[Column] Stem cell breast fat grafting can further increase firmness and survival rate

According to statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS 2020 Statistics by google search), about 193,000 breast augmentation procedures were performed in the United States during 2020, and about 36,000 implant removal procedures. This is the fifth highest figure, following nose surgery and eye surgery. In Korea, official statistics are not compiled, but the number of breast surgeries continues to rise, driven by increased average height from a westernized diet and by a shift in perception favoring a curvier figure over a thin one.The size of the breast is not necessarily proportional to how much a person has grown. Breast size is determined by a combination of factors such as diet, lifestyle habits and hormones, and genetic factors weigh heavily among them. However, Asians have a smaller rib cage and thinner skin than Westerners, so in breast augmentation there is a tendency to prioritize a natural size and feel suited to the body type.Women whose breast volume and firmness have declined through rapid weight loss from dieting, pregnancy and childbirth often choose breast fat grafting over implant-based breast augmentation.Breast fat grafting is surgery in which fat harvested from the patient's own abdomen, thighs, buttocks and so on is grafted into areas lacking volume. Because it uses the patient's own living tissue, rejection is rare, and it has the advantage of fewer side effects than inserting an artificial implant. Partial grafting suited to each person's condition is also possible, such as for deflation of the upper breast only or for breast ptosis where the breast sags downward.The proportion of grafted fat that settles in properly and lasts for a long time is called the survival rate, and the higher the survival rate, the longer the breast volume is maintained. The survival rate can vary depending on the quality of the grafted fat and the technique for grafting an appropriate amount densely. Fat cells are generally damaged when fat is harvested, and minimizing this is important for raising the survival rate. In addition, in the past the harvested fat was grafted as it was, so the survival rate was very low. But with the advance of modern medical technology, the survival rate can now be raised through micro-grafting technique, which separates out only the pure fat and grafts it densely in the smallest units. This helps the grafted fat cells connect well with new blood vessels and allows smooth supply of blood and nutrients, contributing to a higher survival rate.Recently there is also stem cell breast fat grafting, which maximizes the survival rate using stem cells. Stem cells, which can differentiate into various organs of our body and promote cell regeneration, exist in the largest quantity in fat. Stem cell fat grafting means processing the stem cells extracted from the fat harvested for grafting and grafting them together with it. Adipose-derived stem cells help generate new blood vessels around the grafted fat cells, making the supply of oxygen and nutrients smoother. They also secrete growth factors, which helps with the effect of increasing breast firmness.As perceptions of and demand for breast surgery have grown, medical technology has developed alongside and the range of choices has widened. But incorrect information is also increasing, so careful verification before surgery is essential.Breast surgery is a demanding, precise procedure that handles living tissue. Advances in medical technology have produced many good medical devices, but in the end the result of fat grafting can differ depending on the operating surgeon's expertise and skill. Working with a specialist who has extensive experience and know-how not only in fat grafting but also in liposuction and the stem cell field, assessing your condition appropriately and building a detailed plan, can help raise satisfaction,

Written by : Dr. Yoosuk Chung, TheLINE Plastic Surgery Source : Jeonmin Ilbo (http://www.jeonmin.co.kr)