Treatments - Breast Surgery

Fat Transfer

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Fat transfer to the breast, also known as autologous fat grafting, is a sophisticated procedure offering natural augmentation and reconstruction options for patients seeking breast enhancement or restoration. Within the comprehensive breast cancer management services at Birmingham Breast Group (BBG), fat transfer represents a versatile approach, providing aesthetic improvements and empowering breast cancer survivors with natural-looking reconstruction options.

At a Glance

Treatment time:

Up to 5 hours

Anaesthetic:

Local or General Anaesthetic

Return to work:

2-4 weeks

Duration:

Long Term Results

Final results:

Breast Augmentation / Reconstruction

About This Treatment

Fat transfer to the breast involves harvesting fat from one part of the body, typically the abdomen or thighs, through liposuction.

The harvested fat is then processed and purified before being strategically injected into the breasts to achieve desired volume and shape. This technique offers a minimally invasive alternative to traditional breast augmentation with implants and provides a more natural-looking result.

The fat transfer procedure begins with a thorough consultation with the surgical team at BBG, during which your aesthetic goals and medical history are discussed. If deemed a suitable candidate, you’ll undergo liposuction to harvest excess fat from donor areas. The harvested fat is then processed to isolate viable fat cells before being meticulously injected into the breasts to achieve the desired augmentation or reconstruction outcome.

Fat transfer to the breast offers several benefits if you’re seeking breast enhancement or reconstruction. Firstly, it provides a natural-looking and feeling result, as the transferred fat integrates seamlessly with surrounding breast tissue. Additionally, fat transfer avoids the risks associated with breast implants, such as implant rupture or capsular contracture. Furthermore, fat transfer allows for simultaneous body contouring, as excess fat is harvested from donor areas, resulting in improved overall body proportions.

For breast cancer survivors undergoing reconstruction, fat transfer offers a viable option for achieving symmetrical and natural-looking breasts. Following mastectomy or lumpectomy procedures, fat transfer can restore volume and contour to the breast, helping you regain confidence and quality of life. Moreover, fat transfer provides a less invasive alternative to traditional flap surgeries, reducing recovery time and potential donor site morbidity.

In autologous breast reconstruction (fat transfer), the DIEP (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator) flap technique and Latissimus Dorsi flap technique are commonly used. The DIEP flap technique involves transferring skin and fat from the lower abdomen to reconstruct the breast mound. Unlike traditional abdominally-based flaps, the DIEP flap preserves the abdominal muscles, resulting in reduced risk of abdominal weakness or hernia. On the other hand, the Latissimus Dorsi flap technique utilises muscle, skin, and fat from the patient’s back, tunnelled under the skin to the chest to form the reconstructed breast. This method is often combined with a breast implant to achieve desired volume and shape. Both techniques offer natural-looking and long-lasting results, tailored to the individual’s needs and anatomy.

Birmingham Breast Group (BBG) is dedicated to delivering comprehensive and patient-centred care to breast cancer patients, including access to fat transfer as part of the breast cancer management pathway. The integration of fat transfer within BBG’s services reflects a commitment to addressing aesthetic and reconstructive needs, ensuring optimal outcomes and quality of life. Through a multidisciplinary approach involving breast surgeons, plastic surgeons, and support staff, BBG provides individualised treatment plans tailored to meet your unique needs and preferences.

At BBG, fat transfer to the breast is performed by a multidisciplinary team of oncoplastic surgeons, working to ensure optimal surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction. Our approach allows for comprehensive preoperative assessment, precise surgical planning, and thorough postoperative care, ensuring that you receive the highest quality of care throughout your treatment journey.

In addition to its role in breast cancer reconstruction, fat transfer to the breast is also utilised for cosmetic purposes, providing patients with natural-looking augmentation and body contouring options. BBG offers fat transfer as part of its cosmetic surgery services, allowing patients like you to enhance your appearance and achieve your aesthetic goals with long-lasting and natural results.

BBG remains at the forefront of breast cancer research, actively participating in clinical trials and contributing to advancements in fat transfer techniques and outcomes. Through ongoing research initiatives, BBG seeks to optimise surgical techniques, improve patient outcomes, and enhance the overall patient experience following fat transfer to the breast.

Fat transfer to the breast represents a versatile and effective approach to breast enhancement and reconstruction, offering natural-looking results, providing viable alternatives to traditional breast augmentation and reconstruction methods. Within the comprehensive breast cancer management services at Birmingham Breast Group (BBG), fat transfer is integrated as part of a multidisciplinary approach, ensuring personalised treatment plans and optimal outcomes. Whether for cosmetic purposes or breast cancer reconstruction, fat transfer to the breast offers a safe, effective, and patient-centred solution for achieving natural-looking augmentation and restoration of breast aesthetics.

Treatment Image

Frequently Asked Questions

The team at Birmingham Breast Group (BBG) comprises expert oncoplastic surgeons with specialised training and extensive experience in performing fat transfer to the breast. These professionals possess advanced knowledge of breast anatomy, aesthetic principles, and surgical techniques, ensuring precise and effective augmentation or reconstruction outcomes. With a commitment to excellence and patient-centred care, the BBG team collaborates closely to develop personalised treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs and preferences. Their expertise and dedication make them highly qualified providers of fat transfer to the breast within BBG’s comprehensive breast cancer management services and cosmetic surgery offerings.

Candidates for fat transfer to the breasts include individuals seeking natural-looking breast augmentation or reconstruction. Breast augmentation candidates may desire modest volume enhancement or seek to correct asymmetry or contour irregularities. Breast reconstruction candidates may have undergone mastectomy or lumpectomy and seek to restore breast volume and contour. Additionally, candidates should have adequate donor fat available for harvesting through liposuction. Multidisciplinary evaluation determines candidacy, ensuring that patients are medically suitable and have realistic expectations for the procedure. Birmingham Breast Group (BBG) offers fat transfer as a versatile option for patients seeking aesthetic enhancement or post-mastectomy reconstruction.

Following fat transfer to the breasts, patients may experience temporary side effects such as swelling, bruising, and discomfort at the donor and injection sites. Some individuals may notice asymmetry or irregularities in breast shape, although these typically resolve as swelling subsides. In some cases, complications such as infection, fat necrosis, or changes in breast sensation may occur, although these occurrences are uncommon with meticulous surgical technique. Additionally, there’s a risk of fat absorption over time, requiring potential touch-up procedures. Overall, side effects from fat transfer to the breasts are typically mild and manageable, with most resolving as the healing process progresses.

Following fat transfer to the breasts, downtime is typically minimal. Most patients can resume light activities and return to work within a few days to a week, depending on individual recovery and job requirements. Driving is usually permitted once patients are no longer taking prescription pain medication and can comfortably manoeuvre their vehicle, typically within a few days. Strenuous activities, including gym workouts, may be gradually resumed after about four to six weeks, allowing adequate time for healing and minimising the risk of complications. It’s essential to follow postoperative instructions provided by the healthcare team for optimal recovery and safety.

How much does Fat Transfer to Breast cost at Birmingham Breast Group?

As each case is unique, the cost of treatment at BBG may vary depending on individual factors. We tailor our approach to meet your specific needs, ensuring that you receive personalised care and comprehensive support throughout your journey.

Initial consultation

please enquire

All consultations are conducted in strict privacy and all information is confidential.

Surgery costs from

based on consultation

Each procedure has its own personalised treatment plan that is meticulously tailored to meet your unique needs and goals. Healthcare Insurance may be accepted.

Fat Transfer

Our Specialist Team

Meet the dedicated professionals at Birmingham Breast Group – committed to excellence, compassion, and personalised care for every patient.

View Our Full Team

BSc, MBBS, MSc, MRCS (Ed), FRCS (Eng), MD, FEBS

Naren Basu

Lead Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon

Meet Naren

BSc, BM, MRCP, FRCR, MD

Daniel Henderson

Consultant Clinical Oncologist

Meet Daniel

MBChB, PhD, FRCS (Eng)

Ms Salena Bains

Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon

Meet Salena

Consultant Clinical oncologist

Dr James Good

PhD, FRCR

Meet James

BSc, PhD, FRCP

Professor Daniel Rea

Professor of Medical Oncology

Meet Daniel

MRCP, FRCR

Dr Sara Meade

Consultant Clinical Oncologist

Meet Sara

BSc, MBBS, MRCS, FRCR

Dr Faisal Majid

Consultant Radiologist

Meet Faisal

MSc, PhD, FRCPath

Dr Abeer Shaaban

Path Consultant Pathologist

Meet Abeer

Bsc, MBBS, MD (Pathology) FRCPath

Dr Rachna Awasthi

Path Consultant Pathologist

Meet Rachna

 

Dawn Larkin

Breast Care Specialist Nurse

Meet Dawn

 

Ruth Tracey

Macmillan Breast Health Care Assistant

Meet Ruth

 

Dr Nadia Alishah

Job Title Here

Meet Nadia

Qualifications Here

Gill Farrington

Breast Care Specialist Nurse

Meet Gill
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Written by a patient at BMI The Priory Hospital, 17th August 2020

Mr Henderson was kind and understanding and I felt completely at ease with him. He was well informed of my condition and explained his treatment plan to me fully. He has been very attentive in answering emails from me and I really cannot recommend him highly enough. I feel very fortunate to have been in his care.

View More Reviews
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Written by a patient at BMI The Priory Hospital, 17th August 2020

Mr Henderson was kind and understanding and I felt completely at ease with him. He was well informed of my condition and explained his treatment plan to me fully. He has been very attentive in answering emails from me and I really cannot recommend him highly enough. I feel very fortunate to have been in his care.

View More Reviews
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Written by a patient at Spire Little Aston Hospital, 1st December 2019

I have been a patient of Dr Basu since being diagnosed with Breast Cancer a few months ago. Despite the curse of my diagnosis I couldn’t have asked for a better Dr and standard of care. He and his team are super-efficient, have gone out of their way to get fast effective treatment for me and he has super-human levels of patience. During every consultation he has been ever patient, carefully listened to all my questions and concerns then taken the time to explain everything to me and provided constant reassurance. He has been accessible at all times even over weekends and the support has been broad. He looks after you as if you are family and despite having a 90 minute journey to see him at times as we wanted the fastest appointment we couldn’t ask for anything more. Our family see him as an angel not just a doctor for what he has done for us and would recommend him in less than a blink of a eye.

View More Reviews
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Written by a patient at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 30th September 2019

I first met Naren Basu in 2016 at the Queen Elizabeth Women’s Hospital. I had been diagnosed with breast cancer. He is an exceptionally skilled man at putting people at their ease and explaining everything with great patience and candour. He is a consummate professional and really knows his stuff, especially relating to breast cancer. He is very clever, witty, and a super surgeon. He carried out a reduction to both my breasts, removing the tumours at the same time. I was fortunate indeed to have my surgery via the NHS, it would have been very expensive as a private patient but worth every penny. I felt like a million dollars after my operation. I think he is a fabulous man and so skilled on so many levels and outstanding in human kindness.

View More Reviews
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Written by a carer at Spire Little Aston Hospital, 12th June 2019

Nine days before I was due to go on an extended holiday I discovered problems in both breasts. I was lucky enough to get an appointment 3 days before travel. Mr Basu even called me on the day of the appointment to ask me to come in earlier to ensure they had time to undergo all of the tests that evening. Anyone who has had these problems will know how overwhelming it is but Mr Basu took his time to speak to me and explained all of the procedures/tests that would be carried out that evening and possible outcomes. I did have a small procedure and again everything was explained fully and felt quite safe in his hands. The follow up appointments were just as thorough and Mr Basu made sure I understood all that we discussed. If I ever found myself in this position again Mr Basu would be my first port of call.

View More Reviews
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Written by a carer at Spire Little Aston Hospital, 11th May 2020

I was diagnosed with HER2 positive breast cancer November 8th 2019 , I was then appointed Dr Henderson almost immediately to discuss my treatment plan and way forward, I must say Dr Henderson was absolutely fantastic, he has a real calming nature and really put myself and my husband at ease , plotting my treatment course from day 1 gave us a massive line of sight to work to and in with combination of the nurses at little Aston facing the biggest fight of my life became easier & easier as the week progressed, I owe Dr Henderson my life and can’t thank him enough, he’s worth is weight in gold

View More Reviews
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Written by a patient at Good Hope Hospital, 27th November 2019

I am currently under the care of Dr Daniel Henderson at Good Hope Hospital, and I couldn’t ask for better. He listens, and speaks to you in laymans terms so you understand what is going on now and in the future. He talks to you and not at you, and has a very calm and soothing manner. If you are lucky enough to be referred to him, rest assured that you are in good hands, as he gets things actioned quickly.

View More Reviews
logo

Written by a patient at Spire Little Aston Hospital, 1st December 2019

I have been a patient of Dr Basu since being diagnosed with Breast Cancer a few months ago. Despite the curse of my diagnosis I couldn’t have asked for a better Dr and standard of care. He and his team are super-efficient, have gone out of their way to get fast effective treatment for me and he has super-human levels of patience. During every consultation he has been ever patient, carefully listened to all my questions and concerns then taken the time to explain everything to me and provided constant reassurance. He has been accessible at all times even over weekends and the support has been broad. He looks after you as if you are family and despite having a 90 minute journey to see him at times as we wanted the fastest appointment we couldn’t ask for anything more. Our family see him as an angel not just a doctor for what he has done for us and would recommend him in less than a blink of a eye.

View More Reviews
logo

Written by a patient at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 30th September 2019

I first met Naren Basu in 2016 at the Queen Elizabeth Women’s Hospital. I had been diagnosed with breast cancer. He is an exceptionally skilled man at putting people at their ease and explaining everything with great patience and candour. He is a consummate professional and really knows his stuff, especially relating to breast cancer. He is very clever, witty, and a super surgeon. He carried out a reduction to both my breasts, removing the tumours at the same time. I was fortunate indeed to have my surgery via the NHS, it would have been very expensive as a private patient but worth every penny. I felt like a million dollars after my operation. I think he is a fabulous man and so skilled on so many levels and outstanding in human kindness.

View More Reviews
logo

Written by a carer at Spire Little Aston Hospital, 12th June 2019

Nine days before I was due to go on an extended holiday I discovered problems in both breasts. I was lucky enough to get an appointment 3 days before travel. Mr Basu even called me on the day of the appointment to ask me to come in earlier to ensure they had time to undergo all of the tests that evening. Anyone who has had these problems will know how overwhelming it is but Mr Basu took his time to speak to me and explained all of the procedures/tests that would be carried out that evening and possible outcomes. I did have a small procedure and again everything was explained fully and felt quite safe in his hands. The follow up appointments were just as thorough and Mr Basu made sure I understood all that we discussed. If I ever found myself in this position again Mr Basu would be my first port of call.

View More Reviews
logo

Written by a carer at Spire Little Aston Hospital, 11th May 2020

I was diagnosed with HER2 positive breast cancer November 8th 2019 , I was then appointed Dr Henderson almost immediately to discuss my treatment plan and way forward, I must say Dr Henderson was absolutely fantastic, he has a real calming nature and really put myself and my husband at ease , plotting my treatment course from day 1 gave us a massive line of sight to work to and in with combination of the nurses at little Aston facing the biggest fight of my life became easier & easier as the week progressed, I owe Dr Henderson my life and can’t thank him enough, he’s worth is weight in gold

View More Reviews
logo

Written by a patient at Good Hope Hospital, 27th November 2019

I am currently under the care of Dr Daniel Henderson at Good Hope Hospital, and I couldn’t ask for better. He listens, and speaks to you in laymans terms so you understand what is going on now and in the future. He talks to you and not at you, and has a very calm and soothing manner. If you are lucky enough to be referred to him, rest assured that you are in good hands, as he gets things actioned quickly.

View More Reviews
logo

Written by a patient at BMI The Priory Hospital, 17th August 2020

Mr Henderson was kind and understanding and I felt completely at ease with him. He was well informed of my condition and explained his treatment plan to me fully. He has been very attentive in answering emails from me and I really cannot recommend him highly enough. I feel very fortunate to have been in his care.

View More Reviews
View More Reviews

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Priory Hospital Edgbaston

Priory Road, Edgbaston, B5 7UG

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Spire Parkway Solihull

1 Damson Parkway, Solihull, B91 2PP

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Spire Little Aston

Little Aston Hall Drive, Sutton Coldfield, B74 3UP

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The Harborne Hospital

Mindelsohn Way, Birmingham, B15 2FQ

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