The majority of breast lift candidates are ordinary mothers and middle-aged women. The thought of the operation and having natural, proportionate "own" breasts once again has sometimes been brewing for years.

Breast lift without implants

In mastopexy, or breast lift, all possible existing breast tissue is used to create the new breast shape. During the lift, the shape of the breasts is overcorrected, making them bulge at the top and flat at the bottom. The breasts will gradually settle into their normal shape within 2-4 months when wearing a good sports bra. A well-performed and well-cared-for breast lift is more likely to give long-lasting results.

Fat transfer to the breasts

Breasts can also be lifted by transferring the patient's own fat tissue to the breasts. Using the gentle WAL liposuction technique, fat is extracted from the area specified by the patient, such as the sides, abdomen, or thighs. The fat collected through liposuction is then transferred to the subcutaneous fat tissue of the breast and under the mammary gland to lift and enlarge the breast.

Sairaala KL began performing breast fat transfers using WAL technology in 2008, becoming the first clinic in Finland to do so.

To whom is fat transfer suitable for?

Fat transfer to the breasts can be recommended when the patient desires natural, soft breasts with a fuller shape. A more significant change usually requires several fat transfer procedures or breast implants. Fat transfer is well suited for older individuals whose breasts may have sagged due to breastfeeding and who have sufficient fat in the donor site. Fat adhesion is usually weaker in young, slim people whose breasts are small and firm and who only have enough fat for one transfer session. 

We do not recommend fat transfer if there is little fat available and enough for only one transfer session. Fat transfer can also be used to correct deformities, asymmetry, or the after-effects of surgical procedures such as cancer surgery.

Fat transfer is a good option for people suffering from breast asymmetry, as breasts enlarged with fat transfer live and mold themselves along with the rest of the body. Fat transfer is also a good option for people who have problems with silicone implants. The implants can be removed and fat transfer performed in the same operation. If necessary, the shape of the breasts can be corrected later with a mastopexy, or breast lift.

How is fat transfer performed?

Small fat transfers, such as those involving one breast, can be performed under local anesthesia. Larger fat transfers involving both breasts, on the other hand, require spinal anaesthesia or general anaesthesia. The fat transfer site is supported with a support garment.

How should I prepare for the surgery and follow-up care?

If you smoke, you should stop smoking before the surgery: the longer your tissues get to recover from smoking, the better. The use of anti-inflammatory drugs such as Disperin, Aspirin, Primaspan, Burana, Ibusal, Ketorin, and similar drugs, as well as cold medicines, should be stopped one week before the procedure, as they can cause unnecessary bleeding and bruising. Similarly, fish oil capsules, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid supplements, and garlic can cause bleeding, so it is advisable to stop taking them 2-3 weeks before surgery. 

It is recommended that you wear supportive compression stockings or socks on the day of the procedure and for one or two days after the procedure. Compression stockings should be worn especially if you are considered to be at increased risk of blood clots, for example due to being overweight or taking birth control pills.

All women over the age of 30 undergo mammography and ultrasound before breast fat transfer. 

Usually, transferred fat does not cause lumps or hardening. A prerequisite for fat transfer is that there is enough fat to be transferred for two transfer sessions, if necessary. 1,000 milliliters of fat is a surprisingly large amount, and the biggest obstacle to fat transfer is insufficient fat reserves.

After the procedure, you can return home on the same day. The final result can be assessed after about three months, at which point the procedure can be repeated if necessary. The best results are usually achieved with two or more consecutive fat transfers. The fat that has settled and adhered to the breast is permanent and will live and mold itself to the patient's body.
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Can liposuction be performed together with fat transfer?

In the same procedure, more extensive fat removal can be performed after the fat transfer, if the patient so desires. For example, there may be a large amount of fat in the abdominal wall, but only a small portion of it is used for transfer. It is also worth noting that if fat is needed for a possible subsequent transfer, some fat is left in "storage."

Our own publications on the subject:

1. Stem cell enrichment does not warrant a higher graft survival in lipofilling of the breast - a prospective comparative study. H Peltoniemi, A Salmi *, S Miettinen, B Mannerström, K Saariniemi, R Mikkonen, H Kuokkanen, C Herold. JPRAS 2013

2. Enrichment with Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Does Not Enhance Water-Jet Fat Graft Survival in the Breast—A Prospective Comparative Study. Hilkka H. Peltoniemi1, Asko Salmi, Kai Saariniemi, Hannu Kuokkanen, Christian Herold Surgical Science, 2016, 7, 485-495

http://www.scirp.org/journal/ss Online: 2157-9415, ISSN Print: 2157-9407, DOI: 10.4236/ss.2016.711065 October 27, 2016

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The price of the procedure includes 1-2 follow-up visits with the doctor, one piece of necessary support fabric, and a possible stitch removal/wound care visit with our nurse.