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Patients & Visitors

Breast Unit

Lipomodelling (Lipofilling)


Mr Richard Sutton in Theatre
On this page:

Introduction What should I expect in the post-operative period? Are there any side effects? Is lipomodelling safe after breast cancer?

Introduction

Lipomodelling is normally performed under a general anaesthetic and as a day case procedure. Fat is taken from the belly, flank or outer thigh using a syringe, and the fat is usually washed to remove blood and dead cells before being injected into the breast.

Fat cells are harvested and injected into the breast via a series of very small incisions placed discretely in the skin, along skin creases wherever possible. These incisions will often have a single non-absorbable suture placed to close them after the procedure and a dressing, and the sutures removed in the outpatient clinic. You will be given a single dose of antibiotic around the time of the procedure.

It is common for some of the fat injected to be reabsorbed by the body and usually between two and four sessions are needed to achieve the desired effect by this technique. The number of treatments will also be dependent upon the reason for lipomodelling being carried out, and will be discussed specifically with you by your surgeon.

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What should I expect in the post-operative period?

It is advisable to wear a snug girdle / long legged support pants after lipomodelling to help with swelling and contouring at donor sites and a soft support bra which does not place pressure over the lipomodelled breast or injection sites.

You should not undertake any strenuous activity or exercise in the initial post-op period due to discomfort and to help wound healing (2 weeks). Although the procedure may leave you with some localised discomfort it is should not leave you feeling very ill or unwell.

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Are there any side effects?

There are a number of recognised complications related to this technique and include:

Breast injection site complications:

  • Bruising and swelling, haematoma formation
  • Altered sensation / numbness
  • Infection
  • Fat necrosis, oil cyst formation, calcifications (seen on surveillance mammograms)
  • Lumpy or red (Hypertrophic) scarring at injection sites
  • Breast contour irregularities
  • Under-correction or over-correction of deformity
  • Damage to underlying structures e.g. breast implants, pneumothorax
  • Intravascular injection with fat embolism

Donor site complications:

  • Bruising and swelling, haematoma formation
  • Altered sensation / numbness
  • Infection
  • Fat necrosis, oil cyst formation, calcifications
  • Hypertrophic scarring
  • Contour irregularities

These will be looked for and treated if present during your follow-up in the outpatient clinic.

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Is lipomodelling safe after breast cancer?

Some doctors have been concerned that this technique may not be safe after treatment for breast cancer, but the published evidence (supported by guidance from NICE) have found no evidence that lipomodelling is unsafe or increases the chance of the cancer returning after treatment for breast cancer.

We will monitor the results for patients undergoing this technique and review these data within our breast cancer MDT meetings so that our patients' outcomes are open and transparent to all members treating patients for breast cancer at the RUH.

Your outpatient and imaging (mammogram) reviews will be up to date and there should be no evidence of recurrent cancer before undertaking this treatment.

Also see

Breast Cancer Care
Link opens in new window

Breast Cancer Care: Breast Reconstruction Link opens in new window

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General Hospital Information



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