Fat grafting starts from $4,000 on top of the fees associated with a lift or augmentation. This covers the extra time in the operating theatre for the liposuction to harvest the fat, prepare it for grafting and then insertion in the breast. It also covers the fat grafting equipment which is new for each patient.
Do fat transfers last? Results from fat transfer are permanent. However, not all fat cells survive the procedure, so you may not achieve the volume you want. It takes about six months for the injected fat cells to develop a new blood supply and to see final results.
How much fat would I need for breast fat grafting? You may need approximately 200 to 400 cc of fat per breast. However, you may need a second procedure to achieve your desired breast size. Your surgeon will determine the amount of fat you will need during your consultation.
Costs for Breast Augmentation via Fat Transfer vary depending on your overall situation, your expectations and the degree of liposuction being performed. As a guide: Where liposuction is performed on one area and fat transfer to the breast, the cost is $8,800. The initial consultation is between $120 – $330.
The fatty cells introduced to the facial area during facial fat grafting are subject to the same biological processes as all fat cells, so they will disappear with significant weight loss.
A surgical fat transfer is generally a safe procedure, but it can occasionally result in: a collection of blood underneath the skin (haematoma) death of fat tissue (fat necrosis) a blockage in a blood vessel caused by a piece of fat (fat embolism)
Firmness, lumpiness, or asymmetry may occur also. If some of the fat does not survive the transfer, it may actually “die” and become firm and cause discomfort. Cysts may form at the transfer site and require a procedure to remove. A symmetrical body appearance unfortunately may not result from a fat transfer procedure.
Fat transfer: Because fat transfer to the breast utilizes a patient's own fat cells to increase breast volume – rather than a synthetic implant – the result looks and feels exceptionally natural in most cases. In addition, using the patient's own fat greatly reduces the risk of an allergic or adverse reaction.
Although the amount of fat you have available for harvest will help determine your fat transfer candidacy, patients should understand that gaining weight before a fat transfer procedure is not recommended.
Structural fat grafting specifically can lift sagging breasts, improve shape, and even cover up existing implants. Other benefits of structural fat grafting for breast augmentation include: A more natural procedure. Instead of using saline or silicone, this method takes fat from your own body.
Ideal Candidates for the Fat Transfer Procedure
Our fat transfer patients typically range in age from their late 30s to their 80s. Younger patients (those in their early 20s or 30s) can also experience volume loss patterns that make them look tired around the eyes.
Don't Lose Weight
Patients should be near their ideal weight before their fat transfer procedure. Liposuction will provide you with the body contouring results you desire. Once your fat transfer has settled, it is important to maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle.
It may require 4 to 6 individual sessions to get the best potential results. The injected fat may be reabsorbed by the body and you may lose some or all of the breast volume over time.
Fat removal is permanent, and while fat cells removed with liposuction will not come back, it is possible to regain weight in that area. After a fat transfer, the fat cells will permanently stay in their new home. However, you may see a proportional change in the volume of fat if you have dramatic weight changes.
It is possible for a patient to gain weight through either lack of exercise, improper diet, or pregnancy after liposuction and fat transfer surgery. Even though the removed fat cells can't return, the remaining cells can still cause the treated area to grow.
Anesthesia. Fat grafting to the breasts or buttocks is performed under general anesthesia. Fat grafting to the face can be performed under “twilight” anesthesia or general anesthesia. Twilight anesthesia consists of intravenous sedation and pain medication that keeps you relaxed and sleepy during the surgery.
As long as you have a BMI of at least 22, and you are less than 30% over the ideal body weight, you will not need to do anything to prepare for your fat transfer treatment.
Fat transfer breast augmentation will still be subjected to the effects of aging and weight fluctuations, meaning if you gain weight, your breasts will get even larger, and if you lose weight, your breasts may lose volume.
Breast augmentation can be performed with fat transfer, called “autologous breast augmentation.” The procedure involves harvesting fat from another body area, such as abdomen, love handles, thighs, or buttocks. Once harvested, the fat cells are purified, and then injected into the breasts to add volume.
Blood Clots Blood clots (deep vein thrombosis; DVT) in the veins of the arms, legs, or pelvis may result from fat transfer if it is done as a surgical procedure. These clots may cause problems with the veins or may break off and flow to the lungs (pulmonary embolus; PE) where they may cause serious breathing problems.
Because fat does not have its own blood supply to keep it alive, it uses the blood supply already in the breast. That's why a limited amount of fat can be injected. If too much fat is injected, it will be reabsorbed.
Since fat grafting adds volume, it does not create saggy skin.