Breast augmentation with own fat
The amount of fat under the skin (subcutaneous tissue) gradually starts disappearing as we age and this can be seen quite clearly in the breasts.
The technique which allows volume to be added to different areas of the body by using the patient’s own fat as filling material is known as Lipostructure. For breasts, this fat is inserted into the subcutaneous tissue at an intramuscular level.
Using the patient’s own fat as a filling material, to restore and provide volume or to remodel, prevents any chance of rejection or incompatibility because the material comes from the patient’s own body. Autologous fat is defined as the best fill material and the least harmful for the body.
The technique used for the fat implantation is extremely important in order to ensure that it survives after the implantation and retains the same volume, as well as ensuring that the fat is not reabsorbed over the years.
Preoperative
After you have decided to undergo the procedure, there will be preoperative work (ECG, mammography, a full range of tests and a coagulation analysis).
At the second appointment, Dr. A.M. Torres will provide you with full details concerning the surgery.
Anaesthesia
To obtain and then implant the fatty tissue, a local anaesthetic and sometimes a sedative is required, depending on the patient and the amount of fat needed in each case.
Surgical procedure
The most frequent donor areas are: abdomen, inside of the thighs and knees, trochanters (hips) and jowels.
All liposuction procedures are performed at the Quirón Teknon Hospital using the Human Med Body-Jet, which allows easier fat extraction by using high-pressure water that helps prevent bruising and ensures much more comfortable postoperative periods. The extracted fat is stored in a sterile environment with no need for manipulation and is then rinsed with serum and kept until infiltration time.
To prevent the fat from being reabsorbed and thereby achieve long lasting results, the fat tissue infiltration or graft is intramuscular and subcutaneous, using the minimum number of incisions. Micro-cannulae are used to deposit small implants which enable the receptor tissue to adapt to them so that they are well vascularized, with a lower percentage of re-absorption.
Hospitalization
The length of the procedure will determine whether or not patients need to be hospitalized, or if it can be done on an outpatient basis.
Postoperative care
Patients must wear a compression garment, as in the case of liposuction, have lymphatic drainage in the donor areas and apply moderate heat to the receptor areas, refrain from physical exercise during the first month, moisturize the skin and avoid exposure to the sun for one month.
Risks
For mammary augmentation, it should be mentioned that the injection of purified fat into the chest does not change the risk of breast cancer in the least, according to all data available at this time.
Benign calcifications may appear that a qualified radiologist can easily distinguish from suspect calcifications due to their shape and location.
Oily cysts may appear as well, which are benign, although they are occasionally palpable or may need to be pricked for evaluation.
In any case, and to avoid any unwelcome surprises, we recommend strict mammography controls for the first years after surgery with the aim of clearly documenting the appearance of these images and avoiding future confusion:
First mammography 9-12 months after the procedure. Monitoring every six months for two years after the first mammography.
