Breast implant conversion - exchange/conversion from implant to own fat

Here, the breast implant is removed and the patient's own fat is inserted to fill in the space left after implant removal. The fat provides a natural fullness and feel and is a growing trend among those who don't want implants anymore, but still don't want to go back to a smaller size.

Some people want to remove prostheses because they feel that "the prostheses have done their job, or I'm done with them". Other increasing reasons for implant removal are ALCL (a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma) and silicone disease - so-called BII; Breast Implant Illness, with symptoms such as headaches, muscle and joint pain and autoimmune diseases. In this case, the prostheses can be removed with or without the entire capsule (depending on the thickness of the capsule).

The result is better by doing this at the same time. We use the PAL Micro Air vibration machine for liposuction, which evens out the pressure and the donor site for fat. At the same time, unwanted fat accumulation is corrected by transplanting the fat to the breasts.

For breast augmentation using your own fatty tissue, small tunnels are prepared under the mammary gland or in the pectoral muscle. The fat is removed and processed before it is injected with a cannula into the breast area, either with the so-called Coleman's technique or with a vibration technique with the MicroAire machine that creates more space for fat in the breast and stimulates healing that leads to better hold of the fat and thus better results. The amount of fat needed for the procedure depends on the desired volume of the breasts. The technique leaves very small scars of 1-2mm. When the old implants are removed, the same scars from before are used so that there are no new scars. Sometimes drains are placed for 1-2 days (see info about Breast augmentation with own fat and fig shaping and Hybrid augmentation of Breast with implants and fat).

The outcome of this type of surgical technique depends on the resorption of the injected fat, i.e. the extent to which the body itself absorbs and gets rid of the fat. Usually the fat is well incorporated (healed) in the receiving area. It must be assumed that the body absorbs up to 40% of the amount of fat in the first few months, so you fill up a little more than you need (overcorrect) to compensate for this loss. There is also no guarantee that anyone will absorb more than 40%.
The fat must be treated gently without causing major damage to the fat cells. A centrifugation process that separates the fat with a simple machine is considered to meet these requirements. It is not uncommon for a new injection to be required; in the event of resorption of more than 40%, a new fat injection is offered within the warranty period, provided that there is sufficient fat for injection for any increase in volume or in cases where asymmetry occurs. If the fatty tissue is not sucked away from the body, so that the volume does not become satisfactory, this remains a natural and long-lasting result.

Breastfeeding ability is not normally impaired by the techniques we use. Nipple sensation can sometimes be lost or reduced, but it often returns. We usually close the wound with stitches that dissolve on their own. It may be necessary to insert a drain (tube) that removes blood and fluid from the wound area under the skin. These are usually removed after 1-2 days at the first check-up. The operation does not qualify for sick leave.
Since 2008, Oslo Plastikkirurgi has performed breast augmentation with its own fatty tissue, and we have operated on more than 250 women. We created this service as an alternative to breast augmentation with implants. Oslo Plastic Surgery therefore has a long follow-up time for these patients, who have proved to be very satisfied with their procedure and that the volume of fat in their breasts has remained stable.
Fat grafting from your own body is a well-established clinical method that has been around for many years. Although small fat injections for minor defects in the breasts have been performed for a long time, it is only recently that people have begun to use their own fat to recreate a completely new Breast after cancer or for cosmetic reasons. Breast treatment with fat of varying types and causes is the clinic's main focus area.

The procedure itself has undergone a number of technical changes and developments have led to a more gentle method so that more of the fat survives after transplantation to the relevant area of the body. In addition, the indication for using fat in the breasts has expanded to include small Breast, asymmetrical Breast, tuberous Breast, the Hybrid method (fat & implant) and Conversion (replacing the implant with fat). These indications/desires have partly come about due to the discovery of ALCL and BII (a rare type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma) and silicone disease - BII; Breast Implant Illness.
In addition, more and more people want a more natural shape and texture to their breasts (see Hybrid and ACL BII info).

We are proud to announce that we have presented our successful results in lectures and guest lectures from 2010 to date 2018 in Oslo, Linköping, Karlstad, Helsinki, Berlin, Rome, London, Paris, Qatar, Las Vegas, Tunisia, Gothenburg, Marseilles, Paris, Cairo, Lebanon, Dubai, Manchester (UK), Italy and Copenhagen, EASAPS, IMCAS, SOFCEP and the prestigious Botti Beaitufull Breast Meeting, to name a few.
Dr. Kalaaji has also published an article about this in the medical journal "Kirurgen" and in "Body Language journal" and in his upcoming book on fat grafting and regenerative surgery:
Plastic and Aesthetic Regenerative Surgery and Fat Grafting Clinical Application and Operative Techniques, published by Springer Nature by chief editor of our clinic Dr. Amin Kalaaji, MD, PhD.

Among our patients, the most common reason for choosing this procedure is to enlarge the breasts due to lack of volume, shape and to correct asymmetry (unevenness).
It can also be women who have small and empty Breast breasts after going through pregnancy and breastfeeding or women who have a poorly developed bust.

Many people don't want to put in foreign objects like silicone implants, but want something that feels natural. Some women already have implants, but want to get more fullness in their breasts without having to change to larger implants. Some women, especially those who are slim and have a small layer of fat under the skin, can form small folds in the prostheses that can be seen and felt (so-called rippling). An alternative may then be to transplant fat.

Some people choose to undergo a so-called Hybrid treatment at Breast with both fat and implants. This may involve injecting/transplanting fat to the breasts at the same time as inserting implants, or injecting fat at a later date for those who already have implants to increase volume, correct asymmetry or correct rippling caused by the implant in thin patients or for patients who have prostheses just below the mammary gland.

Other women have breast implants that they now want to remove completely and instead insert fat to replace the missing volume (Conversion treatment = exchanging prostheses for fat grafting). Patients who experience capsule formation and who initially want to remove their prostheses can also benefit from this operation.

In addition, most people who want breast augmentation with their own fatty tissue have an unfortunate fat distribution where they want to correct the amount of fat on, for example, the stomach, outside or inside of the thighs, seat or waist/sides so that it becomes a win-win situation. Another benefit these patients are looking for is to avoid the scars that an surgery implant leaves behind.

Breast augmentation with your own fatty tissue can be done as a combined procedure as in the so-called 'Mommy Makeover' with, for example, a tummy tuck or buttock augmentation with your own fat.