BREAST AUGMENTATION
Breast enlargement with lipofilling
Borstrvergroting Borstvergroting met lipofilling
Breast lipofilling
Lipofilling is an advanced technique used to achieve subtle volume changes or to aesthetically optimise specific areas of the breast, such as the décolletage and the lower pole. For significant volume changes, a second session may be necessary. It is crucial to have sufficient fat tissue available and to set realistic expectations..
Advantages.
Your own tissue
By using your own fat tissue, the shape of the breast can be improved and more volume can be added, without your body rejecting it.
Natural
Your own fat tissue feels natural and soft. A prosthesis can sometimes be felt. Surviving fat lasts a lifetime.
Targeted
With lipofilling, specific areas of the breast can be treated. These are aesthetically important areas such as the décolletage or the lower pole. No incisions are involved.
Disadvantages.
Availability
You must obviously have enough fat tissue for the procedure to be successfully performed. Slimly built individuals are not good candidates. Experience shows that 100 mL of fat tissue can provide a volume increase of 40 to 50 cc.
Unpredictable?
The result can sometimes be unpredictable. We know that a specific volume is retained, but various factors such as lifestyle, the quality of the fat tissue, and age affect its survival. For larger volumes, a second treatment is often necessary.
Inflammation
If the fat tissue is not adequately purified, remnants of blood and oil may be injected. This can result in inflammation and the formation of uncomfortable cysts.
Process.
Breast enlargement with lipofilling.
A breast enlargement with lipofilling is a minimally invasive technique for a natural breast enlargement to achieve. However, certain conditions must be met: sufficient available fat tissue, a healthy lifestyle, and realistic expectations (smaller volumes).
The procedure takes place in day admission under general anaesthesia. The procedure lasts approximately one and a half to two hours.
Breast enlargement with lipofilling.
Before the procedure, Dr. Stillaert will discuss with you where the fat tissue will be removed through liposuction. You can participate in deciding the desired locations. Popular areas include the thighs (inner and outer), lower back (love handles), abdomen, knees, or the back of the upper legs. During the procedure, these areas are infiltrated with a "liposuction fluid." This sterile solution contains anesthesia and medication to minimize bruising.
Liposuction.
With Power Assisted Liposuction (PAL) and a cannula with a diameter of 3 mm the subcutaneous fat tissue is carefully removed. It is important not to work too superficially to prevent irregularities in the skin. The obtained fat tissue is collected sterilely and then washed with a sterile saline solution. This process purifies the fat tissue and removes all blood components and oil droplets, which promotes survival (less inflammatory response).
Lipoaspirate.
The obtained aspirated fat tissue that has been purified is also called "lipoaspirate." It is now a liquid, injectable substrate consisting of countless cells that cling together. Because this is a liquid substance, the firmness of the volume increase is also less than, for example, a prosthesis (which is a solid, silicone substance). This lipoaspirate will add volume but is softer.
Breast lipofilling.
The purified fat tissue is injected into the subcutaneous tissue layers of the breast . Dr. Stillaert does not advocate injecting fat tissue into the breast gland itself, as he believes the breast gland should be left undisturbed. In individuals with good skin laxity, more fat tissue can be injected. Over-injecting should be avoided, as this increases the pressure in the tissues too much, which is harmful to the survival of the fat. This can result in cyst formation. When the pressure becomes critical, one stops; this can be assessed during the procedure. It is better to repeat the procedure if necessary.
Examples.
View some examples of a breast enlargement with lipofilling. The photos can give you a good idea of the feasibility and the desired result. Photos must be at least three months post-operative and preferably 6 months to a year at a stable body weight.
SURVIVAL
Adipose tissue
Lipofilling is a procedure in which fat tissue from the body is injected to create extra volume. This fat is obtained through liposuction and then purified to remove all oil and blood residues. The purified fat tissue is then injected into the subcutaneous layers. Initially, the injected fat survives by absorbing nutrients from the surrounding area. At the same time, new blood vessels develop towards the fat tissue, allowing it to become well-perfused and survive.
MORE INFO
Frequently asked questions
Lipofilling is a suitable technique for adding small amounts of volume to the breasts. It is necessary to have sufficient fat tissue and to maintain a healthy lifestyle. For larger volumes, it may often be necessary to schedule a second session, provided there is still enough fat tissue available.
The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia and takes place in a day case setting. During this procedure, liposuction is applied to extract fat tissue, after which the fat is carefully purified and injected into the subcutaneous layers of the breast. After the injection, the body will integrate and rehydrate the fat tissue, which is crucial for the survival of the injected cells. It is of great importance to carefully dose the injection amount to prevent cyst formation, which can occur due to excessive pressure on the fat cells. It may be advisable to consider a second session for optimal results.
After liposuction, patients may experience some discomfort in the first week. In the chest area, there may be a feeling of tightness, but this is usually temporary and will improve quickly.
It is crucial to understand that the final result can only be properly assessed after a period of three months. At that point, the swelling has subsided and we can make an accurate evaluation of the remaining fat tissue. The injected fat tissue undergoes a process of remodeling over the course of a year. If desired, the procedure can be reconsidered after three months to optimise the result.
After the surgical procedure, there will be a temporary swelling of the breast. This swelling will gradually subside as the injected fat tissue adapts to the new conditions. A more accurate picture of the final result can usually be obtained three months after the procedure. It is important to emphasise that the fat tissue will continue to restructure over a period of up to a year.
Avoiding smoking is essential. The viability of adipose tissue is influenced by various factors, including age, tissue quality, lifestyle, the method of processing, and the injection technique. I also advise my patients to follow a diet rich in proteins and anti-inflammatory substances. You will also receive a specially developed skin cream to promote blood circulation after the procedure.
We will always pay attention to the aesthetic zones of the breast. The aesthetic zones are: 1/ the lower pole, 2/ the décolletage, and 3/ the transition between the breast and the chest. Therefore, we will not simply inject fat everywhere in the breast. By focusing on the aesthetic zones, we will achieve a natural result.
Secondly, we never inject too much fat tissue. An excessive volume that is injected can lead to the death of fat cells because the pressure in the tissues becomes too great. High tissue pressure "suffocates" the fat cells with a high risk of death.
Thirdly, we will not inject into the breast gland itself but into the subcutaneous tissue layers. Injecting fat tissue into the breast gland can theoretically lead to small calcifications over time. This may complicate a mammogram of the breasts at a later age.
We advocate for a mammogram to be performed prior to the procedure. This examination serves as a reference study for later as well. Should there be small calcifications present in the breast tissue, they will be mapped out. Thus, we know that they were present and are not attributable to the lipofilling procedure. For individuals with a family history of breast cancer, this examination is certainly indicated.
Yes, that is possible. Cyst formation occurs due to the death of fat tissue. When fat cells die, they can merge and form a cyst filled with oil. This oil comes from the fat cells themselves, which contain an oil droplet. We can minimise the risk of cyst formation, depending on the technique used. We advise washing the fat tissue instead of centrifuging it, as washing makes the fat tissue cleaner and better removes oil and blood residues. Injecting too much fat tissue can also contribute to cyst formation, which we should avoid. If a cyst forms, it can sometimes disappear through massage. In some cases, the cyst can also be resolved during a consultation by gently pressing on it.
Scientific studies show that lipofilling does not cause breast cancer. However, it is important to note that if there is already a hidden breast cancer present and lipofilling is performed, the injection cannula may potentially spread the cancer. Therefore, it is necessary to have a mammogram done before the procedure.
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