Lipofilling

This procedure is one not undertaken lightly and in order to reduce the risks of complications and optimise the outcome I recommend my patients have a BMI of 30 or less and are physically fit prior to surgery. Physical exercise such as pilates is helpful before surgery to strengthen your core which will aid a faster recovery.

This will be decided when you come to the clinic. You will be advised which placement is most appropriate for your goals. Implant registry – all implants are now recorded on a national database called the Breast and Cosmetic Implant Registry (BCIR). This is managed by NHS Digital and entry of your information onto the database is mandatory to allow you to be traced in the event of an issue with your type of implant in the future. For information on the Registry please click here.

We know when we perform fat transfer that around half the fat cells cannot survive and dissolve. Your body naturally processes these cells. Sometimes those fat cells which don’t survive form a lump and this is known as fat necrosis. It will usually improve with massage but if the fat transfer has been to the breast I may recommend review by the breast clinic for safety. In some cases it can appear no fat survives but in these cases we usually see an improvement in the scar tissue or skin quality at the least. This is more common after radiotherapy.

These will be discussed in the clinic. Please note a specific cup size cannot be guaranteed but you can express a preference. In order to reduce your risk you can make sure you eat healthily, are a healthy weight, and stop smoking.

Your wounds will usually be healed in 2 weeks. Occasionally areas can take up to 6 weeks to heal. You will need to wear your post-surgical bra day and night for 6 weeks.

Most patients who have breast implants can still breastfeed. Please be aware some patients cannot breastfeed and if this is important to you then you may wish to consider delaying surgery. Also breastfeeding will change the result of your augmentation.

When having mammograms in the future you should let them know you have had surgery. There is a higher chance you will be recalled to check an area in the breast but there is no increased chance of getting breast cancer after this surgery. You may be advised to get a mammogram prior to having surgery. This could be related to a high-risk family history or if you are due for a mammogram on the national screening programme. Miss Jackson will advise you when you come for your out-patient appointment. Something to note is that the fat cells can appear as speckling or calcification on a mammogram. This might mean you are more likely to be recalled for another mammogram or brought to the breast clinic for review. There is no good evidence that fat transfer to the breast increases the risk of cancer. However, in order to be as safe as possible, I aim to place the new fat cells around the breast tissue and not within it.

This may be the right operation for you if:

• You want an increase in the size of your breasts
• You have no objection to having silicone
• You accept the long-term risks associated with breast implants such as rupture and BIA-ALCL
• You understand that removing the implants in the future will result in residual loose skin

Not sure about breast augmentation? Consider Fat Transfer.