Breast enlargement without implants: fat grafts / liposelection

Dr. Sutton Graham continues the best demonstrated techniques for breast enlargement (breast implant augmentation), and regularly updates his knowledge of proposed new techniques. Several recent media reports reference using fat grafts (fat transfer or liposelection) to enhance one's body contour (buttocks, breasts, cheeks, etc.). It is even showing up on Facebook. CBS News: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/22/health/webmd/main4539000.shtml?tag=contentMain;contentBody Detroit News:
http://www.detnews.com/article/20091008/LIFESTYLE/910080309/1040/lifestyle03/Latest-liposuction-is-safer--less-painful-procedure-to-reshape-body#
Web MD: http://women.webmd.com/news/20081021/are-fat-injections-safe-for-breasts

Fat grafting is not a new idea, and plastic surgeons have used it for decades. The techniques have improved; harvesting and preparing patient's own fat for injection elsewhere in their body. The fat cell material attaches to blood vessels in the recipient area, and becomes a living part of your body, similar to a skin graft healing in place of a skin burn wound. Current techniques mean that a higher proportion of the transferred fat continues living in the new location. Most surgeons plan some degree of over treatment, because they expect more than one-third of the fat will be re-absorbed. Staged treatments are sometimes planned.

In our practice, fat transfer is most common for loss of attractive facial fullness (lips and cheeks), restoring a soft natural fullness. We also use it for buttock enhancement, usually in conjunction with liposuction of excess fat from the surrounding areas. It can be used to correct irregularities from prior injury or trauma (indentation in your normal fat). Dr. Graham is interested in the results of current studies that confirm the safety and effectiveness of fat graft augmentation of the breast. The controversial nature of breast fat transfer is highlighted in some of the article links above.

Saline implant breast augmentation remains a safe, proved method for breast enhancement. For more information call us (864-676-1707) or look at the augmentation of our website: http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/augmentation.html

Eyelid & Facelift Surgery: Attention turns to facial procedures

With summer almost over and fall approaching we notice a trend among our patients' interests. Many now want facial cosmetic procedures, often thinking ahead to looking their best for holidays, social and family gatherings.

Patients who have visited our office in the past and people who review our website have seen our strong emphasis on facial cosmetic surgery. Dr. Graham is well known for beautiful, natural looking facelifts, necklifts, short-scar cheeklifts, eyelid tuck (blepharoplasty), browlifts, laser wrinkle treatments, Botox & the new Dysport, lip enhancement, fillers such as Restylane, Perlane and Juvaderm, and finally natural fat grafts.

In addition to Dr. Graham, we have talented and experienced staff including 2 Skin Care Specialists (licensed estheticians) and our nurse practitioner (advanced-practice nurse). They enhance the results of both pre-op and post-op surgical patients and of women and men who want non-surgical enhancements. After surgery, our patients are provided sessions to reduce swelling and any bruising, improve circulation and increase comfort. If ultrasound or laser technology will speed healing, they can provide those as well.

Often we see a new patient who is wondering about facial cosmetic surgery, but isn't ready yet. We'll provide detailed information to help them with their decision. We have tools that they can use to help without surgery. For example, early eyelid skin wrinkles can improve with some combination of Obagi skin care products, microlaser peel, or Botox & Dysport neurotoxins. As another example, signs of age around the mouth can be improved with laser skin tightening (non-ablative), Juvaderm & Perlane fillers, and possibly selective Botox / Dysport. We also offer permanent make-up (medical tattooing) including lip liner, lip color, and eye liner which enhance those areas further. If you have facial pigmentation problems caused by sun exposure, hormones, etc. we have several treatments that can give you uniform smoother appearing skin.
http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/facelift.html
http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/other-face.html
http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/injectables.html#botox
The majority of our patients come from the million or so residents of Upstate South Carolina (Greenville, Spartanburg GSP, Anderson, Greer, Greenwood, Abbeville, Laurens, Clinton, Union, Gaffney, Inman, Taylors, Easley, Pickens, Clemson, Seneca). Georgia communities including Hartwell, Clayton, and Toccoa are included. North Carolina patients frequently consult us (Asheville, Henderson, Brevard, Highlands, Cashiers, Franklin, Waynesville). We do accommodate patients traveling from out-of- state through GSP airport, local hotels or B&B's, or those staying with family locally.

Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer

It sounds appealing to be able to enlarge a small or disproportionate breast with a patient's own excess fat. Remove it from tummy or thighs and add it to the breast. The surgical term is "autologous fat graft or transfer." The technology exists to provide this procedure. It is very commonly used for contour enhancements in the face, especially the lips. It can correct facial & body contour deformities from various causes. In those areas it is safe, effective, and often partially permanent. Some unique concerns have been raised about fat graft to the breast. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has discouraged its use until studies demonstrate its safety. At the present time, I would suggest avoiding cosmetic breast fat graft unless you are enrolled in a university research study.