BREAST FAT GRAFTING/TRANSFER OPERATIVE TECHNIQUE

Operative techniques are usually for surgeons. We made this in the simplest of words for you to have a glimpse and have a clear understanding of what we do during a Breast Fat Grafting procedure.

1. INDUCTION OF GENERAL ANESTHESIA

Medication to put you to sleep will initially be given via IV (thru the vein), and then a tube will be inserted through your throat where gas anesthesia will takeover throughout the entire procedure.

2. PREPPING OF TUMMY & breasts W/ ANTISEPTIC SOLUTION

Povidone-Iodine cleanser and solution are applied over the tummy (including areas below) and breasts to make the areas sterile. 

3. PLACEMENT OF STERILE SURGICAL DRAPES

Drapes cover the unsterile areas around the tummy and breasts to keep the surgeon from being contaminated during surgery.

4. REPEAT MARKINGS

Markings are typically made during photo taking. Prepping lightens the drawing, thus the surgeon repeats them.

5. SKIN INCISIONS

For the tummy, 2 small incisions (1/4 inch) are made just below the fold of the breasts, and another 2 over the folds of the lower tummy. Additional incision may be made over the navel depending on the needs of the surgeon.

6. INFILTRATION OF TUMESCENT FLUID OVER THE TUMMY 

Tumescent fluid is a mix of numbing and blood vessel constricting medications. This helps in softening the fats, provide additional anesthesia, and minimizing bleeding. 1000-2000ml of fluids is infiltrated.

7. WAITING TIME

This will give time for the tumescent fluid to take its effect (around 20-30 minutes).

8. FAT HARVESTING AND CONTOURING

Using manual syringe or power-assisted liposuction (PAL) machine, fats are suctioned/harvested, and directed into several big syringes  (50cc) or directly into the Lipo-Filter System.

9. FAT PROCESSING

Harvested fats are left to stand in syringes on a rack (decantation) by gravity, for 30-60 minutes, to allow separation of fats from fluids and blood, which are eventually discarded.

10. FAT GRAFTING OR FAT TRANSFER TO THE Breasts

Processed fats are grafted into the breasts via the same incisions over the lower breast folds, using smaller syringes (10cc) connected to a blunt cannula (3.5mm or bigger). Between 150cc to 250cc of fats are transferred per breast depending on the yield and existing size of the breast. Another incision over the margin of the areola can be made by the surgeon when needed.

11. INCISIONS CLOSURE

12. APPLICATION OF ANTISEPTIC

13. ELASTIC COMPRESSION

14. END OF ANESTHESIA

Book an appointment with Dr. Jaafar (use contact form or send a message to +63 9189853668 Viber/Whatsapp). 

Dr. Al Lee Jaafar, will personally do the procedure for you. He is the surgeon of Neu Advanced Aesthetics Centre in Centuria Medical Makati. 

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Also known as Autologous Fat Grafting of the breasts,

fats are harvested from areas like tummy, thighs or buttocks then injected into the breast/s (of the same subject) with a blunt cannula.

     Typical volume of fat grafted would be 150cc to 250cc per breast. Going beyond this amount will result to lesser chance of survival of fats.

     Totally flat breasts will have poorer results. There has to be at least some amount of existing breast fat tissue for the fats to be grafted and to adhere for survival

BREAST FAT TRANSFER/GRAFTING     

Recent advancement in aesthetic surgery had led to development of new methods in augmenting the breast. Breast enhancement using the FAT from the patient is now becoming the latest and safer trend.      

History of breast fat grafting

     Way back in the 1980's, breast fat grafting was not yet acceptable.

     Initial outcome after breast fat transfer showed it can cause irregular breast lumps. Diagnosis at that time was challenging since imaging technology was just in its early development.

     In the early days of this procedure, the survival rate of transplanted cells were also low. Results were unpredictable.

     At present, breast mammogram technology has progressed and improved. The problem of difficult imaging has become less of a concern. Newer harvesting methods have also resulted to better fats survival and lesser formation of lumps.

     Fat transfer for breast enhancement is a good natural option for select patients who do not wish to have breast implants. It can be performed on an out-patient setting and has faster recovery period compared to implant-based augmentation.

     Fats are harvested from a donor site of the patient using "Syringe Liposuction". Usual area is the tummy (although other areas can be harvested). The harvested fats are processed to remove impurities then injected using a small incision along the breast crease or areola. Up to 150-250cc of fats can be transferred safely. 

     Fat transfer for breast enlargement has the advantage of being "rejection free" because it comes from the patient's own fat tissue (autologous). The only drawback is the possibility of shrinkage through time. It can be repeated though to attain more volume and better result.

BREAST fat transfer/grafting BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS

BREAST IMPLANT OR BREAST FAT TRANSFER?

Some women cannot decide on what procedure to choose for breast enlargement. The choice between breast implants or fat grafting may seem difficult especially when information on the advantages and disadvantages of both procedures are limited. 

Consider getting fat grafting or fat transfer when you want natural augmentation with no foreign objects in your body, faster recovery, and can accept the following:

1. Breast enlargement with fat grafting is subtle

The more fats injected into the breast, the lesser its survival. Thus for fat grafting, the maximum increase in breast is just 1 size. Implant sizes can reach up to 500cc to 600cc (average 300cc) while the amount of fats that can be transferred is only between 150cc to 250cc per breast. The reason is that fats need to be spread well around the existing breast tissue (which is usually small) so that the newly grafted fats will have access to nutrients from the surrounding blood supply. Injecting fats in big bolus may result to fats being located far from the blood vessels. Risk for necrosis (fat dying) is high.

2. Shrinkage can happen with fat grafting

Because not all fats that are grafted survive, and there is normal swelling that occurs after surgery, shrinkage in the breast size over time is usually observed. Size changes can vary from 10%-60%.

3. Top-up procedure can be done

For as long as there are fat areas that can be harvested, a repeat injection or grafting of fats can be made after 6 months.

4. NO DIETING OR FAT BURNING EXERCISES AFTER FAT GRAFTING

Newly grafted fats need to be nourished to ensure survival. So limiting food intakes with diets and doing cardio or fat burning exercises will essentially melt down all the fats that were grafted. Therefore eat well and eat healthy.

STEP BY STEP PROCEDURE FOR BREAST FAT GRAFTING

The following is a detailed process that you will undergo, from beginning to end, to attain your dream of bigger breasts.

1 INITIAL CONSULTATION

- Concerns
- Review of medical history like past/recent procedures, hospitalisations, and medications
- Physical examination
- Explanation of the procedure
- Discuss expectations
- Additional procedures, if any
- Expenses

2 PRE-OPERATIVE WORK-UP

- Can be done the same day (before 2 pm) with consultation schedule.
- Takes at least half-day to accomplish
- Blood tests, X-rays and ECG
- Medical clearance or Cardio clearance (if needed).
- Results released the next day.

3 SURGERY DAY

- Strict fasting from midnight of previous day (no food, no drinks).
- Full body bath
- Report to surgeon at 10am
- Photo-taking and body markings (drawings)
- Proceed to operating room complex via VIP lift
- Proceed to Dressing Room
- Change outside clothes with operating room gown, booties, and head cap.
- Proceed to Pre-Anesthesia Room
- Review of medical history and vital signs check by Nurse
- Review of medical history and physical examination by the Anesthesiologist.
- Explanation of anesthesia to be given
- Proceed to Operating Room Suite
- Lie down and relax on the OR table
- Attachments of ECG leads (chest and back)
- Insertion of IV line over one of the hands
- Put to sleep with IV medication
- BREAST FAT GRAFTING PROCEDURE by the Surgeon
- Gradual wakefulness in the Recovery Room
- May experience chills, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting
- Recovery and monitoring for 4-5 hours until able to tolerate some liquids and soft diet
- Adjusted to high back rest
- IV out, ECG leads removed
- May be discharged when able to ambulate without assistance.
- Or transferred to the Recovery Suite for overnight stay when not cleared for discharge.