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.