Breast reconstruction with fat grafting, also known as autologous fat transfer or lipofilling, is a surgical procedure used to reconstruct the breast following mastectomy, lumpectomy, or other breast surgeries.
It involves transferring fat from one part of the body (typically the abdomen, thighs, or buttocks) to the breast area to recreate a natural-looking breast mound.
The procedure begins with liposuction to harvest fat from the donor site(s). The harvested fat is then processed and purified to remove excess fluids and impurities. Once purified, the fat is injected in small aliquots into the breast area, where it integrates with the existing tissue to augment the breast volume.
Breast reconstruction with fat grafting offers several benefits, including:
Natural-looking results: Since the fat used for the graft comes from the patient’s own body, it results in a more natural appearance and feel.
Minimal scarring: Fat grafting involves small incisions for liposuction and injection, which typically result in significantly less scarring compared to traditional breast reconstruction techniques.
Simultaneous body contouring: Liposuction used to harvest fat for the grafting can also contour the donor site(s), providing additional aesthetic benefits.
Reduced risk of complications: Because the procedure uses the patient’s own tissue, there is a lower risk of complications such as rejection or allergic reactions.
Yes, potentially any procedure that involves liposuction can be combined with fat grafting as we can process the fat harvested and utilise it to fat graft the breasts. It takes longer to harvest the fat for grafting than to dispose of it therefore there is increased cost. We are happy to discuss these at your consultation.
It is essential to note that breast reconstruction with fat grafting may not be suitable for everyone. Factors such as overall health, availability of donor fat, and desired aesthetic outcomes will influence candidacy for the procedure. Additionally, multiple sessions of fat grafting may be necessary to achieve the desired results, as not all of the transferred fat survives long-term and outcomes can fluctuate based on weight loss or gain.
Every procedure is individualised to the patient. We will always provide honest and comparable results to give an idea of outcomes however results cannot be guaranteed and will vary.
Scars are an inevitable part of any invasive surgery. Dr Brooks will endeavour to minimise scarring and to keep your scars as inconspicuous as possible by locating the incisions in easily hidden sites. That way, scars will be along natural skin lines and creases. Scars may fade with time and become barely noticeable. If you are prone to scarring, you should advise your surgeon.
If just undergoing fat grafting, scars will typically be small incisions over areas that undergo liposuction and small incisions on the breasts themselves – typically just under breast, hidden in the natural crease.
Fat grafting has a variable amount of success. Not all the fat will “take” and survive therefore it is important patients are aware of possible need for revision and further grafting at a later date. Degree of fat take will be assessed at consultations
Cost is always a consideration in elective surgery. Prices for individual procedures can vary widely between Specialist Plastic Surgeons. Some factors that may influence the cost include the surgeon’s experience, the type of procedure, anaesthetist and hospital location.
Costs associated with the procedure may include:
Surgeon’s fee
Hospital or surgical facility costs
Anaesthesia fees
Prescriptions for medication
Post-surgery garments
Medical tests
We welcome any questions you may have regarding fees.
Every procedure has risks and these are individualised to the patient. We will discuss risks in detail at the time of consultation however we welcome questions and queries at any time.
Call our friendly team to get more information about your plastic or reconstructive goals
