About the surgery

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and takes approximately 1-1.5 hours to complete (largely dictated by how much time is required to harvest the fat using liposuction). The surgery begins by harvesting fat and this can be done from a variety of locations, but most commonly involves the flanks and abdomen. Other common sites include the back and outer thighs. Fat grafting is only a viable option if patients with adequate deposits of fat. Patients with minimal to no excess fat may be better candidates for implant based breast augmentation if they are wanting a substantial increase in volume. Fat grafting may be an option for patients who desire a mild to moderate increase in breast volume (0-1 cup size increase). For patients who desire substantial increases in volume (1 or more cup size), a breast implant will likely be a better alternative to obtain that amount of volume increase in a single surgery.

Recovery and Results

You will need to have someone drive you home on the day of surgery and stay with you for the first 24 hours after surgery. For patients who live more than 1-2 hours away, we may ask you to make accommodations to stay in town overnight the day of surgery. All patients are seen the day after surgery to ensure you are healing appropriately and that you are comfortable.

• Initial Downtime: Plan for around 2-5 days of rest. You will experience soreness, swelling, and likely some bruising over the liposuction sites and breasts. Patients may require narcotic pain medications for a couple days after this surgery and most of the discomfort is due to the liposuction.

• Activity restrictions and recovery period: Normal activities of daily living can be performed as soon as the day after surgery. We do not want you driving or operating machinery if you are taking narcotic pain medications. We ask that you not participate in strenuous activities of any kind for at least two weeks. After two weeks, we do allow you to start some light cardiovascular exercise if you wish (i.e. walking on treadmill), but we do not want you participating in strenuous activities or heavy lifting until 6 weeks after surgery After 6 weeks, you are released from restrictions. It’s important to wear compression garments over the areas of liposuction during the recovery period as well to optimize contour and reduce swelling.

• Summary: Fat grafting is a viable solution for women who are wanting a subtle increase in breast volume or hope to improve contour in specific areas of the breasts.

Results

The breasts will swell after surgery and appear notably larger than before but once the swelling subsides the breast volume will decrease some. It’s important to remember that this initial decrease in volume is due to resolution of swelling, and is not related to absorption of the fat that was transferred. It takes weeks to months for fat to be absorbed. Up to 80% of the fat that is transferred will be retained long term. For patients who are wanting substantial increases in breast volume, it is worth discussing if a breast implant would best help you attain that goal.