Breast Augmentation with Your Own Fat in Sydney by Dr Kernohan Plastic Surgeon
- Do you want larger breasts but don’t want implants?
- Looking for an alternative approach to a breast augmentation?
- Wish to increase the size of your breasts with your own fat?
Then fat transfer to the breasts may be the right solution for you. The latest advancements in medicine have changed breast enhancement options. You can achieve larger breasts with the fat relocated from your own body. The procedure is also known as Autologous Fat Grafting to Breasts or Breast Enlargement with Your Own Fat.
Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Michael Kernohan offers fat transfer breast augmentation in Sydney. Schedule a consultation to see whether fat grafting in Sydney is right for you.
CLICK to Download Dr Michael Kernohan Cosmetic Breast Surgery Guide
What is Autologous Fat Transfer?
Autologous fat transfer surgery uses your own body fat to increase breast volume and fullness. A silicone breast implant could be used for breast augmentation. However, they are not always a suitable solution for all patients.
During the fat transfer, Dr Kernohan will take excess fat from other areas of your body and strategically inject it into your breasts. The procedure uses liposuction techniques in conjunction with fat injections and fat grafting filtering technologies to achieve the desired aesthetic result.
The increase in breast size will be less than that of breast implants – typically a maximum of half to one cup size per treatment.
Am I a Good Candidate for Breast Fat Transfer?
Fat grafting may be a good option for many women, but it does have certain limitations as well. Here are a few things to consider:
- It may help women dealing with breast asymmetry
- If you wish to increase your breast size by one cup or less, breast augmentation with your own fat is a good option to enlarged breasts. On the other hand, if you desire a more significant augmentation (more than one cup size) then implants might be right for you
- You need to be in a physically and mentally healthy condition to get the procedure
- Breast fat grafting involves extracting fat from your own body. If you are underweight or have poor quality fat, this might not be the right procedure for you
Benefits of Fat Transfer to the Breast
The benefits of autologous fat transfer include:
- The procedure can alter your breast shape and increase volume without needing implants
- As the incisions are small the scarring is less when compared to those made during breast augmentation (using implants).
- The fat removal procedure can help contour your body while increasing the volume of your breasts
- If your breasts are asymmetrical different amounts of fat can be transferred to each breast to increase symmetry.
Breast Fat Transfer Photo Gallery
Taking a look at previous fat transfer breast enhancement procedures can help you choose a specific surgeon. You can see Dr Kernohan’s past fat transfer patients during your consultation.
What can I Expect during Fat Transfer to Breasts?
The general steps of the procedure are as follows:
Step 1 – Fat Harvesting with Liposuction
The first step in the breast fat transfer is harvesting unwanted fat from certain areas of your body (abdomen, thighs, buttocks, and back are the common areas). The excess fat is suctioned through the cannula at a fixed pressure rate to reduce the risk of damage to the fat cells. The fat will then be stored in special containers.
Step 2- Fat Preparation and Purification
The next step is to purify the fat that has been suctioned. The fat removed is filled with blood vessels and tissue fluids. All these must be removed prior to injecting the fat into the breasts. Fat purification is commonly done by centrifuge or filter.
Step 3 – Fat Injection
Once the fat is purified, it can then be re-injected into the breasts. Specifically shaped fat injection cannulas are inserted with the help of separate incisions that involves a multi-planar approach.
This is done to ensure that fat cells spread evenly throughout the area without the formation of lumps (that can lead to fat necrosis and undesired results). As the fat is extracted from your own body, breast tissue becomes an optimal graft for survival. The fat will be injected in tiny amounts and will be evenly distributed throughout the breasts.
Recovery after Fat Grafting Breast Enlargement
Recovery post fat grafting breast enlargement surgery depends on a variety of different factors: location of fat grafting, number of donor sites, and your body’s individual healing ability. Recovery time will be different for different individuals. Most people will be able to return back to work within a week’s time frame. Full recovery can take anywhere from four to six weeks.
Here is an estimated recovery timeline:
On the Day of the Surgery
Fat transfer breast surgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis. This means that you can go home on the same day, following the procedure. It is important to arrange for someone to drive you home on the day of the surgery as you will be still under the effects of anaesthesia.
A Few Days after the Surgery
You will have some bruising, pain, swelling, and mild discomfort for the first few days after the surgery. Your surgeon will also advise you to wear a compression garment for at least the first few days post-surgery. Keep on wearing the compression garment until the surgeon advises otherwise. It will help you recover at a fast pace. In some cases, Dr Kernohan will also prescribe certain medications to help with the pain and make recovery more comfortable.
First Week and Onwards
It is very normal to feel a bit of discomfort for the first few days, following the surgery. It can be managed with the help of prescription or over the counter pain medications. The discomfort typically lasts for the first 5 days only. Most of the patients will feel much better after the initial week. The swelling can last up to 4 weeks post-surgery.
Expect to feel discomfort at the injection site and a tightening sensation around your breasts. The discomfort will slowly diminish over a few weeks. Stay clear of strenuous activities and exercises until you are cleared by Dr Kernohan. Most patients will be able to get back to work within a week’s time frame. If your job is physically intensive, it will be advised to go back to work within 2 to 3 weeks.
You will see final results within the six month’s mark. Dr Kernohan will follow up with you regularly.
Risks and Complications
Following are the potential risks and complications associated with the fat transfer to breasts: painful lumps, redness in the area, bruising, pain in the surrounding tissue, skin discolouration, uneven breasts, and changes to breast shape and appearance. If you choose the right surgeon and stick to all the pre and post-care instructions, these risks and complications can be greatly reduced.
Check plastic surgery risks page for more details.
Fat Grafting Costs Sydney – How Much is Breast Fat Transfer in Sydney?
The cost of fat transfer to breasts in Sydney depends on a variety of different factors:
- Your Surgeon’s reputation, level of experience, and qualification
- What is included in the surgical quote or price estimate
- Where the surgery performed
- Whether the surgery is a medically-indicated or cosmetic procedure
- The complexity of the case
The Fat Transfer cost can start around $5000 and increase based on the factors mentioned above. Dr Kernohan needs to evaluate your breasts during the initial consultation prior to giving you an accurate quote for the procedure.
The Fat Transfer to breast enlargement procedure involves multiple steps such as liposuction and fat grafting. The total cost given to you will be inclusive of the fees of the surgeon, anaesthetist, equipment, surgical staff, and clinic support & aftercare.
Find out more details about plastic surgery fees on Dr Kernohan’s pricing page.
Alternatively, you can contact Dr Kernohan’s team for a price estimate or to set up a consult.
Video: breast lift and augmentation
Funding your Fat Transfer to Breasts Procedure
Health insurance providers generally do not cover the costs of Autologous Fat Transfer for cosmetic purposes. They may provide coverage if the breast procedure is performed for reconstructive and medically-initiated purposes. Medicare is now funding fat transfer for some patients with congenital deformities. You can also read more about payment options on our page.
How to find the Right Fat Transfer Surgeon in Sydney
To get optimal results after the fat transfer to the breasts surgery, you need to find an experienced, specialist plastic surgeon to perform the procedure. To find the right breast surgeon in Sydney you should look at their before and after pictures of breast surgery. This can help you decide whether a surgeon is right for you or not.
Fat Transfer to the Breasts FAQs
Here is a list of frequently asked questions we get regarding fat transfer to breasts:
