Dallas
Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation

Surgery

 

 

REQUEST A CONSULTATION

 
5 stars

 

 

Dallas Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation Specialist

A breast augmentation with fat transfer (aka natural breast augmentation, fat transfer breast augmentation, fat-graft mammoplasty) is ideal for women who would like to enhance their breasts without the use of synthetic implants. During a fat-graft mammoplasty, plastic surgeons can reshape the patient’s breasts and increase their size using fat they harvest from the patient’s body. This fat is frequently referred to as autologous fat. With an autologous fat transfer (AFT) to enhance the breasts, a surgeon can modestly increase a patient’s breast size. However, for optimal results, the cosmetic surgeon must have an artistic vision, be highly skilled and have experience performing the AFT procedure. At Law Plastic Surgery in Dallas, Dr. Huay-Zong Law performs breast enhancement procedures, including natural breast augmentations. Dr. Law is a top plastic surgeon in the Dallas area who is highly experienced in performing fat-graft mammoplasty procedures; he also has the skill and artistic vision necessary to provide women with the slightly larger, beautifully shaped breasts they desire.

Why Do Women in the Dallas Area Choose to Have a Breast Augmentation With Fat Transfer Instead of With Implants?

A breast implant consists of a silicone shell that contains either saline (i.e., salt water) or a silicone gel. These synthetic implants work well for women who would like substantially larger breasts. However, breast implant placement is more risky than the fat transfer process is. Therefore, women who only want to enhance the shape of and make a slight increase in the size of their breasts are usually better candidates for an AFT than they are for an implant procedure.

Some reasons a woman in Dallas may choose the transfer of autologous fat into her breasts over implant placement include:

  • The ability to use her own fat tissue instead of a synthetic material to increase the size and enhance the shape of her breasts.
  • The plastic surgeon harvests fat from troublesome areas on the body that are resistant to diet and exercise (e.g., the flanks).
  • To have results that look and feel more natural.
  • The areas where Dr. Huay-Zong Law harvests fat for transfer are slimmer after a natural breast augmentation in Dallas.
  • To have fewer scars on her breasts that are much smaller than those resulting from breast implant surgery.
  • The patient avoids the potential complications associated with an augmentation using breast implants (e.g., capsular contracture, a rupture, rippling).
  • Once Dr. Law transfers the purified fat cells, and they have a blood supply, the results are permanent. Breast implants typically last from 15 to 20 years.
  • To avoid the possibility of having an allergic reaction to the breast implants.
  • Although breast implant allergies are rare, since the material Dr. Huay-Zong Law transfers into the patient’s breasts during a fat-graft mammoplasty consists of her own fat cells, an allergic reaction is of no concern.

A Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation in Dallas Offers Patients a Two-for-One Procedure

During a fat-graft mammoplasty, Dr. Law uses liposuction to remove stubborn fat from troublesome areas. As he removes this fat, Dr. Huay-Zong Law also contours the harvesting area. Once the fat harvesting process is complete, he purifies the fat before strategically injecting it into the patient’s breasts.

Since the patient receives liposuction and a breast enlargement, a fat transfer breast augmentation is essentially a two-for-one procedure.

The Pros and Cons of a Fat-graft Mammoplasty in Dallas

When comparing the transfer of autologous fat to other breast enhancement procedures, the transfer of fat to enhance a patient’s breasts is a relatively simple and highly effective process. Nevertheless, as with all procedures, there are pros and cons to consider.

The pros of a fat transfer breast augmentation in Dallas include:

  • The patient’s body shape improves due to the fat harvesting process.
  • There is no need for the patient to place foreign materials into her body.
  • The surgeon has more flexibility when contouring the shape of the patient’s breasts.
  • There is little to no scarring on the patient’s breasts.
  • The patient’s recovery is quick and easy, with very little discomfort.
  • Patients do not need to have any maintenance procedures.
  • The results provide a natural feel and appearance.

The cons of a fat-graft mammoplasty include:

  • There are limitations regarding the amount of fat a surgeon can transfer, which is why women who want to increase their breast size more than a cup are not good candidates for a fat-graft mammoplasty.
  • Some of the fat cells the surgeon transfers may be unable to access a blood supply. Without a blood supply, the cell dies, and the body absorbs it. However, to counteract this, Dr. Law usually injects slightly more fat cells than are required to create the results the patient desires.
  • Typically, patients who want to increase the size of their breasts by more than 100 mL must have multiple breast augmentations with fat transfer to reach their goals.
  • A fat transfer breast augmentation requires that the surgeon perform liposuction, purify the fat cells and then transfer the cells into the breasts. Therefore, the fat-graft mammoplasty procedure is frequently more expensive than traditional breast implant surgery is.
  • Just like breast implant surgery, fat transfer into the breast has very little effect on breast cancer surveillance. However, following the transfer of autologous fat, the development of cysts, calcifications or masses is possible. If these breast changes occur, the patient may need to have additional imaging tests or breast biopsies.

An Inexperienced Plastic Surgeon Can Cause Fat Necrosis and the Formation of Cysts

It is vital that the plastic surgeon injects the fat into the breasts strategically and in thin layers. If the surgeon injects too much fat into one area, oil cysts may form or fat necrosis may result. Fat necrosis occurs when fat cells are unable to obtain blood from the surrounding tissue. When this happens, a patient develops hard, painful lumps of dead fat.

The Limitations of a Breast Augmentation With Fat Transfer in Dallas

A fat-graft mammoplasty is not a weight-loss procedure; therefore, patients should not expect to notice a decrease in their weight after their fat-graft mammoplasty in Dallas.

A patient who has breasts that sag can have a fat-graft mammoplasty, however, unless she also has a breast lift, her breasts will still sag after her breast augmentation with fat transfer in Dallas.

How Much Larger Can Dr. Huay-Zong Law Make the Breasts During a Fat-graft Mammoplasty in Dallas?

Typically, Dr. Law can increase the size of a woman’s breasts by one cup. Many women choose to have a breast augmentation with fat transfer because it provides subtle results that look and feel completely natural.

A 2020 Survey Finds That Fat-graft Mammoplasty Procedures Have High Satisfaction Rates

According to a 2020 Patient Satisfaction Survey Using the BREAST-Q, individuals participating in this study had an AFT to increase the size of their breasts. This survey finds that the participants are highly satisfied with their results and recognize the improvement that these breast changes have made in the quality of their lives.

Who Does Dr. Huay-Zong Law Consider to Be a Good Candidate for a Breast Augmentation Fat Transfer?

A good candidate for a fat-graft mammoplasty is someone who would like to modestly increase the size of her breasts and has an adequate amount of fat that he can harvest for transfer. In addition, she must understand the limitations associated with a fat transfer breast augmentation and have realistic expectations related to what Dr. Law can achieve for her with a fat-graft mammoplasty in Dallas.

Some Patients Receive Tissue Expanders

To increase the amount of fat that a patient’s breasts can hold, she may receive tissue expanders. Dr. Huay-Zong Law typically places these expanders beneath the muscles of the chest wall several weeks before the patient’s AFT breast enhancement procedure.

Areas Dr. Law May Use to Harvest the Fat for Transfer

Donor areas usually include the upper thighs, back, abdomen, flanks and the buttocks. Prior to surgery, the patient and Dr. Huay-Zong Law discuss which areas of the body she would like him to use for harvesting.

A Breast Augmentation in Dallas via Fat Transfer: The Procedure

A fat-graft mammoplasty can take up to 5 hours.

Patients having a natural breast augmentation in Dallas receive general anesthesia. Once the patient falls asleep, Dr. Law begins her AFT procedure.

Harvesting the Patient’s Fat Using Liposuction

After sanitizing the area from which he is harvesting fat, Dr. Huay-Zong Law creates a short incision. He carefully places a small cannula, which is a thin hollow tube, through the incision. He gently moves the cannula back and forth to break up the fat. Since the only fat cells that Dr. Law can use for transfer are those that are viable, the most important aspect of the harvesting process is ensuring the survival of the fat cells he collects. Therefore, instead of using the liposuction vacuum, Dr. Huay-Zong Law frequently uses syringes, so he can slowly extract the fat cells.

Closing the Liposuction Incisions

Once the fat harvesting process is complete, Dr. Law closes the incisions using skin adhesive, surgical tape or small sutures.

Purifying the Fat Cells

This purification process is a critical step because it helps prevent the patient from developing an infection following transfer.

After collecting the fat cells, Dr. Huay-Zong Law needs to purify the cells. He carefully transfers the cells into vials and places them in a centrifuge. A centrifuge is a machine that spins the vials of fat cells at 3400 rpm, which causes the different contents in the vial to separate. These contents include everything the surgeon collects while harvesting the patient’s fat: impurities, blood, fluid and the fat cells.

Dr. Law Collects the Strongest Fat Cells

During the centrifugation process, the strong fat cells separate from the weaker ones, which makes it easy for Dr. Huay-Zong Law to extract them from the vial. Dr. Law uses small syringes to collect the strongest fat cells. These are the cells he uses to enhance the patient’s breasts.

Creating Tiny Incisions in the Breast

Dr. Huay-Zong Law creates tiny incisions in the areas of the breast where he is injecting the fat cells.

Injecting the Purified Fat

Using his artistic talent, experience and skill, Dr. Law strategically injects the patient’s purified fat into her breasts. He distributes the fat cells throughout her breasts in layers. Correctly distributing the fat cells is key because it decreases the likelihood of fat cell death.

Closing the Incisions

Dr. Huay-Zong Law may use skin adhesive, surgical tape or very small stitches to close the incisions on the breast.

Recovering From a Breast Augmentation With Fat Transfer

Directly following a fat-graft mammoplasty, patients will feel some discomfort. It is normal for the patient to have bruising at her injection sites. Swollen, full breasts are also typical following an AFT to enhance the breasts.

Scarring

The incision sites may develop scars, however, as time passes, these scars lighten. Most patients’ scars lighten substantially during the first year following surgery. Nonetheless, how long a patient’s scar remains visible depends on genetics, the incision’s exposure to UV rays and whether the incision becomes infected.

Preventing Hyperpigmentation of Scars

It is vital that patients protect their incisions from UV rays as they heal. Patients who neglect to do so could experience hyperpigmentation. If a scar becomes hyperpigmented, it darkens, thus making it more noticeable. This darkening is permanent. To prevent this complication, patients need to wear sun protection with an SPF of at least 30.

Patients Must Rest Following Surgery

Following their breast enhancement procedure using autologous fat, patients can promote their body’s natural healing process by resting.

There Are Very Few Restrictions After an AFT to Enhance the Breasts

Patients have very few restrictions following a breast augmentation with autologous fat. Most of Dr. Law’s AFT patients return to work within a few days of their surgery.

Patients Need an Overnight Caregiver

After their AFT procedure, patients should have a caregiver for at least one night.

Avoid Certain Products During Recovery

Patients must not take aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), vitamins or herbal supplements as they recover because some of these products increase bleeding.

Patients must refrain from smoking and avoid exposure to second-hand smoke for at least 2 weeks after their breast augmentation with fat transfer. The nicotine in traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars and pipes cause the blood vessels to contract, which slows circulation and inhibits the ability of the body to heal itself.

Some Patients Experience a Slight Burning Sensation

Some AFT patients feel a slight burning sensation in the harvesting areas. This sensation typically resolves several days after surgery.

Reduce Post-surgical Inflammation With Cryotherapy

Fat-graft mammoplasty patients should expect to have some inflammation and discomfort in their breasts. However, they can use cryotherapy treatments to reduce this swelling and decrease pain.

A cryotherapy treatment involves gently placing ice packs over or under the areas that are swollen for 15 to 20 minutes. Patients can use this technique three times a day. To prevent injury to the skin, these ice packs should be wrapped in a cloth.

The Importance of Choosing An Experienced Plastic Surgeon to Perform a Fat-graft Mammoplasty

A patient’s results depend on the skill, technique and knowledge of the surgeon who performs her breast enhancement procedure. For this reason, to attain optimal results, the patient must choose an experienced surgeon to perform her fat-graft mammoplasty.

Breast Augmentation With Fat Transfer Results Are Permanent

The results Dr. Huay-Zong Law achieves with a fat-graft mammoplasty procedure are permanent; however, it is important to note that substantial changes in a patient’s weight can affect her results.

Final Results

The patient’s breasts are the largest directly following surgery. As time passes, the fat cells that do not have a blood supply die and the body absorbs them, thus, decreasing the size of the breasts. Final results become evident about 3 months after a fat-graft mammoplasty in Dallas. At this time, the patient will see the final shape and size of her newly augmented breasts.

Patients Can Opt to Have Multiple Procedures During the Same Surgical Session

Some of Dr. Law’s patients decide to have several procedures during their breast augmentation with fat transfer in Dallas. Therefore, if a patient is considering another plastic surgery procedure or cosmetic treatment, she should mention this desire to Dr. Huay-Zong Law.

A Combination Breast Augmentation Using Implants and Fat Transfer

Some women want Dr. Law to perform the traditional breast implant procedure and then use autologous fat to contour their breasts. For example, following treatment for breast cancer, Dr. Huay-Zong Law can perform a fat-graft mammoplasty to enhance the results he achieves with implants.

A Consultation With Dr. Law in Dallas for a Breast Augmentation Fat Transfer

Dr. Huay-Zong Law wants to know about the patient’s medical history. Information the patient provides should include previous surgical procedures and treatments. He also needs to know the patient’s current medication, vitamin and herbal supplement use. In addition, if breast cancer runs in the patient’s family, she needs to let Dr. Law know.

Dr. Huay-Zong Law also asks whether a patient has allergies to medication or latex, participates in recreational drug use, drinks alcoholic beverages regularly or uses any products that contain nicotine. To ensure the patient remains safe during surgery, she must be candid with Dr. Law. Patients should know that all the information they provide is part of their medical record; therefore, it is confidential.

What Breast Changes Would the Patient Like to Accomplish With an Autologous Fat Transfer?

Dr. Huay-Zong Law wants to know what the patient would like to accomplish with a fat-graft mammoplasty. It is vital that the patient explains her desires to Dr. Law in detail because the only way he can meet the patient’s expectations is by understanding what she would like to accomplish.

The Physical Evaluation

Dr. Huay-Zong Law evaluates the patient’s physical health and determines the quality of the skin on her breasts as well as in the possible harvesting areas. Dr. Law uses these factors to determine her candidacy for a fat-graft mammoplasty. If he considers the patient a good candidate, Dr. Huay-Zong Law discusses the anesthetic requirements and potential complications with the patient.

If the patient decides to enhance her breasts with an AFT, Dr. Law may take photographs of the potential harvesting areas, as well as the patient’s breasts. He uses these photos as he creates the patient’s custom-designed breast augmentation with fat transfer surgical plan.

Preparing for a Fat-graft Mammoplasty in Dallas

Discontinue the use of products that contain nicotine for at least 2 weeks before surgery.

For at least 10 days before surgery, patients need to stop using medications, vitamins and herbal supplements that could lead to excess bleeding (e.g., NSAIDs, vitamin E, Kava Kava). It is okay for patients to use Tylenol during this 10-day period.

Patients Need a Driver

Since patients receive general anesthesia, they are unable to drive for at least 24 hours after their AFT. Therefore, on the day of surgery, patients need to have a chauffeur with them when they arrive at the hospital. Patients arriving without a chauffeur have to reschedule their fat-graft mammoplasty.

For-hire Transportation Following the Use of Anesthesia

To prevent his patients from becoming the victim of someone who has nefarious intentions, Dr. Huay-Zong Law does not permit the use of for-hire transportation following procedures requiring anesthesia or sedation. Furthermore, if a patient needs assistance walking or entering her home, these drivers may not be able to help. When patients choose someone they trust to assist them after surgery, if they need help, they receive it.

What Are the Risk Factors of Having a Breast Augmentation With Fat Transfer?

There are some risk factors and potential complications that patients must consider before they have a fat-graft mammoplasty. The main risk factor associated with any procedure that involves the transfer of fat is fat necrosis. Fat necrosis can result in the development of lumps and bubbles in the fat tissue.

Fat necrosis can cause numerous unpleasant symptoms, including:

  • Oily cysts
  • Painful lumps
  • Hard, calcified lumps
  • Bruising and redness around the lumps
  • Pain in the tissue surrounding the cysts and lumps
  • The development of scar tissue
  • An uneven skin surface due to the lumps
  • Changes in the shape and appearance of the breast

Sometimes, the lumps that develop due to fat necrosis resolve themselves. However, if the patient desires, she can have a lump removal procedure.

Other risks and potential complications of an AFT to the breasts include:

  • Skin discoloration
  • Infection
  • Fat reabsorption
  • Undesirable results
  • Visible scarring
  • A reaction to surgical medications or products
  • Deep Vein Thrombosis
  • A hematoma
  • Bleeding
  • Inflammation
  • Bruising
  • Additional surgery
  • Numbness in the harvesting areas and injection sites
  • Intense pain

There is a possibility for the skin to sag in the areas the surgeon uses for harvesting; however, this complication usually affects individuals who are above the age of 40.

When to Call Law Plastic Surgery

Patients who notice the signs of infection (e.g., a fever, chills) need to contact Dr. Law’s office right away at (972) 331-1900.

How Much Do Breast Augmentations With Fat Transfer in Dallas Cost?

Since every patient receives a customized treatment plan, Dr. Huay-Zong Law needs to perform an evaluation before he can quote a price for an AFT to enhance the breasts.

Will Health Insurance Cover a Fat-graft Mammoplasty?

Possibly, the reason for the fat-graft mammoplasty and the patient’s specific plan determines whether the insurance covers this procedure.

A breast augmentation with fat transfer is a popular option for women who want a subtle increase in breast size and a shapelier breast. If you are considering an AFT breast enhancement procedure, and you are in the Dallas area, contact Law Plastic Surgery to schedule a consultation with top plastic surgeon Dr. Huay-Zong Law. Dr. Law and his entire staff are dedicated to providing each patient with the highest quality of care available. To make an appointment, please call (972) 331-1900. Law Plastic Surgery’s Dallas address is 7777 Forest Lane, C-528.

 

 

 

Contact Us