Breast Fat Transfer

Breast Fat Transfer | Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation Mammoplasty

Breast fat transfer or fat grafting in Brisbane is a procedure that involves the transfer of fat from a chosen area of the body (such as the thighs) to the breasts. The goal of the procedure is to increase size and alter the shape. A major consideration for many women thinking about undergoing breast augmentation mammoplasty surgery is the possibility of noticeably fake breasts. As a result, fat transfer has become a common option to help achieve a more subtle breast augmentation mammoplasty. The most common application of fat transfer is to complement the results of existing breast implants.

In some rare cases, fat transfer may be performed on its own if a patient does not want breast implants. There are several limitations to standalone fat transfer however, and patients should be aware of these limitations prior to undergoing this procedure. Dr. Richardson usually performs this procedure alongside breast augmentation mammoplasty with implants, or as a standalone procedure for those that want a very subtle enhancement.

What is fat grafting and how does it work?

Fat grafting or breast fat transfer involves liposuction to areas of the body and uses fat transfer technology to re-administer the fat to the breasts. The procedure generally takes fat from areas such as the lower abdomen and inner thighs. Fat transfer surgery should be performed under general anaesthetic with a fully qualified anaesthetist in an accredited hospital. Dr. Richardson operates alongside a team of fully qualified anaesthetists who have been working with him for over 18 years.

Fat transfer breast augmentation mammoplasty surgery begins with liposuction—a process whereby fat cells are taken through a hollow instrument known as a cannula which is inserted under the skin. A high-pressure vacuum essentially sucks the fat through the cannula. The liposuction aspect of the procedure permanently removes fat cells, however there is a limit to the amount of harvested fat. This is because too much fat removal can relate to lumpiness or indentation in the skin.

Fat grafting technology processes the fat harvested through liposuction. This technology is designed to filter, wash, and remove collagen strands from the fat to ensure high-quality, pure fat is extracted. The quality of fat is integral to successful outcomes and reduced complications. Once the fat has been filtered, these fat cells are re-injected into the patient’s breasts to create the desired fullness in certain areas. There are no incisions associated with fat grafting, but rather puncture marks and bruising in areas where the fat has been either removed or injected.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks and before proceeding, you should seek an opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner such as Dr. Richardson.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your Consultation

At your initial consultation with specialist plastic surgeon Dr. Philip Richardson, you will be greeted by our reception staff who will provide you will a patient registration form and take any reports or referral letters. We will be available in the waiting room to answer any questions you have about potential surgery, dates or booking information. Dr. Richardson will then invite you into your consultation, where you will take time to discuss your goals and reasons for attending the clinic.

Your consultation with Dr. Richardson is an opportunity to thoroughly discuss what you want to achieve from a breast fat transfer procedure where he will formulate a treatment plan to suit these goals. Dr. Richardson seeks to understand each patient’s unique lifestyle so that he can create their surgical plan accordingly. A fat grafting procedure can be performed as a standalone procedure however, it is commonly performed with a breast augmentation mammoplasty for patients seeking a noticeable size increase. In this case, Dr. Richardson will discuss the type of implant and the implant placement may vary according to patient hobbies, occupation, plans for future children, and other lifestyle considerations. You will discuss with Dr. Richardson your desired breast shape and size, and he will take your medical history and measurements. It’s very helpful if patients bring photos with inspiration of their desired breast aesthetic, as this helps to place both patient and surgeon on the same page.

After you have thoroughly discussed your goals and Dr. Richardson has an understanding of what you would like to achieve, he will provide a number of recommendations. In the case that you are seeking a combined breast augmentation mammoplasty and fat transfer procedure, Dr. Richardson will provide information and recommendations relating to the type of implant including size, shape, and profile, as well as the placement of the implant and surgical technique. At your initial consultation you will also be able to try on a number of trial implants in a sports bra to gauge the feeling of implant sizing and profiles. You will not make any concrete decisions at this appointment, but Dr. Richardson will write down your potential implant options which you can trial again at your second consult.

Dr. Richardson will then confirm your surgical procedure, discuss the operation and recovery, and educate you thoroughly regarding the risks associated with the procedure. Once you are fully satisfied and feel all your questions have been answered, Dr. Richardson will then guide you out to our patient liaison, who will help you take the next steps in your journey and answer any additional questions you may have. We will have a chat to you about when you are considering surgery, provide you with your personal quote and additional pertinent details of your surgical procedure to assist and ensure you can make an informed decision. For patients who may be ready to book in as soon as possible, we will schedule your required second consultation with Dr. Richardson to confirm your treatment plan before we can secure your surgery date. For other patients who may have a specific time frame in mind according to their annual leave and personal circumstances, our patient liaisons team can provide you with a number of hospital quotes for your desired time period to help you make the best decision for you. You will be sent home on your consultation day with a folder that includes our comprehensive BPCS magazine that is an intensive guide from consultation to post-op care. The rest of the team are here to answer any questions you may have and ensure that you feel completely prepared to make a decision!

Fat Grafting Costs

Fat grafting is considered a cosmetic procedure. As a result, costs are subject to consultation with Dr. Richardson. Would you like a rough quote for fat transfer in Brisbane and more information about available consultation dates? Click here.

Risks

As with any surgery, there are risks involved with a breast fat transfer procedure. It is important for patients to consider all possible adverse responses that may arise from; general anaesthetic, bruising, swelling, excessive bleeding, infection, and scarring. When a fat transfer procedure is combined with a breast augmentation, the potential risks associated include capsular contracture, fluid build-up around the implant, changes in nipple sensation, implant leakage, rippling of the implant, and asymmetry.

Serious adverse effects, however, are very uncommon. Dr. Richardson does everything possible to prevent and treat negative side effects during and following a fat grafting procedure. These risks and complications will be discussed at your consultation. We place a large emphasis on educating patients regarding potential risks to ensure both parties are taking all measures to prevent and understand them.

You can learn more about the risks of surgery here.

Finance & Paying for Surgery

For patients seeking surgery, finance and payment methods can be arranged to suit the patient’s personal preference and circumstances. We accept the following payment options:

cash
debit card
credit card
cheque
direct bank transfer
partial payments made over a period of time, ensuring full payment is made at least 2 weeks prior to surgery
Zip Pay / Zip Money

The Australian Medical Board and Australian Society of Plastic Surgery Code of Conduct prevents surgeons from offering “financing schemes to patients, either directly or through a third party, such as loans or commercial payment plans” [14.3, Guidelines for Registered Medical Practitioners who perform cosmetic medical and surgical procedures, 2023].

Schedule a Consultation

If you are interested in learning more about a fat grafting procedure with Dr. Richardson, we encourage you to contact our practice with any questions you may have or request a consultation with Specialist Plastic Surgeon, Dr Phil Richardson to discuss your options. We would be pleased to assist you in any way that we can.