November 08, 2019 | Breast Augmentation with Fat Injections
4 Min Read
In the wake of the recent recall of Allergan™ implants, some women are doubting their desire for breast augmentation or worrying about the implants they already have.
Woman showcasing her breasts after breast augmentation.
Breast implants are entirely safe and reliable, and complications are rare.
That said, as with any surgical procedure and any use of a human-made device (like an implant), complications can develop.
Women who are concerned about safety or do not wish to use implants to increase their breast size have several other enhancement options.
What Complications Can Implants Present?
Implants are made of silicone shells that are filled with either silicone gel or saline.
These “pouches” increase the size and shape of the bust through incisions made along the breast crease (inframammary fold incision), around the areola (periareolar incision), or in the armpit (axillary incision).
Most women do not experience problems with their implants, but complications are possible.
Need for Revision Surgery
Breast revision or implant replacement is performed when women experience a physical complication with one or both of the implants, such as implant rupture, capsular contracture, or implant displacement.
This procedure involves the removal and replacement of the damaged implant/s.
Breast Implant-associated Anaplastic Large-cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL)
BIA-ALCL is at the heart of the newest debate about the safety of breast implants and is the reason for the recent recall of Allergan™ textured implants.
There are several types of implants. These vary in filling material, size, shape, and texture. While many implants have a smooth surface, others have a rough texture.
The textures are designed to keep an implant (either round or anatomically shaped) in place.
Essentially, the rough texture acts as a grip.
These textured implants have recently been linked to BIA-ALCL, a rare cancer of the lymphatic system that develops in the scar tissue around the implant.
This cancer is very treatable, and so far, only found with textured implants.
Breast Implant Illness
While breast implant illness is not an actual medical diagnosis, some women are concerned that their implants are causing a host of autoimmune concerns.
Some of the side effects include fatigue, brain fog, memory loss, joint pain, muscle weakness, rashes, headaches, and hair loss.
As of now, there is no medical link between these symptoms and breast implants.
Rejection of the Implant
While the rejection of the implant is extremely rare, it is not unheard of. It is a term used when there is an infection or fast capsular contracture. No one can predict the way that your body will accept or adjust to a foreign object being placed in the body.
Invasive surgery—as is needed to place the implant—can also put you at risk for infection.
Breast Augmentation Without Implants
Non-surgical breast enhancement or breast augmentation without implants is performed in women who do not want to undergo traditional breast augmentation.
Breast Augmentation With Fat Grafting
Fat injections are used as an alternative to breast implants.
Fat grafting is an all-natural form of augmentation that uses fat harvested from your body—usually from the abdomen, hips, thighs, or buttocks—to increase the size of the breasts.
Fat grafting has a dual benefit of increasing the bust while decreasing another area of the body, which may have displeasing excess fat.
Breast augmentation with fat injections is best-suited for patients looking for subtle enlargement. This technique cannot match the size of implants, but it will have a softer and more natural feel.
Before and after image showing results of a breast augmentation using fat injections in El Paso, Texas.
Non-surgical Breast Enhancement
Non-surgical breast enhancement increases breast fullness without invasive surgery. This technique comes without incisions, scarring, or downtime.
Sculptra® Aesthetic or PRP injections are used for this increase.
Sculptra® Aesthetic is a long-lasting filler that stimulates collagen production in the breast tissue. This increase enhances breast fullness.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a by-product of the blood that is created when a centrifuge separates the platelets from the red blood cells. These platelets contain growth factors that restore fullness.
Like fat injections, PRP is taken from your blood and provides an organic way to enlarge the breasts.
Which Option Is Best for You?
There are pros and cons to each type of breast augmentation.
While non-implant augmentation comes without the possibility of implant complications or implant-associated complications, they cannot augment or enhance the breasts to the same capacity that implants can.
Implants will still be recommended for patients who are looking for substantial enlargement of the breasts.
Implants are safe, and they provide natural-looking breast enhancement.
Find Out More
For more information on your selection of breast augmentation techniques, contact Dr. Agullo by calling (915) 590-7900 or by filling out our online contact form.
Dr. Agullo offers breast implants, fat injections, and non-surgical breast enhancement for patients in El Paso, Texas.
