Posted January 09, 2023 in Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
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Fat transfer, also referred to as fat grafting, has created a new revolution with its ability to increase breast size by transferring fat cells to the breasts, increasing the cup size and improving the quality of the breast skin.
Fat transfer to the breast is safe and can sometimes avoid the need for breast implants.
Will Breast Implants Become a Thing of the Past?
As of now, breast implants are still unmatched in their ability to significantly increase breast size. However, with further advancements in cosmetic technology, that may change.
Women who just want a subtle increase in breast volume, not necessarily large breasts, are ideal candidates for fat grafting alone; however, there is a limit to how much size increase is possible.
One of the biggest challenges that Dr. Kronowitz faces with fat grafting is the inability to store the liposuctioned fat, meaning that when Dr. Kronowitz removes fat, he must inject all of the fat right away.
While the technology is not quite there yet, there is a lot of research being done to make the ability to store fat a reality in the future.
This is important because there is a limit on how much fat can be injected into the breast at one time and how much of the fat will stay in the long term. Every injected fat cell must be adjacent to a blood supply within the breast so the fat cell graft will take and receive a blood supply with oxygen and other important elements.
If fat can be stored for future uses, women will be able to achieve a better increase in breast volume since serial injections into the breasts will enhance fat graft take.
For patients with a large amount of body fat and smaller breasts, Dr. Kronowitz can create a large breast augmentation with fat graft alone; however, this usually takes several short-surgical procedures to achieve the desired result.
Replacing Breast Implants With Fat Transfer Augmentation
In Dr. Kronowitz’s Houston practice, patients with moderate-to-large amounts of body fat are ideal candidates for breast augmentation with fat only.
While breast augmentation with implants remains one of the most requested cosmetic procedures and ranks high in patient satisfaction, not everyone remains happy with their results long-term.
Some women change their minds about having breast implants for a variety of reasons that include:
- Rupture
- Capsular contracture
- Health-related concerns
- Want a more natural appearance
If you decide for any reason to have your breast implants removed and don’t intend to replace them, your surgeon will likely recommend that you have a breast lift to prevent your natural breasts from sagging.
This procedure is usually necessary to reshape the breast tissue, tighten the stretched-out skin, and ensure the nipple is well-placed. Dr. Kronowitz can add your own purified and unwanted fat to your breasts during your breast lift to subtly and naturally enhance your bust without implants.
How Does Fat Transfer Work?
Fat grafting uses liposuction to remove fat from a region of the body and inject into it another region of the body.
Fat grafting aims to transfer fat volume (and the stem cells they contain) to heal and rejuvenate the skin.
Dr. Kronowitz in Houston, Texas, commonly uses fat grafting to augment the breasts, buttocks, and face, restoring volume and assisting in repairing damage to the skin.
Fat grafting will not cause any additional scarring.
Using Fat Grafting to Improve the Appearance of Existing Breast Implants
Patients who want substantially large breasts and only have small to moderate amounts of body fat may need a combination of a smaller-sized breast implant along with breast fat grafting. This allows for a more natural breast augmentation because Dr. Kronowitz can place a layer of fat over the breast implants for a more natural texture and appearance.
When Is a Combination of Implant and Fat Graft Appropriate?
Some women with thin breast tissue and implants can face cosmetic concerns like rippling and an unnatural shape. If you experience rippling (the edges of the implants are noticeable under the skin), fat transfer can be used to help correct this complication.
Sometimes, even small implants can look awkward, especially when a woman has minimal natural breast tissue. A fat graft to the breast can improve the shape of the breasts for a more natural look by increasing the amount of natural tissue.
If you feel the size of your implants falls short of your goals, a fat graft can provide additional volume. You and your surgeon can decide if replacing your implants with a bigger size or adding fat is your best solution.
Dr. Kronowitz uses fat grafting in the breasts to place smaller-sized breast implants, which he believes will be the near-future trend. The fat graft also assists in the rejuvenation of the breast skin texture and appearance.
Are There Any Health Concerns Regarding Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation?
Although fat grafting to the breast for cosmetic purposes has been used in Europe by a few surgeons for more than 20 years, there have been concerns about whether the injection of fat and the stem cells that accompany it may lead to the recurrence of breast cancer or new breast cancer. There has been absolutely no clinical evidence that this has ever occurred. However, despite the absence of clinical case occurrences, some plastic surgeons, breast surgeons, and others have been skeptical.
To allay these fears, Dr. Kronowitz published a landmark paper in the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in February 2016, which was the largest matched-controlled study showing that fat injected into the breasts does not lead to recurrence in patients who have had breast cancer, not lead to breast cancer in women who have never had breast cancer, and even in women who are carriers of the BRCA gene mutations.
With this research, Dr. Kronowitz concluded that fat grafting for cosmetic breast augmentation and reconstruction is safe.
How Much Is Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation in Houston?
Liposuction is used to harvest fat cells from areas like the stomach and inner thighs. The fat is then cleaned and prepared for injection into the breasts using only needles. There are no scars on the breasts from fat transfer breast augmentation. The cost of fat transfer breast augmentation starts at $7,488 at Kronowitz Plastic Surgery located in Houston, Texas.
Liposuction recovery time is minimal, with few restrictions after surgery. Recovery from fat transfer to the breast is also minimal because only needles are used.
Fat Transfer to the Breast in Houston, TX, for Natural Breast Augmentation
Dr. Steven Kronowitz was voted the best plastic surgeon in Houston, Texas, and offers fat transfer breast augmentation, breast lifts, breast reconstruction, and breast revision.
If you want to remove or replace your breast implants, reach Kronowitz Plastic Surgery in Houston to learn more about fat transfer breast augmentation by calling (713) 523-0300.
Dr. Kronowitz sees patients from Houston as well as the surrounding areas, including Cypress, The Woodlands, Conroe, Houston Heights, Kingwood, River Oaks, West University Place, Bellaire, Memorial, Katy, Spring, Sugar Land, Missouri City, Friendswood, Pearland, Clear Lake, Webster, Pasadena, Baytown, Galveston, League City, Pasadena, Beaumont, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas.