HYBRID BREAST AUGMENTATION

Dr Chia Hui Ling
A recent concept in breast enhancement is hybrid breast augmentation. Also known as composite breast augmentation, this surgery combines the use of breast implant and fat grafting for breast augmentation. 

The benefits of hybrid breast augmentation include:
  • Narrowing the cleavage in patients with widely separated breast that cannot be effectively approximated with implant augmentation alone
  • For thin patients, whom with breast implant placement alone, will give a less natural results with respect to feel, movement and visible implant edges 
  • Correcting asymmetries of the breast or chest, and defects of the breasts, such as previous scars

The details of each procedure can be found here:


TREATMENT

  • Preparing for Surgery

    Do inform your plastic surgeon of previous breast conditions and surgeries, any medical conditions and medications. Your surgeon may send you for breast screening if you are approaching or more than 40 years old. Avoid blood-thinning medications, anti-inflammatory drugs or herbal supplementations as they can increase the risk of excessive bleeding during surgery, unless indicated by your doctor.

  • Surgery

    In hybrid breast augmentation, fat grafting is commonly performed after the placement of breast implants. Using liposuction, fat is aspirated from other parts of the body, commonly the tummy or thighs.  The fat harvest is processed using the surgeon’s method of preference, such as the Coleman’s technique, Lipokit or Puregraft. The prepared fat is injected into the breasts via small puncture wounds.

  • Post-Surgery Care

    There will be swelling and bruising and most of this will resolve in .1 to 2 weeks. Your surgeon may advise against upper body exercises and massage for a few weeks. With the resorption of fat over time, the size of the breasts after fat transfer will stabilise around 3 months.

COMPLICATIONS AND MANAGEMENT

Risks of fat transfer breast augmentation include:
  • Anaesthetic risks
  • Breast cyst and lumpiness
  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Altered sensation
  • Asymmetrical results
  • Risks of liposuction
  • Implant leak
  • Capsular contracture (hardening)
  • Unsatisfactory implant position and size
  • Poor scarring
  • BIA-ALCL