.com. You can also like him on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DrRoyKim or follow him on Twitter: www.twitter.com/drroykim.

How to Reduce Chin and Neck Fat Without a Neck Lift

Have you tried everything to get rid of the fat between your chin and neck without any success?  Do you hate the way it makes you look overweight even though the rest of your body is not?  Do you feel too young to have an old neck? 

Don't fret.  It's not you.  It's most likely just a case of unlucky genetics.  Some people are more predisposed to getting fat deposits near their chin and necks, and getting rid of them is not easy.  Diet and exercise usually don't help.

Luckily, there is a new noninvasive procedure that can banish your chin and neck fat and give you a great jawline once and for all.  It's called the iGuide system, and the whole procedure only takes about an hour.

What is iGuide?

iGuide is a new technology that allows plastic surgeons like me to give patients a defined jaw and neck area using only local anesthesia.  Here's how it works. 

I make a tiny incision under your chin (about 3mm) to remove excess fat before using a long, nylon suture like a shoestring to weave a continuous thread back and forth from jaw bone to jaw bone to create what is called a "trampoline."  It is then cinched tight to lift the deeper layers of skin and underlying muscle.  I tie off the suture and hide it in the skin fold below your chin.

What are the benefits of iGuide?

The most obvious benefit of iGuide is that it is less invasive than a traditional neck lift and therefore offers a faster recovery time and less pain.  Patients are generally fully recovered in three days instead of the usual 10 days associated with a neck lift. 

In fact, a recent patient of mine went back to work immediately after her procedure, and felt a little swollen but was well enough to hold a meeting.

The procedure requires only local anesthesia and usually takes about an hour.

Am I a good candidate for iGuide?

The best candidates for iGuide are:

• Males who generally have more muscle mass in their lower face and necks.
• Younger patients who have abnormal or unattractive neck contours due to genetics.
• Patients who have loss of neck definition but not too much excess skin (because iGuide does not involve cutting or removing skin).
• Facelift patients who want to complement their procedure without a full neck lift.
• Patients who want a shorter recovery time without general anesthesia.

How much does iGuide cost?

The cost of the iGuide is significantly lower than traditional neck lift surgery.  The time in the procedure room is typically about 1 hour, and this shortened time results in an overall lower cost to you, the patient. 

If you'd like to learn more about iGuide and how it can help your neck match your youthful face, contact Dr. Roy Kim's patient care coordinator, Caroline, at 415-354-8148.  Dr. Roy Kim is the first plastic surgeon inSan Franciscoto be trained in and offer the iGuide system.

About the Author

Dr. Kim is a board certified, plastic surgeon in San Francisco, California.To learn more about Dr. Kim, go to his official webpage: www.drkim.com. You can also like him on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DrRoyKim or follow him on Twitter: www.twitter.com/drroykim.