The harvested fat is processed in some way to eliminate tumescent fluid, blood, cell fragments, and free oil (from disrupted adipocytes). By eliminating these contaminants, processing aims to retain viable adipocytes in a concentrated form, which is believed to enhance graft take.

The most commonly performed fat processing methods are:

  • Filtration: This technique uses a platform for concentrating fat cells and separating them from fluids, oil, and debris.
  • Centrifugation: This method uses a centrifuge to separate the fat cells from the other components of the fat graft.
  • Sedimentation (decantation): This method allows the fat cells to settle to the bottom of a container, while the other components float to the top.

Once the fat has been processed, it is ready to be transferred to the breasts. The surgeon will use a needle or cannula to inject the fat into the breast tissue. The number of injections and the amount of fat injected will vary depending on the patient’s individual needs.

The fat cells that are successfully transferred to the breasts will remain there for life. However, not all of the fat cells will survive the transfer process. The amount of fat that survives will depend on a number of factors, including the patient’s health, the quality of the fat, and the technique used to transfer the fat.

Overall, the processing of harvested fat before it is transferred to the breasts is an important step in ensuring that the fat cells have the best chance of survival. The different processing methods available have different advantages and disadvantages, so the surgeon will choose the best method for each individual patient.

Sources

info

  1. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC446

Before the harvested fat is transferred to the breasts during a fat transfer procedure, it undergoes a process of purification and preparation to ensure optimal results and enhance the fat survival rate. The steps involved in preparing the fat for transfer typically include:

  1. Liposuction: During the first stage of the procedure, the plastic surgeon performs liposuction to harvest the fat from the donor areas of the body. Liposuction involves using a thin cannula (a small, hollow tube) to suction out the excess fat from the targeted areas, such as the abdomen, thighs, hips, or flanks.
  2. Processing and Purification: Once the fat is removed through liposuction, it is carefully processed and purified. This step involves separating the fat cells from other substances, such as blood, oil, and anesthesia fluid, that were also suctioned during liposuction. Proper purification helps ensure that only healthy and viable fat cells are used for the transfer.
  3. Centrifugation: One common method of fat purification is centrifugation. The harvested fat is placed in a centrifuge, a machine that spins the fat at high speeds. This process separates the fat cells from the other fluids and debris.
  4. Fat Injection: After purification, the purified fat is loaded into syringes for injection into the breasts. The plastic surgeon will carefully inject the fat into multiple layers of breast tissue to achieve the desired augmentation and create a natural-looking result.
  5. Layering and Sculpting: The plastic surgeon will strategically layer and sculpt the injected fat to achieve a symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing breast shape.

It’s important to note that not all the transferred fat survives in its new location. Some of the fat cells may be reabsorbed by the body over time. To compensate for this, the surgeon may overfill the breasts slightly during the initial transfer, knowing that a portion of the fat will be naturally absorbed.

The fat transfer procedure is a highly specialized technique, and the success of the procedure depends on the expertise and experience of the plastic surgeon. A skilled surgeon will take great care in harvesting, processing, and injecting the fat to achieve the best possible results and ensure the highest fat survival rate for a successful breast fat transfer.