Breast Fat Transfer: What Happens After 5 Years
Breast fat transfer is getting popular due to its efficacy and long-term safety. But what happens to the breasts after 5 years post-breast fat transfer?
How exactly does fat grafting work?
Fat from the patient’s body is extracted via liposuction. Common areas where the fat is extracted from are the thighs, buttocks and abdomen.
The concentrated fat is separated from the non-fat cells and excess fluid. This is done by placing the extracted fat in a centrifuge. After which, the concentrated fat is filled into syringes.
The concentrated fat is then slowly and carefully injected into areas of the body where it’s needed via small needles or cannulas. This creates a volumising effect on those areas.
Fat grafting for different parts on the face. Because your own fat is the optimal filler for facial rejuvenation.
Autologous fat injections (facial fat grafting) - autologous means cells and tissues that are harvested from the same person. In essence, that is what fat grafting is.
Fat grafting using one's own fat is a safe method that produces desired results for individuals who are seeking to improve their facial appearance. The fat is often injected into areas where it is needed to add volume for a more youthful and healthier appearance.
Fat grafting for the forehead is a popular procedure among Asians. It lends a softer and feminine appearance [1].
Dark eye circles are often caused by fat loss around the eyes and sagginess in the upper cheeks. Fat grafting is able to plump the affected area for a healthier and more youthful appearance [2].
Fat grafting is also used to augment saggy and deflated cheeks. A plumper and more youthful appearance is achieved with facial fat grafting [3].
Fat grafting for different parts of the body
Breast enhancement via fat grafting is a less risky option compared to implants. The fat used is the patient’s own and this reduces the risk of tissue rejection [4].
Hand rejuvenation treatment has seen quite a rise recently. This is not surprising as the hands can be a tell-tale sign of aging. Fat grafting can restore a more youthful appearance to the hands [5].
As with breast enhancement, fat grafting for buttocks reduces the risk of complications. It is used in combination with liposuction to lend desired results [6].
Breast implantation procedure image for educational purpose.
Breast-enhancement via Fat Grafting uses fat from other parts of the body. This way, excess fat is removed from one part resulting in fat loss in that area and transferred to the breast resulting in an enhancement. It can be considered a 2-in-1 procedure that gives double the results.
Silicone and saline may be considered safe but they are not as safe as fat from one's own body.
Fat grafting, unlike implants, results in a more natural appearance and also to the touch.
Implants carry the risk of rupture and leakage. They would need to be changed over a patient’s lifespan and are not a permanent solution. Fat grafting eliminates these risks and the fat used is the patient’s own.
Implants, particularly if they are too big, carry the risk of visibility and rippling.
In breast implants there is a risk of the scar tissue hardening and this can result in implant hardening and distortion.
Stretch marks are also a concern when it comes to implants. This is because the skin needs to be stretched to accommodate them.
The evolution of fat grafting from 1895 to date
Performed the first 'fat grafting' from arms to eye region for scar correction.
Transferred a lipoma to the breast to establish symmetry following a unilateral partial mastectomy [7].
Fat grafting had trouble gaining acceptance during the next 100 years due to the many complications that routinely accompanied the procedure [8].
Published papers describing standardised techniques for fat extraction, processing, and injection [9].
Research showed adipose tissue is a much more prolific source of mesenchymal stem cells than bone marrow [10].
Dr Ivan Puah has close to two decades of liposuction and body contouring experience. He is certified to perform laserlipolysis (laser liposuction), Vaser liposuction and Hi-Definition liposuction having completed his liposuction and body sculpting training in the United States, Italy and Argentina. His passion for body contouring further drives Dr Ivan Puah to pursue further surgical trainings in gynecomastia surgery in the United States.
He developed two proprietary surgical techniques: 360° GTD® for gynecomastia surgery and MDC-Sculpt®️ Lipo Technique for liposuction.
Dr Puah is known to patients as a pragmatic gentleman - managing realistic expectations, not overpromising and under-delivering results.
According to a top peer-reviewed journal, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, "grafted fat has many attributes of an ideal filler, but the results, like any procedure, are technique dependent [11]." That is why finding the right doctor, who is meticulous, experienced and with a great aesthetic sense, is essential in achieving your desired results.
Each patient has unique fat distribution, skin laxity and muscular curvature, which influence the body shape and appearance.
Fat grafting, therefore, requires not just theoretical knowledge and practical experience, but also the know-how to the art of facial and body shaping.
Equipped with the skills to identify such unique anatomy and his proprietary surgical techniques allow Dr Ivan Puah to consistently achieve satisfying and optimal facial and body shaping results for patients.
Let us journey with you and build a personalised body shaping experience.
Performing surgeries at an MOH-accredited facility with our panel of anaesthesiologists and offering twilight sedation (no GA) allow the best care and safety for you during and after surgery.
Integrity, ethical, and commitment, that's our pledge to you.
No one body is the same. You are unique, and so are your concerns, needs and desires. This is why every treatment plan varies for each different patient. We listen to what you want before designing your personalised plan to meet your goals.
How long is the recovery time for fat grafting?
Generally, the downtime is minimal. Most patient are able to return to work in 2 -3 days' time.
Does fat grafting look natural?
Yes, you can expect natural-looking results with smooth contours.
How many times can fat grafting be done?
There is no limit to the number of times the procedure can be done, as long as there is enough & quality fat to be extracted from the patient. Based on your clinical condition and also available fat source, the doctor will advise you accordingly.
Can fat grafting make one look younger?
Fat grafting adds volume to areas where it's needed. As we age, our skin will start to sag, and for some, a hollowed cheek appearance may materialise. Adding fat to this area and others plumps up the appearance for a healthier and more youthful appearance.
Does fat grafting leave scars?
Small, strategically placed incisions are made on both the donor and recipient sites, setting them apart from the scars associated with implants.
What happens if a person lose weight after fat grafting?
Weight loss will impact the fat grafting results. A patient is advised to adopt a healthier lifestyle and eating habits post-procedure for longer-lasting results.
What is the success rate of fat grafting?
Generally, 65 to 75 percent of the transferred fat will survive. The ones that don't will be naturally metabolised by the body.
Can a person be too skinny for fat grafting?
Ideally, a suitable candidate for the procedure should be healthy and have enough fat source for extraction. The doctor will advise accordingly during clinical assessment.
Reference
[1] Metzinger, S., Parrish, J., Guerra, A., & Zeph, R. (2012). Autologous fat grafting to the lower one-third of the face. Facial plastic surgery, 28(01), 21-33. doi: 10.1055/s-0032-1305787. ISSN 0736-6825.
[2] Hyung Su Kim, Chong Won Choi, Bo Ri Kim, and Sang Woong Youn.JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery. Mar 2019.118-124. doi:10.1001/jamafacial.2018.1307
[3] Kim, H. S., Choi, C. W., Kim, B. R., & Youn, S. W. (2019). Effectiveness of transconjunctival fat removal and resected fat grafting for lower eye bag and tear trough deformity. JAMA facial plastic surgery, 21(2), 118-124. doi: 10.1001/jamafacial.2018.1307
[4] Hoang, D., Orgel, M. I., & Kulber, D. A. (2016). Hand rejuvenation: a comprehensive review of fat grafting. The Journal of hand surgery, 41(5), 639-644. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2016.03.006
[5] Hoang, D., Orgel, M. I., & Kulber, D. A. (2016). Hand rejuvenation: a comprehensive review of fat grafting. The Journal of hand surgery, 41(5), 639-644. doi: 10.1016/j.cps.2006.05.001
[6] Uroskie, T. W., & Colen, L. B. (2004, May). History of breast reconstruction. In Seminars in plastic surgery (Vol. 18, No. 02, pp. 65-69). Copyright© 2004 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001 USA. doi:10.1055/s-2004-829040
[7] Branford, O. (2018). Fat transfer in aesthetic plastic surgery. Journal of Aesthetic Nursing, 7(1), 24-27. doi: 10.12968/joan.2018.7.1.24
[8] Bellini, E., Grieco, M. P., & Raposio, E. (2017). The science behind autologous fat grafting. Annals of medicine and surgery, 24, 65-73. doi: 10.1016/j.amsu.2017.11.001
[9] Han, Y., Li, X., Zhang, Y., Han, Y., Chang, F., & Ding, J. (2019). Mesenchymal stem cells for regenerative medicine. Cells, 8(8), 886. doi: 10.3390/cells8080886
[10] Coleman, S. R. (2006). Structural fat grafting: more than a permanent filler. Plastic and reconstructive surgery, 118(3S), 108S-120S. doi: 10.1097/01.prs.0000234610.81672.e7
[11] Coleman, Sydney R. M.D.. Structural Fat Grafting: More Than a Permanent Filler. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: September 1, 2006 - Volume 118 - Issue 3S - p 108S-120S doi: 10.1097/01.prs.0000234610.81672.e7
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