Fat grafting is an optional surgery that uses fat from another area of your body to improve the shape of your reconstructed breast.Fat grafting can be done after either implant or natural tissue reconstruction. This procedure helps to enlarge or smooth out the new breast using your own fat tissue.
How is it done?
The surgeon removes fat tissue from another part of your body and then injects the fat into your reconstructed breast.Read more:
The surgeon uses liposuction to remove fat from your thighs, lower back, or stomach
Fat tissue is processed to collect the living cells
These cells are then injected by small punctures into your reconstructed breast, bit by bit, with a needle and syringe
By the numbers
Number of surgeries1 (possibly more)
The fat grafting procedure takes 1 surgery. The procedure is usually done under general anesthesia and takes under 1 hour.However, if some of the fat that was moved to your breast fades away (or does not survive the transfer), you may need to repeat the procedure.
Nights in the hospital0
Fat grafting is outpatient (no hospital stay).
Length of recovery2 to 4 weeks
Your activities are restricted for 2-4 weeks after fat grafting. You will also need to wear compression clothing (like Spandex shorts) over the liposuctioned area (where the fat was removed) to improve swelling.
What are the pros?
Can improve the size, shape, and proportion of your reconstructedbreasts
Uses your own tissue
Fills in hollow areas that implants and flaps may not reach
Minor procedure with little scarring
What are the cons?
Not all the fat survives
Some of the fat used may fade away (or be taken in by your body) within the first few months following surgery.If too much fat is lost from your breast, you may need another round (or two) of fat grafting.
What are the risks?
Fat grafting lumps
In 3% of patients (3 out of 100), this procedure leaves a lump of scar tissue which may raise later concerns with patients and their doctors, since it may appear much like a breast cancer recurrence.Due to these concerns, the lump may need to biopsied or removed. These types of lumps are NOT cancerous.