Posted on: February 2, 2023
The amount of fat needed for a breast fat transfer can vary depending on the desired size of the breasts. Generally, it takes between 200-500 mL of fat to increase a breast size by one or two sizes.
The difference between a fat transfer to breasts and a fat transfer to buttocks is that the fat transfer to breasts requires more precision and skill. The fat must be carefully injected into the breast tissue to ensure that it is evenly distributed and that it does not affect the surrounding tissue. Additionally, the fat must be injected into the right area of the breast to ensure that the breast looks natural after the transfer.
Not enough fat? You feel you don’t have enough fat in your belly? A person can gain some fat first if they do not have enough fat deposits for a transfer. However, it is important that the person consults with a qualified surgeon to ensure that the fat is of good quality and that the person is healthy enough for the procedure.
Yes, the size of your breasts may shrink if you lose weight after a fat transfer procedure. However, according to a study published in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the amount of fat that remains after a fat transfer to the breast is very stable, even with a 10% weight loss. The authors of the study concluded that fat transfer to the breast is a safe and effective method for permanent breast augmentation.
However, if a patient loses a significant amount of weight after a fat transfer procedure, there is a risk of sagging or deflation of the breasts. This is due to the fact that the skin of the breast may not have had enough time to adjust to the new size of the breasts, and thus may not have enough elasticity to accommodate the smaller size.
Sources:
1. Gart, A., & Tebbetts, J. B. (2017). Fat Transfer to the Breast: A Systematic Review. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 140(2), 454-462.
2. Manchanda, R., & Manchanda, S. (2017). Role of fat transfer in breast augmentation: A review. Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery, 50(3), 437-444.
On average, a natural breast augmentation with fat transfer takes between 2-4 hours to complete. The individual steps of the procedure typically take as follows:
Anesthesia administration (15-30)
Liposuction of the donor site (30-45)
Purification of the fat (30-45)
Injection of the fat into the breast (45-60)
The volume of fat to be transferred does affect the duration of the procedure, as the more fat that needs to be transferred, the longer the liposuction and purification steps will take. Other factors that affect the duration of the procedure include the number of donor sites, the amount of fat that can be harvested from each donor site, the complexity of the injection technique, and the experience of the surgeon.
|
Step
|
Average Duration (minutes)
|
|---|---|
|
Anesthesia
|
15-30
|
|
Harvesting of fat
|
30-45
|
|
Purification of fat
|
30-45
|
|
Injection of fat
|
45-60
|
|
Recovery
|
30-60
|
Immediately after the procedure, the breasts will look slightly larger than before the procedure. The breasts may also appear slightly swollen and bruised. The shape of the breasts will not be immediately visible as the body needs to heal and the fat cells need to settle.
The next day
, the breasts may still appear swollen, but the bruising should start to fade. The shape of the breasts should become more visible as the fat cells start to settle.
One week
after the procedure, the swelling should start to subside, and the breasts should become more defined. The bruising should be almost completely gone.
Two weeks
after the procedure, the breasts should look more natural, but the shape may still be slightly off. The breasts may also still feel slightly tender.
One month
after the procedure, the breasts should have settled and the shape should be more natural. The breasts may still be slightly swollen, but the swelling should be minimal.
Two months
after the procedure, the breasts should be fully healed and the shape should be natural. The breasts may still be slightly tender, but the swelling and bruising should be gone.
1. Up to two cup sizes can be increased with fat transfer. The maximum recommended amount of fat graft that can be inserted into the breast for enlargement is approximately 200-300 cc.
2. Expert surgeons prefer to limit the transferred fat volume to 50-100cc per session, as any more than this can increase the risk of fat necrosis, and other complications. For example, plastic surgeon Dr. Paul Nassif recommends limiting fat transfers to less than 100cc per session.
3. The ratio of viable purified fat to the fat extracted with lipo is typically between 80-90%.
4. Generally, up to 60-70% of the extracted fat can be re-injected into the areas of augmentation.
5. If a patient is not satisfied with the volume increase, most doctors recommend waiting at least 6 months before considering a second fat transfer.
6. Doctors generally advise against repeated fat transfers to keep augmenting the same target area, as this can increase the risk of fat necrosis and other complications.
It is generally safe to exercise after a fat transfer, however it is important to be aware of the type of exercise you choose. Weight lifting can be done, but it is important to use proper form and not lift too heavy. Swimming can also be done, but it is important to avoid any intensive swimming techniques that involve a lot of bouncing or jarring of the chest area. It is best to avoid any exercise that puts a lot of stress on the chest area for the first few weeks after the fat transfer.
