Reader Question: Fat Injections for Breasts
July 6th, 2011
Kelly writes:
So, what is the difference between the procedure of the ’80s and the procedure now? What would be the cost difference between this procedure and “traditional†breast implants? Is it dependent upon the amount of lipo done? Would it sort of be a “2 for 1″ deal?
Liposuction fat is now harvested with better survivability after placement, compared to the earlier technique. It is also injected as thin threads throughout the breast instead of a large volume in one spot. There are promising studies that indicate possible stem cell rejuvenation with fat transfer.
Positive improvements in technology include developments such as, fat graft injections interfere less than implants, increased mammogram and radiological expertise. Once the procedure is completed there are no further maintenance costs, as may often be the case with implants.
There are additional benefits of losing inches from liposuction of the hips, thighs, and/or abdomen prior to the fat transfer. The cost is not a “two-fer,†it is more like a one-and-a-half-er! Prices will vary according to the location of metropolitan area. Liposuction recovery may take up to 6 weeks depending on volume removed, whereas complete healing for the breast fat grafting is upwards from about 9 months to a year. The results are permanent. The procedure is sometimes referred to as a natural breast enhancement.
Technology Innovations: Breast Enlargement
June 28th, 2011
As I mentioned last week, I attended the Technology Innovation in Plastic Surgery Conference in San Francisco. I believe that new techniques and technologies in field of cosmetic surgery will change dramatically in the next five years.
Some of these new innovations involve carefully harvested fat injections. A promising procedure involves using fat harvesting for breast enlargement. Liposuction fat is transferred from one area to anther after it has been specially processed. Augmenting the breast with the body’s own fat first became popular in the 1980’s. Initially, both ASPS and ASAPS urged caution. The current procedure has been perfected and gives patients another option when considering breast enlargement.
In the past, there were concerns whether fat injections may calcify, or harden, and interfere with traditional mammograms and breast cancer screenings. 

More recently, radiology literature suggest that new generations of digital mammography is more sophisticated and better able to distinguish troublesome cells.
Some noteworthy facts about this innovative procedure include needing only pinpoint marks at the injection sites, because no incisions are made in the breast. Patients are also free to discard implant rupture concerns and benefit from reduced risk of breast firmness or numbness. However, more than one procedure might be required to achieve the desired result and this new fullness may fluctuate with weight gain or loss.
This series continues.
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