Fat Transfer to Breast Surgery Melbourne

Breast Augmentation using Fat Grafting or Fat Transfer in Melbourne Victoria by Dr Carmen Munteanu

Natural Breast Augmentation Surgery Using Your Own Fat – Fat Transfer to Breasts

Using Fat transfer for breast enlargement or natural breast augmentation surgery is becoming increasingly popular. Fat grafting or autologous fat transfer (AFT) can help you achieve bigger and more shapely breasts without having breast implants.

Dr Carmen Munteanu, a Female Specialist Plastic Surgeon is now offering Breast Enlargement using Fat Injections and Fat Grafting in Melbourne.

During the procedure, your own fat is harvested by liposuction, processed and then carefully placed into your breast.

A Fat transfer to breast surgery is ideal for a patient seeking a modest increase in the size of their breasts. Typically a half or one bra cup size increase per treatment. Multiple procedures may be required. 

There are many different ways to harvest, process and inject your fat with the aim to ensure the highest survival rate of the transplanted fat and the most pleasing aesthetic outcome.The surgery is typically performed under general anesthetic in sterile theatre conditions in an accredited hospital.

What is Breast Augmentation by Fat Transfer?

Fat Transfer or Fat Grafting is a surgical process that involves liposuction harvesting of excess body fat from one area of the body, processing the harvested fat, and then transplanting the processed fat into the breasts to increase volume or restore lost volume such as occurs post-pregnancy or with weight changes.

Am I a suitable Candidate for fat transfer?

• Ideal candidates for Autologous Fat Breast Augmentation want a half a cup to a one cup size increase and can maintain a stable weight.
• If You desire only a modest increase in bra cup size or a solution to minor breast asymmetry problems.
• You’ll need to have some good quality excess fat in your donor site that can be removed by Liposuction
• You’ll need to be committed to the pre-surgery and post-surgery process to maximise the amount of fat that grafts or ‘takes hold’ in your breasts

What are the Benefits of Fat Grafting Breast Enhancement?

• Increases your breast volume and shape
• Assists with matching volumes & shape of uneven or lopsided breasts – Breast Asymmetry
• The enlargement results can offer you a wider choice of clothing and bras
• You may enjoy more confidence and attention

What are the Advantages of using your own fat for breast enlargement?

• Silicone Breast Implants are not required
• Your breasts will feel completely natural – it’s really you
• The fat removal process can help to contour other areas of your body
• It’s natural and the injected fat can improve the quality and appearance of your skin
• Less breast scarring compared to a breast implant as the fat is transferred by injection

Before and After Photos of Fat Transfer to Breast Patient

• Click here to see more real patients of Dr Carmen Munteanu’s Breast Fat Transfer before and after photos in the gallery.

The Fat Grafting Procedure – How is the Fat Transferred to the Breast?

Fat transfer is a surgical technique where fat is taken from one location via liposuction, then that fat is collected and introduced in small strands into the breast area to increase the volume or change the shape of the breast. Breast Enlargement Fat transfer can be used alone or in conjunction with other breast procedures like breast implants to create a composite or hybrid breast augmentation.

Fat is taken from your buttocks, thighs, flanks or tummy/lower abdomen and is injected into your breasts.

Breast enlargement at transfer is a delicate procedure requiring a very skilled surgeon with experience in liposuction and the fat re-injection process. Your fat is transferred as a living tissue graft and will continue to survive and thrive in the breast provided local biological conditions are suitable. However, if too much oil or under-processed fat is transferred into your tissues, the fat will not survive and uneven lumpiness or oil cysts can occur.

Dr Carmen uses a ‘closed loop fat processing system’ such as the Revolve or Pure Graft system. This has been shown to deliver fat that is of better quality in a more sterile condition and hence has a higher level of survival long term.

Recovery after Fat Grafting Breast Enlargement

You will initially have some swelling and bruising in both the donor and breast sites.

It is recommended that patients maintain a stable weight for approx 3 months after the procedure. Mild regular exercise that the patient is used to is OK to continue.

Most reliable end results of fat transfer are usually seen around 3 months after postop swelling has resided.

Should I have Fat Transfer or Breast Implants or Both?

• At this stage, fat transfer can only provide a modest enlargement of your breasts – may be one cup size per treatment.
• You’ll need to be realistic about the possible outcomes and multiple procedures may be required to get your desired breast volume increase.
• This may NOT be the right surgery for you and you may still need breast augmentation with implants or breast lift surgery to get the look you want.

How to find the best Fat Transfer Surgeon in Melbourne

Always choose a specialist plastic surgeon that has experience in your desired procedure. Make sure you check the AHPRA and ASPS websites to ensure they are really a plastic surgeon. Read their online reviews and ask to see their before and after patients. 

Artistic skill, experience and good judgement are needed to avoid complications and to achieve an outstanding fat transfer result.

How much is the Fat Transfer to Breast Procedure – Prices & Costs of Fat Grafting

The cost of fat transfer is similar to that of breast augmentation using a breast implant. 

All Surgery is customised and Dr Carmen’s team will give you a price for your Breast uplifting surgery that will depend on the exact type of procedure you require, the hospital you attend and the length of your stay.

After your initial consultation, you will be given a detailed quote. This will include the Surgeon’s fee, Anaesthetist fee, Surgical Assistant fee and the hospital fees.

We can also provide information on Payment Plans, Finance, Private Health Insurance and different methods of payment.

Fat Transfer FAQs

How much of the fat will survive?

Approx 40-60% of the fat introduced into the breast will remain with a smaller amount being reabsorbed. The survival rate of transplanted fat depends on many factors including quality of your original donor fat, type of fat processing, surgical techniques used and your health & diet during recovery

Where can the fat be taken from?

Finding your best quality fat is critical for transplant – this can include fat from your abdomen, hips, back or legs.  It also must be your own fat.

Is the fat transfer enlargement permanent?

Once the fat has taken it remains as your own fat as long as you maintain your weight. 

What happens to the fat if I gain or Lose weight?

If you gain or lose weight the fat transfer will increase or decrease similar to the rest of your body. You can assist the uptake of your transferred fat by eating well during recovery.

Risks and Complications of a Fat Transfer to Breasts Procedure

Every surgery has some risks and possible complications.

Dr Carmen will cover the potential risks and complications during your consultation as part of your informed consent. She will also explain the measures she will take in order to reduce your risks as much as possible.

Possible complications of surgery include the following:

• Complications related to general anaesthetic or side effects of drugs used in hospital
• Bleeding – reduced by preoperative testing of possible blood anomalies, accurate technique, use of drains, particular dressings, compressive garments
• Infection – prevented/reduced by judicious use of antibiotics, good surgical technique, modern sealing dressings, appropriate care, advice
• Abnormal or asymmetrical scarring– Many scars can be improved if approached in the right time frame in the right way.
• Fluid build-up or seroma 
• Other risks include – Numbness and Pain, Wound breakdown and delayed healing, unsightly or keloid Scarring,
• Serious complications such as possible Heart attack, Deep Vein Thrombosis, Pulmonary Embolism

For more information about risks of surgery and possible complications

Specific possible complications of breast surgery can include the following:

• Changes to nipple sensation majority transient in nature,
• Potential breast asymmetries– “breasts are sisters not twins”
• Risk of BIA-ALCL– Generally associated only with textured implants
• Risk of BII– Breast implant illness

Inflammation, Infection, Pain, Seroma, Scar presence, Asymmetry, Necrosis

Things you can do to minimise your risks and complications of surgery

• Read all your surgical documents and follow instructions of your surgeon precisely – rest & Allow time to heal, wear your compression garments as instructed, avoid removing your own bandages or touching at the incision site until it has healed properly.
• Do NOT Smoke at all during the surgical journey – especially critical in the periods before and after surgery
• Be accurate and upfront about ALL your medications, supplements and vitamins that you are currently taking – Tell both Dr Carmen and your anaesthetist
• When providing your medical history give specific details about ANY past difficulties you have had with surgery, anaesthesia, hospital visits or healing
• Thorough pre-washing of your own body prior to surgery can reduce skin bacteria and risk of infection.
• Successful surgical outcomes are the result of a number of considerations – realistic surgical goals, realistic patient expectations, and a good knowledge and understanding of possible risks and complications.

Planning your Breast Surgery

There are many options when it comes to breast surgery. Every option requires careful and individual planning to ensure it is the correct choice for your desired outcome. Each and every option has its advantages and disadvantages which need to be addressed and understood before you proceed with your surgery.

Dr Carmen offers breast procedures which are anatomy-based; she strongly believes the most natural appearance is ideal for her patients. Further to this, while you may have your own ideas about your ideal cup size, the dimensions of your body, specifically the width of your rib cage underneath the breast and your shoulder frame are the main determinants of the maximum size of fat transfer which is feasible for you to receive.

During your consultation, Dr Carmen will carefully listen to your concerns and expectations, as well as discussing your reasons for surgery, health history, and risk factors. Your diet, exercise, personality, body frame and quality of your breast tissue are also factors which will need to be taken into consideration.

After conducting a comprehensive medical examination, Dr Carmen will advise you of the options she feels are best suited to your individual case. She will also further discuss the expected results, and recommend a treatment plan, from the preparation stage through to the aftercare.

Further Reading – Medical References

• American Society of Plastic Surgeon page on Fat Transefer in Breast Augmentation surgery
• BPS- The Pros and Cons of Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery- Safety Profiles of Fat Processing Techniques in Autologous Fat Transfer for Breast Reconstruction
• British Journal of Hospital Medicine- Autologous fat transfer for breast surgery