How Long is the Process of Fat Grafting to Breasts?

There are 3 parts to fat transfer, and the length of time can vary a lot depending on the techniques used.

Part 1)  liposuction of the donor sites.  If small cannulas or syringe liposuction is used - it takes longer.

Part 2) processing the fat.  Centrifuging the fat in small volumes takes longer.

Part 3) injecting the processed fat into the new area.  Using micro-injection techniques takes longer.

Surgeons debate which technique is better.  Some experts, like Dr. Coleman of NYC, feel that the longer way at each step gives the best results.

Most surgeons report that fat grafting to the breast takes between 3-6 hours, depending on the exact methods used.  Dr. DelVecchio of Boston, and Dr. Khouri of Tampa have been making important contributions in trying to reduce the procedure time, but still get good results.

fat grafting is still not widely accepted by plastic surgeons but is becoming more popular:


it has been used worldwide a number of yearsa

if done correctly at least 60% of the fat should remain as living fat

it has been used widely for gluteal augmentation

it shouldn't take more than 2-3 hours but it depends on how much liposuction is being done and the cannula technique preferred

there is no complete agreement on best technique

Fat grafting is a growing movement for breast augmentation and reconstruction.  The "typical" breast augmentation case takes around 2 1/2 hours, which includes the liposuction to harvest the fat, the processing of the fat, and the time to inject it.

Time variation? There are many reasons for this.  Is the fat hard to harvest? A skinny woman with little fat may take longer to harvest because you have to work harder to find the fat and harvest enough.  As with everything, when you are newer at doing the procedure (which most doctors are as this technique still is not mainstream) it may take a little longer.  I spent time with Dr. Khouri in Miami (who along with DelVeccio are among the most experienced) who has a team of people who assist him and do it day in and day out- so his times are likely faster.  Also, for some of my patients, they don't mind if I harvest a little extra fat, to maximize the changes from the liposuction portion of the procedure.

Cost? This will vary by surgeon, time, where you live. 

Thank you for your question.  As you can see, there is a dramatic difference in opinions among plastic surgeons on this issue.  You will note that Surgeons who routinely perform this procedure, have great outcomes like Dr. Del Vecchio, and have the background to discuss the science, will tell you that this is the single most important development in breast surgery in the past 10 years.

Fat transfer works well, it has good results, and with comparatively less issues than other breast surgery options, in the right group of patients.  You should consider a consultation with a Surgeon who is experienced with this technique, has performed more than a few cases, and has adequate follow up to discuss outcomes with you.

In terms of the time required for this procedure, Surgeons who are more experienced with the technique will take less time than others who are not.  We usually can perform a fat transfer to the breast in between one and two hours. I would encourage you to look into this option in your area.

Fat Grafting to the breast can be routinely performed by a single surgeon in under two hours.  This is a fact.  See the link below for our  paper published in June, 2011 Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.  The average volume of breast increase long term was 250cc, or a doubling of breast size.  Patients who have results at 4-6 months have kept their results 4-5 years now.  Fat grafting to the breast can result in mammographic abnormalities , however, these are readily distinguishable from cancer.  The statement "most of the fat goes away"  is simply not true.  I would encourage any of our colleagues who inform patients that fat grafting does not work or is not safe to read the exciting work that is comng out in our specialty's journals.    Although I perform many breast augmentations, I believe implants have their own set of problems.  Where this will settle out is that there will be a subset of women who will prefer natural fat for minor augmentation, and there will always be a need for implant augmentations.  The two are not interchangable, have different aesthetic results, and will appeal to different patient groups.

 

Dr Daniel Del Vecchio, Boston

bostonbreastcenter.com