What is Composite Breast Augmentation?

In this easy-to-understand guide, we’ll explain what composite breast augmentation is all about. We’ll give you all the important details you need, like what exactly happens during the surgery and what you can expect during your recovery time. We’ll also go over the benefits of this procedure, but we’ll be honest about any potential risks too.

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Our expert team at Centre for Surgery are leaders in this type of breast augmentation and body shaping surgeries. Why not get in touch with us today? You can book a consultation with a highly qualified plastic surgeon, who will work with you to create a tailored treatment plan that’s perfect for you and your body. This way, you’ll get the results you’re hoping for when it comes to enhancing your breasts.

Why Do People Opt for Composite Breast Augmentation Instead of Just Implants or Fat Transfer?

When it comes to breast enhancement, you might be wondering why someone would choose composite breast augmentation over more traditional methods, like only using implants or just opting for fat transfer. The reason is that composite breast augmentation offers a unique blend of advantages that can be tailored to meet various needs and desires.

• Optimal Enhancement for Varying Body Types: For women who don’t have enough body fat for a purely fat transfer procedure or those who lack sufficient breast tissue to effectively hide implants, composite breast augmentation provides a balanced approach. This allows for a significant volume increase while also achieving a natural look.
• Better Coverage and Shape: The combination of breast implants and fat transfer can result in a more complete and nuanced augmentation. The fat transfer fine-tunes the soft tissue around the implant, providing excellent coverage. This is particularly beneficial for women with smaller frames who are seeking to improve both the fullness at the top of their breasts and their overall breast aesthetics.
• Options for Thin Patients: For slender women with minimal breast tissue, the procedure offers the possibility of placing implants above the muscle, also known as pre-pectoral insertion. This technique comes with its own set of advantages, such as reduced post-operative pain and a quicker recovery period.
• Natural Feel and Look: One of the standout features of composite breast augmentation is the natural texture it provides. The transferred fat integrates with your existing breast tissue, making the augmented breasts feel natural when touched.

RELATED: How Will My Breasts Feel After Fat Transfer To Breasts?

• Sculpting Capabilities: Surgeons can use fat transfer to shape the breast into a more natural, teardrop form, even if round implants are used. This gives a more nuanced and aesthetically pleasing outcome.
• Customisation: This hybrid approach allows for a high degree of customisation, letting surgeons address a wide range of patient needs and cosmetic goals. Whether it’s adding volume, improving symmetry, or achieving a particular shape, composite breast augmentation offers a versatile solution.

How is Composite or Hybrid Breast Augmentation Carried Out?

Composite breast augmentation is a multi-step procedure that combines the best aspects of both breast implants and fat transfer techniques. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how this advanced breast enhancement surgery is usually performed:

1. Preparation: Before anything else, you’ll be given anaesthesia to ensure you’re comfortable and pain-free throughout the procedure.
2. Initial Incision: The surgeon will make the first incision, usually located in the crease underneath the breast. This provides a discreet area where scarring is less visible.
3. Inserting the Implant: Next, the breast implant is carefully positioned. In this type of procedure, the implant is generally placed above the pectoral muscle, also known as a pre-pectoral placement.
4. Liposuction on Donor Areas: While the implant settles, the surgeon turns to the areas of your body where excess fat will be harvested. These donor sites are often your thighs, abdomen, and back. Liposuction is used to collect the fat, which is then processed and purified.
5. Injecting Harvested Fat: The surgeon then takes this processed fat and injects it over and around the breast implant. This is done through a small 3 mm incision under the breast skin.
6. Fat Distribution: Depending on how much harvested fat is available, the surgeon may distribute the fat throughout the entire breast. This comprehensive fat layering helps in achieving the most natural look and feel.
7. Final Assessment and Closure: Once the implant and fat are securely in place, the surgeon assesses the breasts to ensure they are symmetrical and meet the patient’s cosmetic goals. Then, the incisions are stitched up and bandaged.
8. Recovery: Post-operation, you’ll be monitored in the recovery room and given specific guidelines on how to best manage pain, prevent infection, and expedite the healing process.

This innovative approach to breast augmentation provides a number of benefits, such as a more natural feel, better coverage, and the option for quicker recovery compared to traditional implant methods. Combining implants with your own body fat gives surgeons greater flexibility to create a breast shape that not only increases in size but also appears and feels more natural.

What Can You Expect During Recovery?

Recovery from composite breast augmentation involves a phased approach, allowing you to gradually get back to your normal life. Here’s a general idea of what the recovery timeline usually looks like:

1. First Week: In the initial days following the procedure, it’s essential to take it easy. You can engage in light activities like walking and stretching within the first week to promote good circulation and aid in the healing process. However, it’s important to avoid any strenuous activities that could cause discomfort or complications.
2. 2-3 Weeks Post-Surgery: After about two to three weeks, the soreness, swelling, and tightness you may have experienced should begin to subside. This is typically the time when many patients feel comfortable enough to return to work and start driving again. However, you should still avoid any activities that could exert pressure on your chest or involve heavy lifting.
3. Six Weeks and Beyond: Around the six-week mark is when most patients can safely return to their regular daily activities, including more strenuous physical exercise and heavy lifting. By this point, the breasts have usually settled into their new shape, and the risk of complications has significantly decreased.
4. Aftercare Plan: Throughout the recovery period, you’ll be provided with a detailed aftercare plan tailored to your needs. This plan will include guidelines on managing pain, preventing infection, and maintaining the quality of your results. It may involve post-operative check-ups, wearing a support garment, and using prescribed medications to minimise discomfort.

It’s important to follow the aftercare plan and keep in close contact with your surgeon throughout the recovery process. This ensures that any potential complications are addressed promptly and helps you get the best possible results from your composite breast augmentation.

What Are the Potential Risks and Complications?

Like any surgical procedure, composite breast augmentation is not without its risks. It’s crucial to be well-informed about these before going ahead with the surgery. Here are some of the more common risks and complications associated with this procedure:

1. Capsular Contracture: One of the most frequent issues with breast implants, whether used alone or in composite augmentation, is capsular contracture. This occurs when the scar tissue around the implant hardens, sometimes causing discomfort and altering the shape of the breast. As a result, many women opt to have their implants either replaced or removed after 10 to 15 years.
2. Sensory Changes: Changes in the sensation of the breast and nipple area are also possible side effects of composite breast augmentation, as well as traditional implant procedures. While some changes in sensation may be temporary, it’s possible that they could be long-lasting.
3. Risks from Fat Harvesting: Since the procedure involves liposuction to harvest fat from other parts of the body, risks associated with liposuction are also present. These can include skin sagging or laxity, as well as irregularities in the skin’s surface where the fat was harvested.
4. Infection and Bleeding: As with any surgery, there’s always a risk of infection or excessive bleeding. Strict adherence to aftercare guidelines can mitigate these risks.
5. Anaesthesia Risks: The use of anaesthesia, while generally considered safe, can have its own set of risks, especially for individuals with certain preexisting conditions.
6. Long-Term Maintenance: Over time, you may require additional procedures to maintain the results, which comes with its own set of risks and costs.