Procedures
Fat Transfer Surgery
Fat transfer surgery, also known as fat grafting or lipofilling, is a cosmetic procedure that involves harvesting fat from one part of the body and injecting it into another area to enhance volume, contour, and appearance. This innovative technique allows for a natural augmentation of body areas such as the face, breasts, buttocks, and hands, using your own fat cells. Consultant Plastic Surgeon Anca Breahna, a distinguished plastic surgeon in the UK, performs fat transfer surgery, offering you a dual benefit: slimming down areas with excess fat while enhancing other parts that may lack volume or fullness. Her approach is highly personalised, focusing on achieving balanced, natural-looking results that harmonise with your overall physique and aesthetic goals.
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At a glance
1-2 hours
General anaesthetic
Overnight
7-10 days off work
6 weeks
Table of Contents
Who Needs Fat Transfer Surgery
Fat transfer surgery is suitable for patients seeking to improve their body contours by adding volume to specific areas while reducing fat in others. Ideal candidates for this procedure include:
- Individuals with Volume Loss: Those experiencing volume loss due to ageing, weight fluctuations, or certain medical conditions can benefit from the volumising effects of fat transfer, especially in the face, hands, and other areas.
- Patients Seeking Body Contour Enhancements: Individuals looking for a more sculpted and contoured appearance, such as fuller buttocks or breasts, without the use of synthetic implants, may find fat transfer an appealing option.
- People with Asymmetries or Contour Irregularities: Fat grafting can correct asymmetries and smooth out irregularities, providing a more balanced and harmonious body shape.
- Those Preferring Natural Alternatives: Patients who prefer using their own tissue over synthetic materials for cosmetic enhancement often choose fat transfer for its natural look and feel.
Candidates should be in good health, have realistic expectations, and possess sufficient fat in donor sites for extraction. During the consultation, Anca assesses your suitability for fat transfer surgery, discussing your goals, expectations, and any potential limitations of the procedure.
Benefits of Fat Transfer Surgery
Fat transfer surgery presents numerous advantages, making it an increasingly popular choice for those seeking cosmetic enhancements. Anca, utilising her vast experience, ensures patients achieve the desired outcomes, emphasising the natural and lasting results of fat grafting. The benefits include:
- Natural Results and Feel: Unlike synthetic fillers or implants, fat transfer uses the patient’s own fat to enhance body areas, offering results that look and feel natural. The integration of your own tissue ensures compatibility and reduces the risk of adverse reactions.
- Dual Benefit: This procedure offers a dual benefit – removing unwanted fat from areas like the abdomen or thighs while enhancing other parts of the body, such as the breasts or buttocks. This approach allows for a superior body reshaping.
- Minimal Invasiveness: Compared to traditional augmentation surgeries that may require larger incisions and implants, fat transfer involves smaller incisions for fat harvesting and injection, leading to reduced scarring.
- Lower Risk of Rejection: Since the procedure uses your own fat, the risk of the body rejecting the material or experiencing allergic reactions is significantly lower than with synthetic materials.
- Improved Skin Texture: Fat grafting can improve the texture and appearance of the skin in the treated area, thanks to the stem cells and growth factors present in the transferred fat. This can lead to a rejuvenated skin appearance, particularly noted in facial fat transfers.
- Versatility: Fat transfer can be applied to various parts of the body, allowing for customised enhancements tailored to your needs and aesthetic goals.
Types of Fat Transfer Procedures
Facial Fat Transfer
Used to rejuvenate the face, restore volume to cheeks, fill in hollows under the eyes, or plump up thinning lips. This procedure can provide a more youthful appearance, reducing wrinkles and improving facial contours.
Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer
An alternative to implants, this method increases breast size and improves shape using the patient’s own fat. It’s ideal for those seeking a moderate increase in breast size and a more natural look and feel.
Hand Rejuvenation with Fat Transfer
Fat grafting can be used to add volume to the hands, reducing the appearance of veins and tendons and creating a smoother, more youthful look.
How Is the Procedure Performed
The fat transfer procedure is performed in several steps, starting with the extraction of fat from the donor site, followed by purification, and ending with the injection into the target area. Anca employs the latest techniques and technologies to ensure the highest viability of fat cells and optimal results:
- Harvesting: Fat is gently liposuctioned from the donor area, typically where there is an abundance of fat, such as the abdomen, thighs, or flanks. The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia with sedation, depending on the extent of liposuction and your preference.
- Purification: Once the fat is extracted, it undergoes a purification process to separate the healthy, viable fat cells from the damaged cells, blood, and other fluids. This step is crucial for ensuring that only the best quality fat is used for reinjection.
- Injection: The purified fat is then carefully and precisely injected into the target areas using specialised cannulas. Anca utilises her expertise to evenly distribute the fat, achieving a smooth, natural-looking enhancement.
The procedure’s duration varies depending on the amount of fat being transferred and the number of areas treated. Anca takes great care to ensure symmetry and proportionality, tailoring the procedure to your specific aesthetic goals.
Fat transfer procedures can vary significantly depending on the area being augmented and the specific goals of the patient. Anca is proficient in a range of fat grafting techniques, each tailored to meet the unique needs of her patients: Facial Fat Transfer, Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer, and Hand Rejuvenation with Fat Transfer.
Each of these procedures begins with liposuction to remove excess fat from areas such as the abdomen, thighs, or hips. The fat is then processed and purified before being strategically injected into the target area to achieve the desired outcome.
Recovery and Aftercare
Recovery from fat transfer surgery varies depending on the extent of the procedure, including the amount of fat harvested and the areas treated. Anca provides each patient with a detailed aftercare plan to ensure a smooth recovery and the best possible outcomes. Key aspects of recovery and aftercare include:
- Downtime: Patients typically require a period of downtime following the procedure, during which they should rest and avoid strenuous activities. The length of this period can vary but generally ranges from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the scope of the surgery.
- Swelling and Bruising: It’s normal to experience swelling and bruising at both the donor and recipient sites. These effects gradually subside over the weeks following the procedure.
- Compression Garments: Anca may recommend wearing compression garments on the areas where fat was harvested to help reduce swelling and support the healing tissues.
- Pain Management: Any discomfort or pain can usually be managed with prescribed or over-the-counter pain relievers, as advised by Anca.
- Follow-Up Visits: Regular follow-up appointments with Anca are crucial to monitor the healing process, assess the results of the fat transfer, and address any concerns that may arise.
- Maintaining Results: For the best long-term outcomes, you should maintain a stable weight, as significant weight fluctuations can affect the volume and shape of the transferred fat.
Reviews
Patient satisfaction is the top priority for Anca. You can find how patients feel about her work below.
My husband found Miss Breahna on an internet search, I was slightly nervous, as I was always told to have someone recommended. However from the first appointment, to now, 6 weeks post op. I believe everything happens for a reason. Anca, is so thorough, and knowledgeable I have crohns, and AS, and struggle with fluctuating weight. This was something I thought would be a barrier. But with Anca’s expertises it was nothing. I have had a breast uplift, liposuction, and fat transfer meaning my breasts now have shape, they are no bigger, but are the correct shape, and I haven’t needed to have an implant either. I felt that Anca, never even thought about money, she just wanted the best for you, in that sense, she offered 2-3 pre consultations, the aftercare has been amazing, excellent communication, and I even wanted another procedure, of which she has recommended waiting for (many other consultants would have gone ahead regardless for the money I feel). I honestly couldn’t be happier, and can’t wait to have the next procedure. I wholeheartedly have full faith and trust in Anca. I would also like to say thank you to Claire, Anca’s PA who made the communication seamless, and looking after my little ones to enable me to have a consultation.
Choosing Miss Breahna for my Breast augmentation was the best choice I made! She was really helpful in all consultations, nothing was awkward, I felt comfortable at all times. She made sure I knew everything before making a decision. The day of my operation was a breeze, I was reassured everything was going to be fine, I had the best treatment and care. I am so happy with my results, I couldn’t praise miss Breahna anymore, I would recommend her to anyone, she’s an amazing surgeon!
Outstanding results – I couldn’t be happier with the outcome
After many years of wanting to have a more feminine body I thought long and hard about having a breast augmentation. So I went on the journey to researching plastic surgeons. I then booked in a few consultations and there was no question about it, I wanted to DR. Breahna to do my surgery.
DR Anca Breahna was so kind, but her expertise and skills are phenomenal. I felt at ease and comfortable with her from my first visit. She was very informative and spent a lot of her time making sure I understood the procedure and the recovery that was involved with the surgery. I had several consultations before my surgery which was very reassuring to me, it also demonstrated that DR Anca Breahna really cares about her patients.
Dr Anca Breahna performed my breast augmentation with precision and achieved outstanding results, I couldn’t be happier with the outcome and the positive impact it has had on my life. The post-op after care has been second to none they are truly professional and genuinely care about your well being. I am just over 13 weeks post op and feeling so much more feminine and have gained my confidence back.
I would highly recommend DR Anca Breahna to anyone considering a breast augmentation.
My warmest thanks to DR Anca Breahna and all her team at The Nuffield Chester x
How Much Is Fat Transfer Surgery in the UK
The cost of fat transfer surgery in the UK can vary widely based on several factors, including the complexity of the procedure, the volume of fat being transferred, the areas treated, and the surgeon’s experience and location. As a leading expert in fat transfer surgery, Anca ensures that all patients receive a clear and detailed breakdown of costs during their initial consultation.
On average, the price for fat transfer can range from £2,500 to £8,000 or more. Specific factors that can influence the cost include:
- Multiple Treatment Areas: Treating several areas or transferring fat to multiple parts of the body can increase the overall cost due to the additional time and complexity involved.
- Combination with Other Procedures: Patients opting to combine fat transfer with other cosmetic procedures, such as liposuction (beyond the harvesting process) or a tummy tuck, will face higher overall costs.
- Experience and Reputation of the Surgeon: Highly experienced surgeons like Anca, known for their expertise and successful outcomes, may charge more, reflecting the quality and safety of the care provided.
- Facility and Geographic Location: The cost can also vary depending on where the surgery is performed, with prices typically higher in major cities due to increased demand and operational costs.
It’s important to consider the value of investing in high-quality care and achieving their desired aesthetic outcomes when evaluating the cost of fat transfer surgery. Undergoing fat transfer surgery with Anca means entrusting your appearance to a skilled surgeon dedicated to achieving natural, beautiful results that enhance your confidence and overall quality of life.
Further Reading
Read Anca’s Blog on Natural Boob Job – Autologous Fat Transfer to the Breasts
Read Anca’s Blog on How to Get Perky Breasts and Upper Pole Fullness
Read Anca’s Blog on Treating Small Breasts/ Hypomastia/ Amastia
Read Anca’s Blog on What are Tuberous Breasts and How to Correct Them
Procedure
Frequently asked questions
Am I suitable for fat transfer surgery?
An important condition for patients interested in getting fat transfer surgery is having a donor area with enough fat. Fat is harvested from the donor area, purified and then reinjected.
Are there any side effects or risks with transferring fat?
Swelling, bruising and temporary numbness are common side effects with fat transfer surgery. These side effects usually subside within the first two weeks post-op.
Medical References about Fat Transfer Surgery
- Fat Transfer: Surgeries, Results, Risks & What to Expect – Cleveland Clinic
- Principles and Applications of Fat Grafting in Plastic Surgery
- Fat grafting history and applications – American Society of Plastic Surgeons
- Current Fat Grafting Practices and Preferences
- Surgical fat transfer – NHS
Ms Anca Breahna, PhD, MSc, FEBOPRAS, FRCS (Plast) is a highly regarded Consultant Plastic Surgeon specialising in the field of Aesthetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery. Anca performs a range of breast, body and face surgery and minor skin procedures.
