Breast Lift with Fat Transfer in Dallas, Texas- Dr. John Burns MD
Breast Lift with Fat Transfer In Dallas, Texas
Embark on a confidence-boosting journey with a breast lift and fat transfer. This procedure combines a breast lift's elevating effects with the natural fullness achieved through fat transfer.
Say goodbye to breast ptosis, characterized by lower nipple position and lack of upper pole volume. Discover the art and precision behind this transformative cosmetic approach, seamlessly blending science and aesthetics for a renewed sense of self.
What Is A Breast Lift with Fat Transfer?
A breast lift with fat transfer is a cosmetic procedure that combines the power of a breast lift with the added volume of a fat transfer. Breast droopiness is also called breast ptosis and is characterized by a lower nipple/areola position, loose skin envelope, and lack of upper pole volume. Breast ptosis is commonly classified on a scale of 1 - 3 with an added category of pseudoptosis
- Pseudoptosis: The breast gland is inferior to the breast crease (IMF) but the nipple is above the breast crease (IMF).
- Grade I ptosis: Mild ptosis: The nipple is at the level of the breast crease (IMF).
- Grade II ptosis: Moderate ptosis: The nipple is below the level of the breast crease (IMF) but not at the most dependent part of the breast.
- Grade III ptosis: Severe ptosis: The nipple is below the breast crease (IMF) and is at the most dependent part of the breast.
When A Breast Lift Is Necessary
For Grade II and III ptosis a breast lift of mastopexy is almost always necessary. In cases of Grade I ptosis, there is some ambiguity, and breast augmentation might accomplish a particular patient's goals. For pseudoptosis, a breast augmentation should suffice.
Anchor-incision breast lift with breast implants by Dr. John Burns, MD in Dallas, Texas.
Breast augmentation resulting in breast elevation without a breast lift by Dr. John Burns, MD in Dallas, Texas.
Getting An Implant Versus Fat with A Breast Lift
If more volume is necessary, either a breast implant or fat transfer can be used to add volume. With breast ptosis, there is often a loss of breast volume. Pregnancy or weight loss in particular leads to both ptosis and volume depletion.
Another factor to consider is that a breast lift or mastopexy lifts the breast by removing excess skin. This results in a lifted breast but in a tighter skin envelope. The result is that the breast often appears smaller even though no breast tissue was removed. In these cases, adding volume is necessary to both increase cup size and to help give the breast a better shape with more upper pole volume, cleavage, and roundness.
Before and After Breast Lift with Fat Grafting by Dr. John Burns, MD in Dallas, Texas
Benefits of Breast Lift with Fat Transfer
Adding volume is accomplished with either an implant or fat transfer. Augmentation with implants is a popular surgical procedure for many because the volume increase is more reliable and an implant gives more upper pole fullness and roundness.
That said, many women today choose fat transfer to avoid the long-term commitment of having breast implants and prefer a more natural approach. Breast implants are not lifetime devices and require replacing every 10 years or so. Other problems with breast implants include implant failure or leak, migration or displacement of the implant over time, capsular formation, and implant palpability. Some women desire to avoid these occurrences altogether and will opt for a more natural breast augmentation using fat.
Fat can provide a more natural-looking aesthetic outcome, giving less upper pole fullness and roundness that mimics a teardrop shape. Most women will see approximately a cup size increase with fat transfer breast augmentation. Some of the fat will be reabsorbed by the body, but generally, about ⅔ will stay permanently. Once placed, fat is permanent and becomes part of the natural breast.
Breast Lift Techniques
Peri-Areolar or Donut Lift (Benelli)
Think of this as a procedure that focuses on the area around your nipple. By making an incision around the areola, or the dark skin around your nipple, we remove extra skin. This can help resize and make your areolas more even. However, it's essential to know that this method mainly targets removing extra skin rather than significantly lifting the breast. Over time, you might notice your areolas getting larger due to the tension.
Vertical or Lollipop Lift (Lejour)
Here, the incision goes around the areola and extends downward, resembling a lollipop shape. While it can lift the breast by about 2-3 cm, there's a risk of the breast's lower part stretching too much over time. This may result in the nipple appearing too high. If this happens, an additional horizontal wedge incision might be needed to correct it.
Standard Wise Pattern or Anchor Lift
Considered the most comprehensive approach, this method involves three incisions: one around the areola, a vertical one down the breast, and a horizontal one along the crease underneath the breast. This technique provides more flexibility in reshaping the breast. It's a robust method that typically offers better and more predictable results, allowing for a more proportionate and aesthetically pleasing outcome about overall breast shape.
In essence, while each method has its benefits, the choice often depends on your specific needs and desired outcomes.
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READ THE BLOGThe Fat Transfer Procedure
How Do We Custom-sculpt The Breasts?
When we talk about adding fat to the breast, we always start with liposuction. In most cases, Dr. Burns will take fat from a patient's abdomen, flanks (love handles) and thighs. In thinner patients where fat may be more scarce, he'll perform an advanced technique called "skimming" to harvest fat from delicate areas like the bra bulge, underarms, and inner thighs.
How Dr. Burns Does It-
Dr. Burns has a unique way of collecting this fat. Dr. Burns uses a gravitational filtration technique where fat is removed into a cylindrical canister placed on a vibrating platform. The device purifies the fat to separate it from other fluids for re-injection. Dr. Burns then uses cannulas to strategically place the fat throughout the upper and lower poles of the breasts. He will fill the breast tissue medially to emphasize breast cleavage, and laterally to add side boob.
How Much Fat Goes In?
The amount of fat we add to the breast depends on a few things, like the tightness of your skin, the amount of your natural breast tissue, and how the breast feels as we add fat. Typically, during one session, we might add between 300 to 600 ccs of fat. After everything settles down, you can expect to see an increase in breast size (approximately 1 cup) once fluid is absorbed, swelling resolves, and some fat reabsorbs.
Recovery Timeline
Graduated Clearance
A breast lift by itself is a relatively painless procedure with limited recovery time. Adding a fat transfer does increase the recovery time due to the liposuction component. The incisions will need to fully heal and the liposuction discomfort and swelling resolve to a point where normal activity is possible. In general, patients undergoing a breast lift and fat transfer will require about a week off work, two weeks to return to normal activity, and about 1- 2 months to return to full exercise.
When Will I See My Final Results?
As with any liposuction procedure, final results are seen at 6 months. Most patients feel recovered at about a month but will still have fresh scars and liposuction swelling. Scar maturation can take about a year and liposuction swelling a full 6 months.
Improved Long-term Results Compared To Traditional Breast Implants
Fat is permanent and once placed becomes part of your natural breast. For many women who desire a more natural result without the worry of an implant, fat is the obvious choice. Initially, the breasts will be large due to fluid and swelling. After about a month the fluid and swelling resolves. Over the next few weeks, the fat stabilizes and about ⅔ becomes a permanent part of the breasts. This fat will act just like normal breast tissue and increase or decrease with weight fluctuations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a breast lift with a fat graft?
A breast lift/mastopexy with fat transfer is about $17,000 for everything including the surgeon’s fee, operating room/facility fee, board-certified anesthesiologist, and all liposuction.
When will my scars fade?
Breast lift scars typically fade after several months taking on their final appearance at about 24 months.
I don’t have a lot of fat, am I a candidate for a breast lift with fat?
In almost all cases in thin patients fat can be harvested using a technique called skimming. Small amounts of fat are removed from multiple sites resulting in an adequate amount of fat for transfer. Common sites are the abdomen, flanks, back, thighs, and arms.
How many cup sizes can I expect to increase with fat?
In most cases fat transfer results in about one cup size increase. The two most important factors are the amount of fat available for transfer from the donor sites and the amount of breast tissue to hold the fat. In some cases, more than a cup size can be achieved.
When will I be able to wear a bra?
Patients are placed into a bra immediately after surgery and wear the bra night and day to help shape the breasts.
Plastic Surgery Financing
The surgery is considered elective and not covered by insurance. The cost of surgery is determined by the surgeon's fee, anesthesia fee, and operating room fee. For those who prefer to review financing options, Dr. Burns' practice recommends financing with CareCredit, Alphaeon, and PatientFi.
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Dr. John Burns
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