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Fat grafting to the breast is a popular breast augmentation technique that addresses the issues of excess fat and small breasts in one single procedure. With fat grafting to the breast, Orange County patients can achieve naturally larger breasts without the need for breast implants.

During the procedure, fat is transferred from other parts of the body, such as thighs, buttocks and belly, into the breasts. The process is also referred to as autologous fat transfer, since it uses the patient’s own fatty tissue.

It is a safe procedure with minimal complications reported. Due to the use of natural fat to increase your cup size instead of silicone implants, the chance of infection or rejection is minimized. Fat grafting to the breast is also used for breast reconstruction after scarring or damage from various breast procedures, such as those done after breast cancer surgery or to fix sagging breasts. It helps to find experienced plastic surgeons, like Dr. Daniel Reichner, to perform the procedure. 

The Benefits of Fat Grafting to the Breast

There are multiple advantages to natural breast enlargement:

• Fat grafting makes use of your own fat tissues instead of foreign material, reducing the risk of allergic reactions or rejections.
• It achieves targeted fat reduction in trouble areas, enhancing overall body contouring.
• The results look very natural, as the fat integrates seamlessly with the existing breast tissue.
• The feel is soft and tender, mimicking natural breast tissue, providing a more comfortable and authentic result.
• Recovery time is reduced compared to implant-based augmentation, with most patients returning to normal activities within a few days.
• There are minimal scars since the procedure involves small incisions, contributing to a better aesthetic outcome.
• Fat grafting allows for precise sculpting, offering customized enhancement tailored to each patient’s anatomy and preferences.
• The procedure also avoids the potential long-term complications associated with implants, such as capsular contracture or implant rupture.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Natural appearance – Enhanced breasts have a natural look and feel as the fat from your body integrates with existing tissue.
• Body contouring- Fat removal from donor sites like the abdomen and thighs improves overall body shape.
• Reduced risk of complications – Lower risk of complications compared to implants, such as capsular contracture or implant rupture.
• Minimally invasive – Less invasive than traditional augmentation methods, resulting in smaller incisions and minimal scarring.
• No risk of allergic reactions – Using the patient’s own fat eliminates the risk of allergies or rejection.
• Personalized enhancement – Allows for precise sculpting that is personalized to individual anatomy and goals.

Cons

• Variable fat survival – Not all transferred fat cells survive, potentially affecting the final outcome.
• Multiple sessions – Some patients may require more than one session to achieve desired results.
• Limited increase – This method may not provide as significant an increase in breast size as implants.
• Potential for asymmetry – If fat survival varies between breasts, it may result in asymmetry that may need correction.
• Bruising and swelling – Both the donor and recipient sites can experience bruising and swelling, which may take time to subside.

Consultation

During a consultation for fat grafting to the breast, a trusted surgeon like Dr. Reichner will discuss your goals, evaluate your medical history, and examine potential donor sites for fat harvesting. You will learn about the procedure’s benefits, risks, and expected outcomes. The surgeon will also determine if you are one of the good candidates for the procedure and develop a personalized treatment plan.

The Fat-Grafting Process

There are three phases of the procedure to increase in breast size using fat grafting — liposuction, purification, and injection.

1. Liposuction – During liposuction, stubborn excess fat is suctioned out of specific areas of your body such as the buttocks, belly, or thighs. The process is done by inserting a small tube called a cannula into a tiny incision in the target region. The tube loosens fat from the surrounding tissues and removes it via medical suction.
2. Purification – During this step, unnecessary fluids and materials are removed from the donor tissue. Dead and damaged fat cells are filtered out, leaving behind healthy fat cells that have a higher chance of surviving in their new location.
3. Lipofilling – Lipofilling enhances the size of the breasts using the purified donor fat. This allows for balancing the shape and size of breasts, giving them a fuller and firmer feel. Several precise injections of the donor fat are delivered. The process takes a fair amount of time, since it is vital that the fat is placed in such a way that it can connect to the blood flow and thrive.

Recovery

Because incisions are not created for the insertion of breast implants, the recovery after fat grafting to the breast is typically shorter and more comfortable. The fat grafting process is a fairly safe practice with minimal instances of complication.

There will be minor swelling and bruising in the harvesting and donor areas during the healing process. These issues will disappear over time, and ice packs can help to reduce them, as can post-surgical elastic garments. Strenuous activities and heavy lifting should be avoided for at least two weeks post-procedure. Regular follow-up appointments are essential to monitor the healing process and ensure optimal results.

Re-Absorption of Fat

Since the donor fat is a natural element of the body, a percentage will get reabsorbed into the body in the time after the procedure, which decreases the size of the breasts. To avoid this, doctors insert more fat than required in order to make up for this loss.

Set Up Your Appointment

To find out more about fat grafting to the breast in Orange County, contact the office of board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Daniel Reichner. We can help you arrange an informative consultation, where you will be able to discuss your goals for the procedure, along with cost, preparation, and more. Your fat grafting to the breast will be performed in Dr. Reichner’s plastic surgery center located in Orange County, CA

Before & After Photos