Oklahoma Plastic Cosmetic Surgery Procedures

Fat Grafting in Cosmetic & Reconstructive Breast Surgery

A woman’s own fat cells may serve as a remarkable resource in both reconstructive and cosmetic breast surgery.

The use of autologous (a person’s own) tissue to enhance reconstructive and cosmetic surgery results dates back to 1895. Recent advances in fat transfer technology have made fat grafting more reliable and useful. Initial diagnosis studies of fat grafting in breast surgery confirm safe and efficacious outcomes.

While the traditional use of prosthetic breast implants (filled with either saline or silicone gel) can create remarkable improvement in breast size and shape, there sometimes remain areas requiring some fine-tuning which can be accomplished by fat grafting.

Breast augmentation via fat grafting not only includes a more natural result for patients who require reconstruction or augmentation, but also can help improve deformities such as tuberous breast deformity, inadequate soft tissue coverage over the implant, capsular contracture (scar tissue around an implant), and wrinkling as a result of implants.

Often following breast reconstruction due to breast cancer, deficits remain from the various techniques used to restore the patient’s breast. Fat grafting has been an effective tool to help fill voids left following the multiple stages of reconstruction.

Advantages of fat transfer for breast enhancement and reconstruction include:

  • the use of the patient’s own tissue instead of a prosthetic implant
  • the absence of need to remove/replace damaged or deteriorated implants in the future
  • aesthetic improvements by liposuction harvesting from areas of unwanted or excessive fat (abdomen, hips & flanks are common donor sites)

Limitations of fat transfer technique include:

  • inadequate availability of fat volumes
  • possible mammographic changes after fat transfer
  • greater expense compared to traditional procedures

As with any cosmetic or reconstructive surgical procedure, consultation with a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery helps to ensure thorough evaluation and implementation of the most beneficial techniques available.