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Lipofilling (Fat Grafting)
Lipofilling (Fat Grafting)
Everything You Need To Know ILipofilling (Fat Grafting)
What is lipofilling?
Lipofilling, also referred to as autologous fat grafting is a minimally invasive breast reconstruction procedure that involves the use of a patient’s own fat tissue to replace the volume loss caused by treatment for breast cancer or other congenital abnormalities.
Who is a suitable candidate for lipofilling?
Potential patients must meet certain criteria in order to be eligible for lipofilling. These criteria include being in good health before the procedure and informing the healthcare provider of any prior history of bleeding or smoking. Additionally, the patient must have sufficient fat present and the treatment objectives must be appropriate for the patient’s body type.
Patients considering lipofilling should be aware that it may take more than one session to achieve complete contour correction, as not all fat will be accepted. Furthermore, fat transfer cannot be used as a substitute for breast implants, as the patient’s expectations for size and reshaping cannot be achieved through lipofilling alone.
Preparation for lipofilling
In general, lipofilling may involve the following preparatory steps:
- Physician will conduct a thorough assessment to determine any physical or medical conditions that need to be addressed.
- Depending on the patient’s medical history and age, various diagnostic procedures may be necessary, such as blood and imaging tests, to detect any abnormalities that may compromise the safety of the procedure.
- It is important to view the patient’s ultrasound and mammogram images.
- Any allergies or consumption of vitamins or supplements by the patient must be known.
- Identification of the areas that require fat transfer must be made.
- Presenting patients with before and after images of individuals who had previously undergone lipofilling to highlight the predicted results of the treatment.
- Once the plan of action has been established and the patient has decided to undergo lipofilling, a written consent must be obtained from the patient.
Procedure for lipofilling
The procedure is typically conducted under general anaesthesia and has three components:
Harvesting: Healthy fat will be extracted from the abdominal area and/or thighs using a needle inserted through minor cuts.
Processing: Extracted fat will be subjected to centrifugation in order to maximize the concentration of healthy fat cells and stem cells suitable for grafting.
Grafting: Healthy fatty tissue is transferred into the breast or chest wall defects.
Post-procedure care and recovery for lipofilling
Following the procedure, patients can return home the same day and will be scheduled for follow-up appointments in 10 to 14 days. For a few days, the recipient’s breast area may be bruised. As the volume is reabsorbed, breast size will decrease over time. Therefore, this procedure must be repeated in order to achieve a larger lipofilling volume. Additionally, bruising may occur at the donor site. To reduce pain and bleeding, it is recommended to wear abdominal garments or a compression stockinet. Generally, patients can resume normal activities within a week or two.
Risks and complications of lipofilling
Lipofilling is generally considered to be safe; however, like any minimally invasive procedure, there are certain potential risks and complications associated with lipofilling, including:
- Anaesthetic risks
- Infection
- Fat Embolism
- Pulmonary complications
- Hematoma
- Seroma
- Fat necrosis
- Skin sagging
- Breast skin numbness
- Delayed healing
FAQs
There will not be any noticeable scarring on breasts as lipofilling involves very minor incisions that are difficult to detect once they have healed. These incisions are typically situated within the folds of the skin to reduce their visibility.
Once postoperative swelling has subsided, fat transfer to the breasts typically takes three to six months to notice visible results. However, this timeline may vary depending on the individual’s desired outcome, health status, and body shape.
Due to the limited amount of tissue transferred in each session, total breast reconstruction requires several sessions of lipofilling. Additionally, only small breasts may be completely reconstructed with lipofilling.
Lipofilling procedure is intended to be a long-term solution, as the fat cells in the area of the injection will form a blood supply. It should be noted that approximately 30-40% of the fat may be absorbed by the body, while the remaining fat will be incorporated into the breast tissue and act similarly to fat in other parts of the body. Therefore, the breast fat transfer may vary with changes in weight or during pregnancy.
It is possible that during fat transfer, oil cysts may form under the skin. Over time, these cysts will resolve themselves, but if they persist, it is important to consult with a surgeon to determine the best course of treatment. Additionally, fat necrosis and granulomas are both known to cause breast lumps. To reduce lumps following lipofilling, it is essential to ensure that the fat is thoroughly purified prior to injection into the breasts.