The idea of “fat transfer” is not new; scientists developed techniques for similar procedures as early as the late 1800’s. However, in 1988 the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) refused to endorse the procedure. There were concerns that calcification of the implanted fat would create false positive results on mammograms, causing unnecessary stress for women who had had the procedure done. Just last year, however, the ASPS reversed its position after deciding that advances in the procedure alleviated those concerns.
The fat transfer procedure is relatively simple and usually takes only a single day. First the physician, using typical liposuction procedures, removes fat from a specific area of the body – say the thighs, waist, or buttocks. The fat is then purified using a centrifuge device. This purified fat is then injected into the breast through a series of tiny incisions no bigger than a line on a piece of paper.
This procedure is still relatively unknown, representing only about 5% of all breast augmentations. However, this may be an ideal way to both remove unwanted fat and simultaneously enhance another area of your body naturally. The best way to find out if you’re a good candidate for a fat transfer is to talk to a board-certified liposuction doctor. He or she can take you through a procedure, show you the latest advances and discuss possible risks and side effects.