Overview of Autologous Fat Transplantation Breast Augmentation
Autologous fat transplantation breast augmentation is a popular cosmetic procedure that uses a patient's own fat cells to enhance breast size and shape. This approach offers several advantages compared to traditional breast implant surgery. It provides a more natural look and feel, as the fat used is from the patient's own body, reducing the risk of rejection and foreign body reactions.
To perform this procedure, fat is first harvested from areas of the body with excess fat, such as the abdomen, thighs, or buttocks, using liposuction techniques. The harvested fat is then processed and purified to remove any unwanted substances, and finally injected into the breasts.
Well - known Hospitals and Clinics in New York City for Autologous Fat Transplantation Breast Augmentation
Mount Sinai - New York
Mount Sinai is a renowned medical institution in New York City. It offers a comprehensive breast reconstruction and augmentation program.
- Autologous Breast Reconstruction Expertise: Mount Sinai West, under the direction of Hani Sbitany, MD, has special expertise in advanced, muscle - sparing, microsurgical techniques such as DIEP (deep inferior epigastric perforator) flap breast reconstruction. This approach takes a piece of skin and fat from one site on the body (like the abdomen) and transfers it to the chest to reconstruct the breast after mastectomy. The DIEP flap procedure completely avoids any muscle transfer and only involves the use of skin and fat, which means less impact on abdominal muscle function and a potential “tummy - tuck” effect. The procedure has several advantages over traditional autologous breast reconstruction methods that involve muscle transfer, such as shorter recovery time and less loss of movement and strength. However, it is not suitable for every patient. Patients must want autologous reconstruction after mastectomy, have sufficient fat tissue in the lower abdomen, and not have had certain types of abdominal surgery previously.
- Naturalfill Fat Transfer Technique: Mount Sinai surgeons have pioneered and perfected the Naturalfill® technique for breast augmentation. This two - step procedure involves first removing fat from the buttocks or abdomen with liposuction and then immediately inserting that fat into the breasts. This method allows patients to use their own fat deposits to enlarge their breasts, providing a more natural alternative to breast implants.
Dr. Adam Kolker's Practice
Dr. Adam Kolker is well - known for fat transfer breast augmentation in New York City.
- Procedure Details: Breast augmentation with fat transfer at his practice allows women to subtly enhance breast size by using their own fat cells. The procedure involves liposuction to harvest fat from areas such as the outer thighs, inner thighs, tummy, and the lumbar region. The harvested fat is carefully prepared and then transferred through small needle sites to the breast. The fat transfer process requires finesse and delicate technique to thread the cells into multiple planes of the breast to promote the best results.
- Patient Suitability: Ideal candidates for this procedure desire an increase in breast volume by approximately one - quarter of a cup size and have areas of “localized adiposity”. Women should have a body mass index (BMI) of below 25 kg/m², a normal mammogram, and no personal or family history of breast disease. However, it must be noted that only very small breast size increases can be anticipated with autologous fat transfer. If a larger increase is desired, breast augmentation with breast implants may be a better option.
- Brava System: To promote a well - vascularized “scaffold” for the acceptance of fat grafts to the breast, Dr. Kolker often uses the Brava system. Worn on the breasts for a designated time before surgery (ranging from days to weeks), the breasts are “expanded” in preparation for fat grafting, which can make the results of fat transfer more reliable and long - lasting.
Dr. Steven Wallach's Practice
Dr. Steven Wallach offers fat transfer breast augmentation as a safe, natural, and permanent option for breast enhancement in New York City.
- Procedure Steps: The fat transfer breast augmentation procedure at his practice is a three - step process. First, liposuction is used to remove fat from a specific problem area on the body, such as the abdomen. The excess fat is suctioned out and collected. Second, the transferred fat is purified to remove any other bodily fluids. This can be done by spinning vials of the collected fat in a centrifuge or allowing the fat to separate by gravity. Third, the purified fat is injected into the breasts through multiple strategic injection sites to ensure even distribution and a natural - looking breast shape.
- Patient Candidates: Women who want to augment their natural breast tissue by about a cup size without the use of breast implants may be good candidates. Ideal candidates should have realistic expectations for the procedure and the recovery process, be in overall good health, be non - smokers, and have achieved a healthy, stable weight. However, this procedure is not suitable for correcting sagging breasts, for which a breast lift may be more appropriate.
- Recovery and Results: Recovering from a fat grafting procedure is usually easier than healing after breast augmentation with implants. Patients typically need two or three days of recovery before they can return to work. They will also need to adjust their sleeping habits and wear a compression garment and surgical bra. New York City women who undergo fat transfer breast enlargement typically experience an increase of their breasts by about one cup size, although results vary by patient.
Dr. William Lao's Practice
Although the provided information about Dr. William Lao mainly focuses on facial procedures and fat grafting for the eyes, it's possible that his expertise in fat grafting can be extended to breast augmentation. He is a graduate of Johns Hopkins Medical School, which is one of the finest institutions in the world, indicating a high - level of medical training.
- Patient Testimonials: He has received many positive patient testimonials regarding his kindness, compassion, and high - quality surgical skills. For example, patients have reported that he was able to solve problems that other surgeons said were untreatable, and they were very satisfied with the natural - looking results of their surgeries.
- Possible Application in Breast Augmentation: Given his experience in fat grafting procedures for the face, it's reasonable to assume that he may have the knowledge and skills to perform autologous fat transplantation breast augmentation, which also involves fat harvesting and grafting.
New York City Liposuction Specialty Clinic
This clinic offers fat transfer breast augmentation as a more natural way to improve the size and shape of the breasts.
- Procedure and Results: Excess fat from the abdomen and legs can be moved to the breasts, and with a fat transfer, the breasts can increase up to 2 cups in size. The procedure combines liposuction of unwanted body fat from designated areas and transfers that unwanted fat to the breasts. After the procedure, patients have to wear a special support bra for a week and then can wear a regular bra in the second week. The duration of the procedure can be between 2 to 4 hours depending on the surgeon's experience. Typically, 40 to 50 percent of injected fat survives, and patients can expect a 1 - 2 cup size increase, with the final size achieved after about 2 - 4 months.
- Patient Suitability: Ideal candidates include women who have had children and their breasts have sagged, patients of breast implant removal, and those who want restoration of lost breast fullness or a moderate size increase. However, younger patients with small breasts and no additional skin to hold the transferred fat are not good candidates, unless they use a suction breast device like the Brava system.
- Advantages and Risks: The advantages of fat transfer augmentation at this clinic include using natural filler, no need for implants, rapid return to usual activities, no incisions (only small needle entry), and a complete natural look. However, there are also risks such as cysts, fat cell death, infection, the possibility of fat cell migration, and microcalcification.
Aristocrat Plastic Surgery
Under the leadership of Dr. Kevin Tehrani, this clinic offers breast fat injection as a minimally invasive technique for breast augmentation.
- Procedure Details: The breast fat injection procedure starts with a consultation where Dr. Tehrani assesses the patient's candidacy, discusses goals, and explains risks and benefits. Then, pre - operative preparations are made, followed by liposuction to harvest excess fat from donor areas such as the abdomen, thighs, or flanks. The collected fat is processed to purify it, and then injected into various areas of the breasts (above the muscle, in the muscle itself, and under the muscle) through small incisions. To contour the breasts for a pleasing and symmetrical result, Dr. Tehrani may also remove fat from other specific areas of the breast.
- Patient Candidates: Ideal candidates are women who want a moderate increase in breast size (up to one cup size) and have sufficient excess body fat. They should be in good overall health, non - smokers, and have realistic expectations. Women who want to increase their breast size beyond one cup size should consider breast augmentation with implants.
- Recovery: The recovery time is relatively short, with most patients able to return to their daily routines within a week. However, strenuous activities should be avoided for a few weeks. Immediately after the surgery, patients may experience swelling, bruising, and discomfort, which will gradually subside. A compression garment is usually worn to minimize swelling and support the newly injected fat. Follow - up appointments are scheduled to monitor progress.
Comparing Autologous Fat Transplantation with Breast Implants
| Aspect | Autologous Fat Transplantation | Breast Implants |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Provides a more natural look and feel as it uses the patient's own fat. The breasts blend better with the body's natural contour, especially for patients with some existing breast tissue. | The result can be more variable. With smaller implants and more breast tissue, the appearance can be natural, but larger implants may give a more obvious “augmented” look, especially in thinner patients. |
| Size Increase | Typically limited to a small to moderate increase (up to 1 - 2 cup sizes). Multiple procedures may be required for a larger increase, and the amount of fat that can be successfully transferred is also a limiting factor. | Can achieve a more dramatic size increase, and there is a wider range of implant sizes available to meet different patient goals. |
| Recovery Time | Generally has a shorter recovery time. Patients may experience some bruising and swelling, but they can usually return to normal daily activities within a few days to a week, although strenuous exercise should be avoided for a few weeks. | Recovery time can be longer. There may be more pain and discomfort initially, and it can take several weeks to resume normal activities, especially those involving the chest. Full recovery may take a few months. |
| Complications | Risks include fat necrosis (death of fat cells), cysts, infection, and uneven fat distribution. Microcalcification can also occur, which may complicate breast cancer surveillance. | Complications can include implant rupture, capsular contracture (hardening of the tissue around the implant), infection, and changes in nipple sensation. Implants may also need to be replaced every 10 - 20 years. |
| Cost | The cost can be relatively high as it usually involves both liposuction and fat transfer procedures. It can start at around $9000, depending on the patient's BMI and the number of areas treated. | The cost varies depending on the type of implant and the surgical fees. Generally, the cost of breast implant surgery can be comparable to or slightly lower than autologous fat transplantation, especially considering long - term costs such as potential implant replacement. |
Considerations Before Choosing a Hospital or Clinic
Surgeon's Experience and Credentials
It is crucial to choose a surgeon who is board - certified in plastic surgery and has extensive experience in autologous fat transplantation breast augmentation. Check their educational background, training, and the number of similar procedures they have performed. For example, at Mount Sinai, surgeons like Hani Sbitany, MD, are well - known for their expertise in advanced breast reconstruction techniques.
Patient Reviews and Testimonials
Reading patient reviews and testimonials can give you an idea of the quality of care and the results achieved at a particular hospital or clinic. For instance, Dr. Kolker has received many positive testimonials from patients who are satisfied with their fat transfer breast augmentation results, such as feeling more confident and happy with their new appearance.
Facility Accreditation
Ensure that the hospital or clinic is accredited by recognized organizations. Accreditation indicates that the facility meets certain standards of safety and quality in patient care. This helps to ensure that the procedure will be performed in a safe and professional environment.
Consultation Process
A comprehensive consultation is essential. The surgeon should take the time to understand your goals, assess your suitability for the procedure, and explain all the details, including the risks and benefits. For example, during a consultation with Dr. Wallach, he will perform an examination, collect your medical history, and offer a recommended treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
Conclusion
Autologous fat transplantation breast augmentation is a popular and effective cosmetic procedure that offers a natural alternative to breast implants. In New York City, there are several well - known hospitals and clinics, such as Mount Sinai, Dr. Kolker's practice, Dr. Wallach's practice, Dr. Lao's practice, New York City Liposuction Specialty Clinic, and Aristocrat Plastic Surgery, that provide high - quality services in this area. Each institution has its own unique approach, expertise, and patient - suitability criteria.
If you are considering autologous fat transplantation breast augmentation, it is important to do thorough research, consider all the factors mentioned above, and consult with a qualified surgeon. They can help you make an informed decision based on your individual goals and circumstances. Don't hesitate to reach out to these professionals to learn more about the procedure and determine if it's the right choice for you. Share this article with others who may be interested in this topic and explore more resources on cosmetic surgery to make the best decision for your body.
