Fat processing in centrifuge
There are two types of fat injection that are being confused in this debate. The first is injection of fat itself for breast augmentation. We will call this fat injection. The second is injection of fat which is supplemented with an ultra concentrated volume of fat. This ultra concentrate sample of fat has a high concentration of stem cells. We will call this stem cell enhanced fat injection.
Fat injection for breast augmentation: The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has put out a position paper regarding fat transfer. This link will download the pdf file for you: asps-fat-transfer-graft-guiding-principles . In it the issue of breast cancer detection is addressed. To quote the ASPS text:
“Concern regarding the interference of autologous fat grafts with breast cancer detection is not validated by the limited number of studies available on the topic.”
In other words, at this point there is no evidence that fat injection interferes with breast cancer detection.” As far as complications, lumps, or irregularities the position paper states:
“Studies indicate that results of fat transfer remain dependent on a surgeon’s technique and expertise”.
In other words, when an experienced surgeon uses the correct technique, the results are good. In more than four years of injecting massive volumes of fat to the buttocks, I have yet to encounter any significant complications. I use techniques described by Sidney Coleman which have stood the test of time.
Fat injections for breast augmentation have been done carefully, systematically, and succesfully in other countries as well as in the US. As long as proper technique is used, I don’t see why results would be any different than fat injection to the buttocks, which already has an established track record.
Stem cell enhanced fat cell injection: There are no new types of cells injected in a stem cell enhanced fat cell injection. The stem cells come from the same place the rest of the fat cells come from, your own fat tissue. There are normally occurring stem cells mixed with other fat cells as within the blood vessels and connective tissue of the fat.
All that we are doing is concentrating those cells so they are injected in closer proximity to each other. This likely allows for greater interaction between the stem cells themselves and the surrounding tissues, so there is stimulation for the stem cells to differentiate and create new healthy tissues.
This is not theory, it has been shown to work in breast cancer patients who have had lumpectomies followed by irradiation of tissues. I have seen the positive results in my own lumpectomy patients. These are very difficult cases which up to now were treated with complicated tissue transfers that depended on taking large pieces of tissue from other parts of the body. Clinical studies in Italy, France, and the United states have shown the efficacy of stem cell enhanced fat transfers in helping these patients.
There is a theory that stem cells themselves pose a risk to the breast by somehow turning themselves into breast cancer cells . In order to do that the stem cells would have to differentiate first into breast duct cells. The breast duct cells develop as outgrowths from the areola after a long and complex series of signals highly dependent on specific surrounding tissues.That a stem cell injected into breast would follow this highly specific series of steps is unlikely, at best. Rather, stem cells injected into connective tissue, as they are in the breast, will follow local tissue signals and differentiate ito new connective tissue. This has been demonstrated clinically.
Stem cells injected into the breast are no more likely to turn cancerous than anywhere else in the body.
There is a lot of misinformation and confusion regarding stem cell therapy, as this is a new and exciting field. The FDA is even thinking of classifying stem cell therapy as “drug therapy”. This would be a tremendous mistake as it would bring progress in this extremely promising field to a screeching halt.
Adult stem cells are purified from your own fat. They are not a “drug”. I know that I will be discussing this more .
Ricardo L Rodriguez, MD
http://www.cosmeticsurg.net
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16 Comments
February 27, 2010 at 2:03 pm
Roslyn:
Stem cells and fat are the most natural and satisfactory way, but because of the work involved, it is also the most expensive way to get a breast augmentation.
Silicon is much less expensive, but slightly more expensive than saline implants. Frankly, if my daughter requested implants, I would recommend her silicon.
Saline implants are the most economical, but unfortunately, after 22 years in practice I am seeing a lot of deflations. The FDA has declared silicon implants to be no more dangerous than silicon, if you are concerned about safety. By the way, just take a look around our blog section on breast, as it has a lot of information regarding types of implants, scars, body types, etc. You will get a lot of information there. Enjoy it and good luck on your research!
You could also email Kelly at kelly@cosmeticsurg.net to arrange for a virtual consultation.
February 22, 2010 at 11:44 am
I’m really intrested in a breast augmentation, I am a 32A and I want to go to a 32C maybe a B. I’ve been doing research, but I haven’t found any helpful anwsers. What’s the most inexpensive/effective way to have a procedure like this done? The stem cell as well as the saline gel seems like a good idea, as opposed to silicone. But I’m just unsure and a little confused.
Thanks!!
Roz
December 12, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Lou:
A fat transfer will give you a 1 cup volume augmentation reliably, if done by an experienced surgeon. Make sure he does micro fat grafting.
You could go from a B to a C, but it is possible to go to a “D”. That would depend on a lot of factors, including what amount of donor fat you have, and the technique of the surgeon.
The most reliable way would be to do it in more than one session.
Thanks for checking out our blog!
December 9, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Hi, I had a breast augmentation a few years ago and went from an A to a DD. I want to have them removed but I dont want to be completely flat again. Would it be possible to reach a D cup with stem cell fat transfer? And if not, can you have multiple fat transfers to do this?
December 3, 2009 at 8:39 am
Nikki:
The normal breasts I have done are the contralateral breasts in patients who I have treated for radiation damage. It is no different than a patient done purely for augmentation purposes.
I think the reason fat injections for breast augmentation have not taken off is that they are too labor and resource intensive compared to a breast augmentation. When offered the alternative, patients end up making the decision based on price alone.
Unlike the case with Brazilian Butt lifts, where the butt implant record is so poor that fat injections are clearly preferred, breast implants have a great track record.
In response to your question, permanence of fat grafts in the breast is highly technique dependent. If done correctly, fat grafts should last as long as you keep your weight. Even if you lose weight, the fat cells will be there and regain volume when you gain weight again.
December 2, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Would you please post before & after photos of fat transfers to the breasts that you’ve performed? I am very interested in learning more about it. Are the results permanent if the person maintains the same wieght?
October 27, 2009 at 10:52 am
We have great success with with fat transfer to the buttocks, and have done well over a hundred cases.
As far as fat transfers to the breast, we had intentionally held off until further studies were available about the longevity and risks of the procedure.
The American Society of Plastic Surgery has published a new set of guidelines, and the long term risks are much less than what was feared.
Because of this, we now feel comfortable in recommending the procedure. We have done a few cases with no complications, and the results do hold up very well.
Contact Kelly at kelly@cosmeticsurg.net, we’ll be happy to hear from you!
October 22, 2009 at 9:05 am
I have seen a plastic surgeon who is keen to injected the fat from my stomache into my breast, however he cannot guarantee a result and how long it will last, I am a size 10 and I do not have a huge amount of body fat. I have breast feed 3 babies and am a 34b.c but they are saggy, I cannot decide to go with his suggestion or silicone for a guaranteed result?
September 10, 2009 at 7:30 am
I am familiar with a Doctor in Japan and another in Korea who have been doing this for years. There are now clinical trials in Italy.
As far as saggy breasts, etc., you could consider doing a breast lift, then after a suitable healing period, do the fat injections.
September 9, 2009 at 12:22 am
Hi Doc. From my understanding there is a doctor in China who has been doing this fir years. I also read that they r doing a trial study in europe. I belive it started in 2008. I’m understanding that u can only go up 1/2 to maybe 1 cup size & your breasts need to be fairly firm. Having saggy breast from breast feeding or loosing weight for instance is not a good candidate! Can u confirm any of this .
August 26, 2009 at 3:03 pm
You are correct, there is such a procedure, and we have been successful with it here.
We’d be delighted to help you with this, contact Kelly, my patient coordinator, at: kelly@cosmeticsurg.net
Here’s a link to a related subject
August 23, 2009 at 2:03 pm
HI DOCTOR
I REALLY AM VERY INSECURE WITH MY BREAST AND I NEED THEM BIGGER. I WANTED TO KNOW IF IT IS TRUE THAT THERE IS A BREAST PROCEDURE WHERE YOU CAN USE YOUR OWN FAT CELLS AND IMPLANTED IN YOUR BREAST,IS THAT TRUE? PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THANK YOU
May 21, 2009 at 11:53 am
Tubular deformity is congenital. That is, you were born with a predisposition to it. As your breasts developed, they followed a pattern that ended up with your particular shape.
The correction involves surgery to reshape the breast. Often it needs an implant to fill out the breast skin envelope and widen the base of the breast. I doubt that fat injections alone would give you the type of volume augmentation needed to correct a tubular breast deformity.
May 20, 2009 at 4:30 pm
hi, Doctor:
After viewing your web, I just found out that I have tubular breast which I though it was just too small. I didn’t think of it is not normal. Can you please explain why this would happen and how cause this kind of breast develope. Is this suitable for self fat transfer with stem cell since i believe that i might not have so many mammy lines.
Tks a lot
Amanda Huang
fomentord@gmail.com
May 13, 2009 at 11:16 am
There are no long term results in the breast per se, but there are enough long term results in other areas. Technically you are right, there are no long term results, but in real world terms If the fat is there after 4 months, it will survive permanently.
May 9, 2009 at 4:52 pm
There is not enough late result to say it is reliable way to make augmentation I think.
http://www.estetikklinikleri.com
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