WHAT IS FAT TRANSFER?
Fat transfer involves taking fat from another part of the body to augment the size on the breasts. The results are natural as the breasts are mainly fats anyway. While some of the transplanted fat cells will die off, the remainder will last forever. The trick with fat transfer to the breasts is to ensure the highest survival rates of the transplanted fat cells. Having an established liposuction setup helps a lot in ensuring good fat cell survival rates.
Fat transfer is a method of breast enhancement. When fat is transplanted to the face for lifting, volume replacement and skin changes, it is often called fat grafting. Although the terms can be used interchangeably. The skin changes that are attributed to the “stem cells” in fat grafting are also called nanofats.
FAT TRANSFER
- For breast augmentation, the fats are transplanted in the area behind the glandular tissue in the breasts, not into the breast tissue. Hence the transplanted fat does not interfere with any future mammograms as it is in a different plane.
- Fats can also be transplanted to the buttocks to enhance the shape of a somewhat flat looking buttock. Because large volumes are needed for this area, and also because of the blood supply being only able to sustain just so much transplanted fat each time, the fat graft survival rate is usually lower than other parts of the body.
- Some of the fat cells will invariably not survive being pulled out from somewhere else, washed and re-injected back into the breasts. Also the blood supply in the breasts can only support just so much fat cells. From our experience, transplanting 100mls to 150mls ensures the highest rates of survival of the transplanted fat cells. Applying several minutes of Vaser at low intensity before extraction of the fat cells also ensures higher survival rates of the transplanted fat cells. Vaser at low intensity does not destroy the fat cells but loosens them from the fibrous capsule that binds them together. The smaller clumps when transplanted survives much better.
- Typically when we transplant 100-150mls (on each side), about 80-100mls (on each side) will remain for the long term. This will give a one cup size increase for petite girls. Those desiring further increase in cup size can do repeated fat transfer. Transferring more fats in a single session will not give more results. Still only about 100mls will remain for the long term.
- Transplanting too much (in excess of 200mls) lead to a higher incidence of oil cysts forming. While harmless, they can lead to unwanted alarm at future breast examinations.
Wish to find out if you can benefit from Liposuction?
Contact us to set an appointment with Dr David Loh
DR DAVID LOH
Dr David Loh
Founder
Dr. David Loh founded David Loh Surgery in 2002, during the early days of Aesthetic Medicine. He obtained his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the National University of Singapore and has over 30 years of clinical experience, with more than 20 years dedicated to aesthetics.
Dr Loh is Accredited by MOH to perform liposuction. He is best known as a regional trainer for BTX and Dermal Fillers. He has published extensively on injection techniques and the management of serious complications, with one of his papers awarded a Gold Medal by the PRS Global Journal. His contributions to the field include serving as the immediate past President of the Society of Aesthetic Medicine in Singapore.