Fat transfer to breasts in London
Fat transfer to breasts or fat transfer breast augmentation also known as ‘breast lipofilling’ is a cosmetic surgery procedure performed to enlarge the breast size using your body’s own fat harvested using liposuction. Fat transfer breast enlargement differs from breast implant surgery as it does not use a foreign implant and is therefore also known as a ‘natural breast augmentation’.
The first step in fat transfer breast augmentation or fat transfer to breast is to harvest fat using liposuction from areas from of the body which have fat deposits. The great advantage of fat transfer breast enlargement is that it is essentially a 2 in 1 procedure. You get the benefit of naturally enlarged breasts using your own fat and a more contoured body with the use of liposuction from the donor fat areas.
With the use of your own fat, there is also a reduced risk of infection as silicone breast implants inserted as part of a breast augmentation procedure has a slightly rate of infection. The scars after fat transfer breast enlargement are also much less compared with breast augmentation using implants.
Centre for Surgery offer state of the art Vectra H2 digital imaging software to give you a more accurate idea of how you could look after surgery. This helps you to make a more informed decision as to wheter fat transfer breast enlargement is the right procedure for you.
If a woman’s breasts don’t match up to or don’t satisfy her expectations, it often becomes a serious cause of concern. Breasts are a very important feature of a woman’s overall appearance, her body shape and her personality. If a woman’s breasts are too small (micromastia), it can result in significant psychological issues.
Often after pregnancy and breastfeeding, women’s breasts tend to sag. Ageing also leads to sagging or shrunken breasts. In these cases, can fat transfer can be a good solution. If one has to undergo mastectomy, then breast fat transfer can be used to regain her natural body shape. If the two breasts are unequal, then fat transfer can be done for one breast to optimise symmetry.
All our surgeons are on the GMC specialist register.
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What is included in my fat transfer to breasts treatment package?
- As many preoperative consultations with your surgeon as you like to make sure the procedure is right for you
- Treatment at a specialist day surgery facility recently rated ‘Good’ by the CQC
- Enhanced same day discharge with the added benefits of recovering in your own home
- 24/7 clinical support from your surgeon for first 48 hours and our expert postoperative support team
- Your very own dedicated patient coordinator
- In-depth preoperative medical assessment to make sure you are fully fit for your procedure
- Exceptionally high standards of postoperative care described as ‘outstanding’ by the CQC with regular telephone and face to face checks
RealSelf Top Doctors for breast fat transfer surgery
RealSelf top doctor status is awarded to less than 10% of the RealSelf doctor community. This status is earned by achieving consistently high patient satisfaction (from RealSelf reviews), getting excellent feedback on expert answers to patient questions, and after investing significant time in Q&A and other doctor activity. RealSelf top doctors are rated among the very best surgeons in the United Kingdom and USA.
| Breast fat transfer | Fast facts |
|---|---|
| Procedure time | 2-3 hours |
| Anaesthetic type | GA |
| Length of stay | Day case |
| Up and mobile | Same day |
| Washing | 1 week |
| Travel | 4 weeks |
| Sexual activity | 4 weeks |
| Driving | 2 weeks |
| Back to work | 1 week |
| Postoperative garment | 6 weeks |
| Sleeping | On back 2 weeks |
| Exercise | 6 weeks |
| Full recovery | 6 weeks |
| Final results | 3 months |
Why choose Centre for Surgery for Breast fat transfer
- Over 15 years experience in all types of breast fat transfer – large volume aesthetic, small volume reconstructive and hybrid breast augmentation
- We own and manage our own surgical facilities. Properly performed fat transfer to breasts procedure takes time and should not be rushed. Our surgeons perform a maximum of one fat transfer procedure in a day. We do not cram 3-4 procedures into one day like other providers.
- Our surgeons live and work in the UK. This is very important because whilst your surgeon takes all precautions to minimise complications, complications can and do occur and our surgeons are readily available to manage any issues if and when they arise.
Our surgeons are known for their artistry and strive to help women to natural and beautiful breasts. Our surgeons believe that the key to a successful outcome after a boob lift is the surgeon-patient relationship. Before committing to proceed with a clinical decision, your surgeon will spend time getting to know about personal goals and preferences in detail. This might sometimes require a second follow-up consultation. Our surgeons provide the safest and most natural looking breast implant procedures in London, the south-east and the UK.
The top UK surgeons for fat transfer to breasts
All our surgeons are fully qualified and experienced plastic surgeons with the skill to perform all types of aesthetic breast surgery.
Our surgeons are full members of:
What our patients say about us
At Centre for Surgery in London, our surgeons take great pride in what they do as the UK’s leading centre for fat transfer procedures and all would agree that obtaining amazing feedback is the most satisfying part of their work.
Breast fat transfer vs Breast Implants
Advantages of Breast fat transfer
- Use of foreign material not involved
- Can increase size by one cup size
- Fat removal is part of the procedure
- Incisions involved are small and fades away over time
- Does not carry the risk of rupture or capsular contracture
- A decrease in any sensation is very unlikely
Advantages of Breast Implants
- Insertion of foreign material (silicone at Centre for Surgery)
- Can increase size as desired taking various factors into consideration
- Involves a 5-6 cm length incision
- The potential risk of rupture or capsular contracture
- May experience loss of sensation, temporary or long-term
Ideal candidates for breast fat transfer
All patients should be in good health and have realistic expectations about what can be achieved with natural breast augmentation surgery.
We do not treat patients below the age of 18 years of age.
Healing is better if patients refrain from or quit smoking.
Fat transfer to breasts is ideal for people who want subtle natural looking enhancements of the breasts. However, the individual has to have enough body fat to be transferred to the breasts.
We recommend breast augmentation with implants to individuals who do not have enough fat in their body to go ahead with fat transfer to breasts. We may also have to refuse the procedure to individuals considering to have children as pregnancy and childbirth can affect the results.
Breast fat transfer procedure
Prior to the surgery, you will have a consultation with one of our surgeons.
The decision to have a fat transfer to breasts is a major step for most women and extremely personal. The surgeon therefore always guides and supports his prospective patients through every stage of this process. During an initial consultation at our clinic, you will discuss your reasons for wanting this procedure and will undergo a thorough medical check-up.
The consultation begins by having an opportunity to discuss your ideas, concerns and expectations about the natural breast augmentation procedure with your surgeon, and ask any relevant questions you may have.
The fat transfer to breasts procedure is performed by highly skilled breast augmentation experts who will utilise fat deposits from a donor area and transfer it to the breasts for a natural enhancement.
Liposuction is first performed on the donor area to collect the best quality fat cells to be transferred. At Centre for Surgery, liposuction is performed using the PAL lipo method.
The fat is collected in a filter to purify it and then collected in multiple syringes. Once this is done the fat is injected back into the breasts.
When will I see results from the fat transfer to breasts procedure?
The results be immediately noticeable after the procedure. There will be a degree of swelling during the postoperative period and this is often related to the initial infiltration of local anaesthetic during the procedure. This will settle over the course of a couple of weeks. In all fat transfer procedures, there will be some fat loss despite expert surgical technique. It is realistic to expect 60-75% fat survival in breast fat transfer procedures. The breasts will continue to improve in appearance over a course of 3-6 months and this is related to soft tissue remodelling to accommodate the extra fat volume. At the postoperative 3-6 month stage, the results are considered to be permanent and the fat transferred will be part of the normal breast tissue. Your surgeon will take postoperative photographs at your 3 month appointment which can be compared against the preoperative photographs.
Once full healing has taken place, you can decide in conjunction with your surgeon if you are entirely happy with the volume and shape of your new breasts or whether you would like more volume with a small top-up procedure. It is important to note that the breast tissue will be affected most by future pregnancies and breastfeeding and to a lesser degree by the ageing process and changes in weight. If you are affected by these factors then a further top-up procedure may be warranted to achieve the results you are looking for. Where the degree of breast ptosis or sagging is moderate to severe then a breast lift procedure may be more appropriate to correct the change in shape. The results after fat transfer to the breasts are most evident in the first few weeks after surgery once any initial swelling and bruising have resolved. Final results will appear over the course of 3- months as the fat becomes permanently part of your existing breast tissue.
Recovery after breast fat transfer
Following the surgery, there will be some swelling and bruising for the first few weeks that will fade away over time. The result will be noticeable after the swelling has gone down. We recommend our patients to avoid any strenuous activity for at least 4 to 6 weeks for the area treated to heal fully.
Fat transfer to breasts can help achieve one whole cup size with a very natural looking result.
The achievable result will depend on the surgeon’s skills to obtain best quality fat and equally the patient’s ability to retain the transferred fat cells. Some fat cells will be absorbed naturally by the body and cannot be prevented. Ageing will also have an impact on the result achieved.
FAQs
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What does the fat transfer to breast procedure involve?Fat transfer to breast is also known as lipofilling to breast, fat grafting to breast and fat injections to breast. Fat transfer breast augmentation is a specialist surgical treatment involving the liposuction of unwanted fat from a part of the body followed by careful processing of the fat using filtering, washing and decantation. The processed fat is then reinjected. It is a safer and less invasive option than having breast enlargement with silicone implants.
The fat transfer procedure to the breast takes place in two stages. The first step involves the harvest of fat using gentle liposuction from the donor areas of fat. Commonly treated areas include the abdomen, thighs, back and arms. The liposuction is carried out under a low suction force to preserve the delicate fat cells. Power assisted liposuction is often used as part of this process. The second damage involves purification of the collected fat in a specially designed sterile fat canister. The processed fat is then reinjected using fine cannulas into targeted areas of the breast for volume, shape and contour enhancement. Both size and shape can be addressed with a fat transfer to breast procedure. Fay is injected in small amounts on each pass as these helps to increase the viability of the transferred fat. Injecting too much in a single pass might reduce fat cell viability.
Compared with breast augmentation using implants, the fat transfer to breast procedure takes longer. This is often in the range of 2-3 hours depending on number of areas of liposuction. The process for harvesting, purifying and injecting fat is a very specialist process that takes time and should not be rushed. The priority in treatment is to create a natural appearance in harmony with the patients body shape and contour.
The final stage of reinjecting the fat is performed through small incisions often more than 2 to 3mm in length. These tiny scars heal very well leaving a barely perceptible scar after a number of months. Although fat transfer to breast can be performed under both local and general anaesthesia, it is recommended in most cases to have the procedure under a general anaesthetic for optimum comfort. In cases involving small amounts of fat transfer from a single liposuction area, local anaesthetic can work very well. Examples include revision cases or patients desiring only a subtle correction. About one week recovery time is usual after fat transfer to breast procedure. Virtually all patients are back to their normal activities at one month after the lipofilling procedure. -
Am I a good candidate for fat transfer to breasts?Natural breast augmentation is suitable for anyone wanting to enhance the shape and size of their breasts, however, you must have enough fat on other body areas for an effective breast fat transfer to take place. You are also a good candidate if you are not considering having children in the first couple of years after the natural breast augmentation procedure as volume loss is possible with pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you have sagging breasts, you may be a better suited for a breast uplift and fat transfer to breasts can be combined with a breast uplift for natural volume breast enhancement. If you are looking for a more dramatic and predictable increase in the size of your breasts then a breast augmentation with implants may be more suitable.
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Is natural breast augmentation the right procedure for me?Natural breast augmentation using your body's own fat is an ideal procedure for breast enhancement if you are looking for a more naturally appearing breast as opposed to the fake look which can be achieved with breast implants. The procedure produces more modest results compared with implant based breast augmentation. Fat transfer to breasts is great for the younger woman with good skin elasticity of the breasts but is also routinely used in breast reconstruction surgery following breast cancer removal. For women with thin soft tissue coverage in the upper part of the chest, the outline of the breast implant may sometimes be visible and fat transfer to breasts is ideal for filling out the prominent areas and can also be used to enhance upper pole fullness of the breast which is commonly lost after childbirth.
Women who prefer a more dramatic increase in bust size are better suited to having a breast enlargement with implants. It is often the case however than an increasing number of women prefer not to have an artificial silicone prosthetic implant inserted in their chest and prefer a more natural filler material like the body's own fat. It is important to remember that fat transfer breast augmentation produce more modest results and it is realistic to expect no more than one increase in cup size.
The results from a natural breast augmentation can be refined with a another fat transfer procedure if you would like more volume. This will require sufficient fat stores to be present for enough fat to be harvested for the breast fat transfer. A common body type of women who seek fat transfer to breasts are slim and athletic in nature and will therefore have very little donor fat available for an effective breast fat transfer. Your surgeon will be able to advise you of your suitability for natural breast augmentation at your consultation.
With any fat transfer procedure, it is key to have realistic expectations of what the procedure can achieve as there is always a small element of unpredictability with the fat transfer process as not all fat will survive the transfer procedure. This is the advantage of a surgical breast augmentation with implants which gives a predictable increase in breast volume without risk of fat loss. The results can be affected if you choose to breastfeed within a year of surgery.
A great benefit of breast fat transfer surgery is that the combined nature of the procedure with both liposuction and fat transfer. The surgeon first performs liposuction and at the same time the surgeon is able to contour the area, an example being a flatter abdomen if fat is taken from here. The procedure is a two-in-one treatment with simultaneous body contouring and natural breast augmentation.
Results after breast fat transfer are determined by a number of factors. These include the amount of fat which can be safely harvested via liposuction and your current breast size. Fat transfer breast augmentation may in certain cases require a top-up procedure to achieve the final result. It is important to bear this in mind when considering the procedure. At Centre for Surgery, your surgeon will carry out a comprehensive clinical assessment at your consultation and will be be able to expertly advise on the best treatment options. -
Is fat transfer to breasts an effective procedure?Fat transfer to breasts is an excellent procedure for natural breast augmentation.
Our surgeons use breast fat transfer for a number of key applications:
- Women with thin skin who have had or are planning to have a breast augmentation with implants can benefit from fat transfer to conceal the edges of the implant which may be visible through the skin and cleavage area. When fat transfer is performed at the same time as an implant breast augmentation, this is referred to as a composite breast augmentation.
- Optimisation of breast shape following surgery for breast cancer as part of a second stage breast reconstruction procedure.
- An alternative to breast augmentation with implants for an increase in breast volume of no more than one cup size. For patients who prefer more larger increases in volume, it may be sensible to perform a staged procedure to optimise the amount of fat which 'takes' in the new breast site. Women after pregnancy often experience deflated and empty breasts especially in the upper aspect and fat transfer to the upper of the breasts can help to restore a youthful breast contour.
Breast fat transfer treatment effectiveness is determined by a number of factors including amount of available fat for transfer and the skin elasticity of the breast. Younger women with available fat and who not planning to get pregnant soon are ideal candidates.
Most women who choose fat transfer to breasts do so because it is safer way to increase the volume of the breasts without the requirement for an artificial silicone breast implant. The fat transfer process takes place using your body's own fat thus eliminating the risk of an allergic reaction occurring. With the removal of fat via liposuction from other areas such as the abdomen and thighs, patients can benefit from a two-in-one body contouring and breast enhancement procedure. -
Who will we not treat?We will refuse the procedure to you if you do not have enough fat in other areas of your body for the fat transfer to breasts.
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How much body fat do I need for the fat transfer?The amount of fat you need on your body depends on how much added volume you desire on your breasts. The surgeon will need to assess this during your consultation.
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How is the fat grafting procedure performed?Liposuction is first performed to collect good fat cells from the donor area
Fat is purified
Fat is then injected back to the breasts using multiple syringes -
How do I prepare for my surgery?You are expected to quit smoking for at least 30 days before your bra line back lift surgery. Avoid taking aspirin or any blood thinners to prevent bleeding during the procedure.
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How long does the procedure take?On average the procedure takes around 3 hours, but it solely depends on how much fat you are looking to get transferred.
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Is the procedure going to be painful?The procedure is performed used TIVA anaesthesia making the experience relaxed and pleasant throughout the whole procedure.
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Will I be left with scars?The incisions made for the cannula to go in during liposuction may leave small scars that will fade away over time.
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What is the recovery period going to be like?Expect some swelling and bruising for the first few weeks following your procedure and you should avoid exercise during this time to allow the treated area to heal fully.
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What are the risks associated with fat transfer to breasts?Fat transfer to breasts does not come with many side effects other than the common surgical complications like infection and bleeding that can be avoided with a good aftercare routine.
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What results can I expect from the procedure?The result achievable from fat transfer to breasts is very natural looking and the results will last long term as long as you are able to maintain a stable weight. Ageing will also play a role in your ability to maintain the results as its effect on the fat cells cannot be controlled.
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Are there limitations in the results I can achieve?Do not expect to gain two to three cup size following your surgery as some percentage of the fat will be absorbed naturally by your body. You may be able to gain at least one cup size but that also heavily depends on your own body.
What To Expect
The consultation
When you have decided to learn more about fat transfer to breast and if it right for you, we advise a consultation with one of our expert fat transfer surgeons. At consultation, a number of measurements are taken of the breast and also the body areas where fat is to be harvested and an assessment will be made of the soft tissue quality. The full range of treatment options will be explained including breast augmentation with implants. For those who do not have enough fat, the implant option may be more appropriate. Your surgeon is skilled in all types of liposuction for fat harvest including power assisted liposuction and the most appropriate choice will be made based on your physical examination. The surgeon will also give information on the location of the small incisions for the liposuction and fat transfer and also whether the fat transfer to breast is to be combined with another procedure such as a tummy tuck. Our surgeons are also trained in composite breast augmentation or hybrid breast augmentation which involves both fat transfer and breast implants to enhance the female breast.
High-resolution photos will be taken and your surgeon may also use computer digital imaging. Your surgeon will take time to discuss the important risks and potential complications of fat transfer surgery and what you can expect in the postoperative period.
The surgeon will also take a full medical history which includes previous operations, current list of medicines taken and any potential allergies. This information will be used to decide on your fitness for the breast fat transfer procedure. If you are deemed to be a suitable candidate for surgery then we would recommend to spend a period of time to reflect on all the information given. We always recommend a minimum of a '2 week cool off period' for to weigh up your options.
All our prospective patients are more than welcome to have as many follow-up consultations after their initial consultation to make sure you are fully empowered with all the information to make an informed decision for proceeding with breast fat transfer surgery at Centre for Surgery.
Before your procedure
Once you have decided that fat transfer to breasts is right for you, our preoperative assessment team will be in contact to prepare you for fat transfer surgery.
The following are recommended actions to take:
- For 6 weeks beforehand, it is highly recommended to stop smoking as active smoking is associated with a number of risks including delayed wound healing which could result in wound infection.
- You should also avoid aspirin and all medicines containing aspirin for at least one week prior to the procedure. Aspirin increases the risk of bleeding and could lead to the formation of a haematoma (collection of blood beneath the skin).
- For 6 hours before the breast fat transfer procedure, you should refrain from eating any food or any type of drink apart from sips of clear fluid (water and tea/coffee without added milk) which is allowed for up to 2 hours before the procedure. You will be having a general anaesthetic and so will need to have an empty stomach to reduce the risk of anaesthetic complications occurring.
It is highly recommended that all patients having a fat transfer procedure to stop smoking as smoking is strongly associated with a reduced fat survival rate leading to less fat being successfully grafted to the breast recipient site. The volume of the breasts will be smaller as a result of active smoking.
On the day of the procedure
Please aim to arrive for your breast fat transfer procedure at the confirmed time. One of our nursing team will admit you for the procedure and will carry out a number of tasks including checking your blood pressure and other vital signs including pulse and temperature and then getting you changed into single-use clinic wear. The anaesthetist will then come in to assess you to make sure you are fit for TIVA anaesthetic and will also prescribe a number of oral pre-medications which are given by your nurse to help your recovery after the natural breast augmentation procedure. These include anti-sickness medicines and medicines for reducing bleeding. You will then be seen by your surgeon who will confirm the procedure to be undertaken and you will sign the informed consent form. Skin marking of the donor liposuction areas and photos may be taken at this point. The skin marking takes time and is a very important component of a successful fat transfer procedure.
Fat transfer to breasts surgery is a very commonly performed procedure at Centre for Surgery and is carried out under TIVA general anaesthesia as a day case. The procedure takes approximately 2-3 hours to carry out.
The procedure may be performed under either local anaesthetic or general anaesthetic although liposuction of larger areas is recommended to be carried out under a general anaesthetic. Liposuction of the donor is first performed using power assisted liposuction technique. The extracted fat is then processed and filtered to remove blood and other impurities. The processed fat is the injected using an expansion vibration lipofilling technique which permits the transfer of larger quantities of fat. The incisions for natural breast augmentation are very small and are closed with often a single suture for each hole followed by the application of a sterile dressing.
Once you have woken up from the TIVA anaesthetic, our nurses will closely monitor you for 1-3 hours afterwards to make sure you make a full recovery. You will be given a fruit juice drink or a warm drink as you prefer to build up your energy levels. Once you are assessed as fit for discharge, you will require a responsible adult escort to take you home in a car or taxi and to look after you for at least the first 24 hours after surgery. One of our clinical support team will call you the next morning to assess your progress.
After your procedure
After your fat transfer to breasts procedure, our dedicated postoperative support team are available round the clock to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Our clinical support team will call you regularly for the first 2 weeks after your procedure to make sure your pain levels are well controlled and your healing is progressing as normal.
Compared with breast enlargement surgery using implants, the recovery after breast fat transfer surgery is much quicker with very little in the way of discomfort and the majority of our patients are very comfortable by the end of week 1. Your doctor may recommend a period of approximately one week off work. You should minimise any excessive movements of your arms for the first 2 weeks after surgery to help with the healing of the incisions. You should also avoid sleeping on your front for 2 weeks to avoid any pressure on the delicate fat cells in the newly transferred fat to breast.
You will be required to wear a supportive surgical bra for a full 6 weeks to make sure healing is optimal, breast shape is preserved and so that scars heal with best results. Exercise involving the upper body should be stopped for a full 6 weeks to avoid any potential fat loss from the breasts.
You will attend for a postoperative check up with one of our nursing team at 7-10 days to review your surgical wound sites and ensure proper healing is taking place. Recommendations on treatments for scar healing may be given for optimal cosmesis. At 6 weeks you should begin to see your final results and you will see your surgeon for a comprehensive review and make sure your results are in line with your expectations.
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