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What is fat grafting (lipofilling) and how is it used in breast reconstruction?

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Topics (Tags):

Fat Grafting (Lipofiling) Breast Reconstruction Surgery Plastic Surgery

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Fat Grafting (Lipofiling) X Breast Reconstruction X Surgery X Plastic Surgery X

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Answers (1)

drchrysopoulo (Physician - Surgery - Plastic (Verified) ) - 08 / 09 / 2011

Fat grating involves taking fat from one part of the patient's body using liposuction, purifing the fat and then injecting into the breast. It is also known as "lipofilling".

Fat grafting is usually performed to fill in contour defects after lumpectomy. It is a particularly good option for small contour defects that involve less than 25% of the overall breast size. More than one fat grafting procedure may be required for best results as some of the fat typically gets reabsorbed. The likelihood of needing multiple fat grafting procedures increases as the size of the defect increases.

Fat grafting is also being used by some plastic surgeons to reconstruct the whole breast in conjunction with a breast device known as Brava. The device is worn in place of a bra for several hours a day. Brava essentially expands the breast by external suction. A series of fat injections is performed to fill in the breast as it expands, typically over a period of a few weeks/months (depending on the number of injections required).

Fat grafting is accepted as safe but more studies are needed. Like all surgical procedures, there are known risks. These include re-absorption, oil cysts, and firm areas.

From a breast cancer perspective, you must also know that fat grafting can cause calcifications on mammograms though these are generally easily differentiated from the microcalcifications associated with breast cancer. Also, while early studies are encouraging, there are no long-term studies that have looked at fat grafting and the risk of breast cancer recurrence.

I hope that helps.

Dr C
http://www.PRMA-enhance.com

Fat grating involves taking fat from one part of the patient's body using liposuction, purifing the fat and then injecting into the breast. It is also known as "lipofilling".

Fat grafting is usually performed to fill in contour defects after lumpectomy. It is a particularly good option for small contour defects that involve less than 25% of the overall breast size. More than one fat grafting procedure may be required for best results as some of the fat typically gets reabsorbed. The likelihood of needing multiple fat grafting procedures increases as the size of the defect increases.

Fat grafting is also being used by some plastic surgeons to reconstruct the whole breast in conjunction with a breast device known as Brava. The device is worn in place of a bra for several hours a day. Brava essentially expands the breast by external suction. A series of fat injections is performed to fill in the breast as it expands, typically over a period of a few weeks/months (depending on the number of injections required).

Fat grafting is accepted as safe but more studies are needed. Like all surgical procedures, there are known risks. These include re-absorption, oil cysts, and firm areas.

From a breast cancer perspective, you must also know that fat grafting can cause calcifications on mammograms though these are generally easily differentiated from the microcalcifications associated with breast cancer. Also, while early studies are encouraging, there are no long-term studies that have looked at fat grafting and the risk of breast cancer recurrence.

I hope that helps.

Dr C
http://www.PRMA-enhance.com

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1 Reply

I had this procedure done twice. The breast surgeon explained I have "thin skin" (and just for what that's worth, she happens to be right..... biologically and metaphorically). There were hollow pockets in the area above the breast reconstruction. So, in my case the fat injections were used to fill those hollow areas only. The first time it was done under in an operating room because the plastic surgeon was doing my nipple reconstruction at the same time. The fat settled in and then I had a second go round to fill in any remaining hollow areas. I was awake for that one. Anesthesized, but awake. I got to watch the whole thing.... fascinating (unless it was something I felt would make me faint). I saw the way the fat was lipoid from my belly and then prepared for the syringe and injected into the chest area. Many many many small injections..... The surgeon and his team were wonderful. Cracking jokes and making me very at ease during the entire process. And, most importantly, I love the end result. I didn't even realize how "concave" my chest area was until after it was corrected. Yay for the great docs who were able to fix something BEFORE it had a chance to upset me. Mastectomy is emotionally draining enough. All of these little tweaks are helpful (more emotionally) as long as I wasn't doing anything that could cause potential harm..... thanks to Dr. C for a very easy to understand explanation (and now I know why I needed a 2nd fill up, too!) AnneMarie

I had this procedure done twice.  The breast surgeon explained I have "thin skin" (and just for what that's worth, she happens to be right..... biologically and metaphorically).  There were hollow pockets in the area above the breast reconstruction.  So, in my case the fat injections were used to fill those hollow areas only.  The first time it was done under in an operating room because the plastic surgeon was doing my nipple reconstruction at the same time.  The fat settled in and then I had a second go round to fill in any remaining hollow areas.  I was awake for that one.  Anesthesized, but awake.  I got to watch the whole thing.... fascinating (unless it was something I felt would make me faint).  I saw the way the fat was lipoid from my belly and then prepared for the syringe and injected into the chest area.  Many many many small injections.....  The surgeon and his team were wonderful.  Cracking jokes and making me very at ease during the entire process.  And, most importantly, I love the end result.  I didn't even realize how "concave" my chest area was until after it was corrected.  Yay for the great docs who were able to fix something BEFORE it had a chance to upset me.  Mastectomy is emotionally draining enough.  All of these little tweaks are helpful (more emotionally) as long as I wasn't doing anything that could cause potential harm.....  thanks to Dr. C for a very easy to understand explanation (and now I know why I needed a 2nd fill up, too!)  AnneMarie

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member4039
- 09/15/2011

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