Introduction
In the bustling metropolis of New York City, the demand for aesthetic enhancements, especially autologous fat liposuction breast augmentation, has been on the rise. This procedure offers a natural alternative to traditional breast augmentation methods using implants, as it utilizes a patient's own fat cells. In this comprehensive article, we will explore the different plastic hospitals in New York City that offer this procedure, the benefits and limitations of autologous fat liposuction breast augmentation, and what patients can expect during the process.
What is Autologous Fat Liposuction Breast Augmentation?
Autologous fat liposuction breast augmentation, also known as fat transfer breast augmentation, is a procedure that involves removing fat from one area of the body, typically the abdomen, thighs, or buttocks, using liposuction techniques. The harvested fat is then processed and purified before being injected into the breasts to increase their volume and enhance their shape. This procedure offers several advantages, including a more natural look and feel, the ability to contour the donor area, and a reduced risk of complications compared to breast implants.
Benefits of Autologous Fat Liposuction Breast Augmentation
- Natural Results: Since the procedure uses the patient's own fat, the results look and feel more natural compared to breast implants.
- Body Contouring: In addition to enhancing the breasts, the procedure also allows for body contouring of the donor area, resulting in a more proportionate figure.
- Reduced Risk of Complications: There is a lower risk of complications such as capsular contracture, implant rupture, and allergic reactions compared to breast implants.
- Long-Lasting Results: Once the transferred fat cells have established a blood supply, the results are long-lasting.
Limitations of Autologous Fat Liposuction Breast Augmentation
- Limited Volume Increase: Only a small to moderate increase in breast size can be achieved with this procedure. If a significant increase in breast size is desired, breast implants may be a better option.
- Variable Fat Survival: Not all of the transferred fat cells will survive, and multiple procedures may be required to achieve the desired results.
- Fat Donor Site Requirements: Sufficient fat must be available in the donor area for the procedure to be successful.
Plastic Hospitals in New York City Offering Autologous Fat Liposuction Breast Augmentation
William Lao, MD
Dr. William Lao is a highly skilled plastic surgeon who offers autologous fat grafting breast augmentation in New York City. He has provided surgery for patients from almost every continent in the world, demonstrating his international reputation and expertise. Dr. Lao is a graduate of Johns Hopkins Medical School, one of the finest institutions in the world, and has received numerous positive reviews from his patients. For example, a 57-year-old female patient had a facial procedure done by Dr. Lao in December 2014, including eyelid and face lifts, and was 100% satisfied with the results, stating that she looked 10 years younger and her confidence level was off the charts. Another patient with uneven eyelids due to a previous double eyelid surgery had her problem easily solved by Dr. Lao using a minimum invasive suture technique and a fat grafting procedure, and she was extremely grateful for the transformation of her eyes.
NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn
NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn has announced the appointment of Alyssa Golas, MD, who provides advanced reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery services, including autologous fat liposuction breast augmentation. Dr. Golas is a clinical assistant professor in the Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery at NYU Langone Health. She offers postmastectomy breast reconstruction options that previously were only available through NYU Langone at Tisch Hospital in Manhattan. Dr. Golas also performs "free flaps" and fat grafting using liposuction to either create or augment breast reconstruction. The expanded breast reconstruction service at NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn ensures more tailored, personalized care for postsurgical breast cancer patients, including state-of-the-art options utilizing implants or one’s own tissue to recreate a natural breast, and nipple-sparing techniques. Patients can also be considered for one-stage "direct-to-implant" reconstruction following mastectomy, often referred to as breast in a day.
Dr. Adam Kolker
Dr. Adam Kolker offers fat transfer breast augmentation in New York City. His procedure allows women to subtly enhance breast size using their own fat cells. For women who desire a small increase in breast size (approximately ¼ cup size) and have areas of fat excess for which liposuction treatment is being contemplated, fat transfer breast augmentation may be ideal. There are several advantages to this procedure, including no incisions (only needle access sites are used), shorter downtime, and no implant “maintenance” (breast implants will likely need to be replaced at some point in the future). Dr. Kolker will assess a patient's anatomic contour and discuss their desires in detail during the initial consultation. He will evaluate areas of excess fat and identify the regions that will best contribute to fat transfer as well as improved body contour. The best fat transfer breast augmentation candidates desire an increase in their breast volume by approximately one quarter of a cup size and have sufficient fat elsewhere from which to harvest the fat grafts. Women should also have a body mass index (BMI) of below 25 kg/m², have a normal mammogram, and no personal or family history of breast disease.
Steven Wallach MD, FACS
Dr. Steven Wallach offers fat transfer breast augmentation in New York City. His fat grafting procedure is safe, natural, and permanent, making it a great option for people seeking surgical breast enhancement. In a fat transfer procedure, Dr. Wallach harvests fat cells from other areas of the body using liposuction, processes them, and then re-injects them into the breasts using multiple strategic injection sites. The liposuction used to harvest the fat cells has an added benefit of helping contour the body by removing excess fat elsewhere, such as around the waist. Ideal candidates for this procedure are women who want to augment their natural breast tissue by about a cup size without the use of breast implants and have realistic expectations for the procedure and the recovery process. During a consultation with Dr. Wallach, patients can expect to express their concerns and goals, undergo an examination of their problem areas, and receive a recommended treatment plan.
Dr. Leonard Grossman
Dr. Leonard Grossman pioneered and perfected the procedure of fat grafting or fat transfer to the breasts in 1995. He considers breast augmentation with fat to be the best breast augmentation procedure as long as the patient has enough fat for harvest and transfer. In the procedure of fat transfer in breast augmentation, fat is harvested from the areas where it is not wanted, such as the thighs, waistline, or the abdomen, using a syringe or specialized vacuum pump and a very small cannula. The fat cells are then washed, centrifuged, and chemically stabilized for transfer and injected into the breasts scarlessly with a specially modified needle. Patients can expect an increase in the breast size of approximately one to one and a half cup sizes from a single procedure of fat-stem cell transfer. The removal and harvest of fat by Dr. Grossman is very gentle, and most patients don’t even bruise or have much discomfort. The procedure is normally done under twilight anesthesia, resulting in no postoperative nausea and an extremely quick recuperative period. Most patients are able to go out for dinner the very same evening.
Dr. Kevin Tehrani - Aristocrat Plastic Surgery
Dr. Kevin Tehrani is an expert plastic surgeon, particularly with regard to breast procedures. His breast fat injection procedure, which is a form of autologous fat transfer, is ideal for women who have excess fat on their body that they would like to remove and also wish to increase breast fullness using natural tissue rather than implants. The procedure involves removing excess fat cells from other areas of the body using a cannula and a vacuum machine, similar to a simple procedure in liposuction. The excess fat is specially treated and then injected into three areas of the breast – above the muscle, in the muscle itself, and under the muscle. Dr. Tehrani also removes fat from other specific and targeted areas of the breast to contour the breasts and make them appear larger and perfectly shaped. The ideal candidate for this procedure is a woman seeking a modest increase in breast volume with a natural appearance, who has sufficient excess body fat, is in good overall health, a non-smoker, and has realistic expectations about the outcome.
The Procedure of Autologous Fat Liposuction Breast Augmentation
Consultation
The first step in the autologous fat liposuction breast augmentation process is a consultation with a plastic surgeon. During this consultation, the patient will discuss their goals, expectations, and medical history with the surgeon. The surgeon will perform a physical examination to assess the patient's suitability for the procedure and determine the amount of fat that can be harvested and transferred. The surgeon will also explain the procedure in detail, including the risks, benefits, and recovery process.
Pre - operative Preparation
If the patient is deemed a suitable candidate for the procedure, they will be given pre - operative instructions. These instructions may include guidelines on diet, exercise, and medications to avoid in the days leading up to the surgery. The patient may also need to undergo some medical tests, such as blood tests or a mammogram, to ensure their safety during the procedure. Additionally, the patient will need to arrange for someone to drive them to and from the surgical center on the day of the surgery.
Liposuction and Fat Harvesting
On the day of the procedure, the patient will be placed under anesthesia, either local or general, depending on the surgeon's recommendation and the patient's preferences. The surgeon will then perform liposuction to harvest excess fat from the donor areas of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, or buttocks. A cannula, a thin tube connected to a vacuum device, is used to suction out the fat. The fat is collected in a container for processing.
Fat Processing
After the fat has been harvested, it is processed to separate impurities, excess fluids, and damaged fat cells from the healthy fat cells. This can be done by spinning the collected fat in a centrifuge, which separates the fat and fluids into distinct layers, allowing the surgeon to isolate the fat cells for re - injection. Alternatively, the fat can be allowed to separate by gravity and then collected in syringes or an aspiration cannister.
Fat Injection into the Breasts
Using small, carefully placed incisions, the surgeon injects the purified fat into various areas of the breasts to achieve the desired size and shape. Multiple injections may be performed, and the surgeon will pay careful attention to ensure even distribution and symmetry. The goal is to create a natural - looking and proportionate breast shape.
Recovery
After the procedure, the patient may be fitted with a compression garment to help reduce swelling and ensure optimal contouring. Most patients can return home the same day but should arrange for someone to drive them. The patient will need to follow post - operative care instructions provided by the surgeon, which typically include taking prescribed medications, wearing the compression garment as directed, and avoiding strenuous activities for a specified period. Swelling and bruising are common after the procedure but should subside over time. The final results of the procedure may not be immediately apparent, as some of the injected fat may be absorbed by the body. Over the course of several weeks, the surviving fat cells will establish blood flow and settle into their new position.
Cost Considerations
The cost of autologous fat liposuction breast augmentation in New York City can vary depending on several factors, including the surgeon's experience, the location of the surgical facility, the amount of fat to be harvested and transferred, and any additional procedures that may be performed. It is important for patients to get a detailed cost estimate from their chosen surgeon during the consultation process. Some insurance companies may cover the cost of breast reconstruction surgery following a mastectomy, but autologous fat liposuction breast augmentation for cosmetic purposes is usually not covered by insurance.
Risks and Complications
As with any surgical procedure, autologous fat liposuction breast augmentation carries some risks and complications. These may include:
- Infection: There is a risk of infection at the incision sites or in the breasts.
- Bleeding: Some bleeding may occur during or after the procedure.
- Asymmetry: The breasts may not be perfectly symmetrical after the procedure.
- Fat Necrosis: Some of the transferred fat cells may die, leading to the formation of lumps or nodules in the breasts.
- Calcifications: The formation of calcifications in the breasts may occur, which can sometimes be confused with breast cancer on a mammogram.
- Poor Fat Survival: Not all of the transferred fat cells may survive, and multiple procedures may be required to achieve the desired results.
It is important for patients to discuss these risks with their surgeon and to choose a board - certified plastic surgeon with experience in performing autologous fat liposuction breast augmentation to minimize the risks and achieve the best possible outcome.
Conclusion
Autologous fat liposuction breast augmentation is a popular and effective procedure for women in New York City who are looking to enhance their breast size and shape using a natural alternative to breast implants. There are several reputable plastic hospitals and surgeons in the city who offer this procedure, each with their own unique approach and expertise. Before undergoing the procedure, patients should thoroughly research their options, have a detailed consultation with a qualified surgeon, and understand the benefits, limitations, risks, and recovery process. By making an informed decision and choosing the right surgeon, patients can achieve beautiful, natural - looking results and improve their confidence and self - esteem.
If you are considering autologous fat liposuction breast augmentation in New York City, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with one of the experienced plastic surgeons mentioned in this article. They will be able to answer all of your questions, assess your suitability for the procedure, and help you achieve your aesthetic goals. Don't hesitate to take the first step towards a more confident you!
