Autologous fat transfer — also called lipofilling or lipomodelling — harvests your own fat by liposuction and reinjects it into the breast to correct deformities or restore volume after cancer treatment.
Breast fat grafting uses only your own tissue — no foreign material. Fat is harvested by liposuction, centrifuged to isolate viable fat cells, then reinjected as micro-droplets through multiple passes to maximise graft take.
The technique is well-established in breast reconstructive surgery and recognised as highly effective by the international scientific community. It is endorsed by the French Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (SOF.CPRE).
Fat is harvested atraumatically through small incisions hidden in natural skin folds, using a fine aspiration cannula. The harvested fat is then centrifuged to separate intact, viable fat cells from non-graftable elements (serosities, oil). The fat is then reinjected in micro-droplets across multiple independent tissue planes, creating a three-dimensional network that maximises contact between the grafted cells and the recipient tissue.
The grafted fat is a living graft: fat cells that become revascularised will survive permanently. Graft take is estimated at 60 to 70%, which means a slight overcorrection is performed initially to account for partial resorption.
Important: Fat grafting cannot cause breast cancer. However, it will not prevent cancer from developing if it was going to occur. Regular breast surveillance is maintained after every procedure.
Fat grafting addresses two distinct situations, both related to breast cancer treatment: correcting sequelae after breast-conserving surgery, or reconstructing / improving the breast after total mastectomy.
The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia, as a day-case — no overnight stay — at the Hartmann Clinic in Neuilly-sur-Seine. It consists of two stages: fat harvesting by liposuction, then reinjection into the breast.
A reference breast imaging assessment is systematically performed before the procedure by a radiologist specialising in breast imaging. It includes mammography, ultrasound and MRI if needed. The same radiologist will perform the 1-year follow-up imaging, repeated at 2 and 3 years.
Fat grafting is not performed if the disease is active or if radiological images are difficult to interpret. Each case is discussed individually.
Complete smoking cessation is required at least 1 month before the procedure — smoking significantly increases the risk of complications.
No aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs in the 15 days before the procedure.
General anaesthesia. Day-case procedure — no overnight stay. Discharge on the same day.
40 minutes to 1h15 depending on the volume to be treated and the number of donor sites.
Covered by French Health Insurance (Assurance Maladie) in the context of breast cancer sequelae and breast reconstruction. Dr Zeitoun practises in secteur 2 — additional fees apply. A detailed quote is provided before any procedure.
1 to 6 sessions, sometimes more, spaced 3 to 4 months apart. There is no limit to the number of sessions.
Recovery is generally straightforward. Most of the discomfort comes from the liposuction donor sites, not from the breast injections.
Initial results become visible at 1 month. The definitive result — once swelling has resolved and fat cells have stabilised — is assessed at 3 to 6 months.
Long-term, positive effects on irradiated skin quality are notable: improved suppleness, reduction of brown discolouration, partial reduction of telangiectasias.
Body contour is also improved by liposuction of the donor sites (hips, abdomen, thighs).
Result stability depends on weight stability. The grafted fat is living tissue and will change with your weight: significant weight loss may reduce the volume gained.
The oncological safety of fat grafting after breast cancer has been the subject of extensive research. The current scientific consensus is clear and reassuring.
Fat grafting will not prevent cancer from developing if one were going to occur. Regular breast surveillance is therefore maintained with the same rigour after the procedure.
Calcifications that may appear after fat grafting are different from those seen in breast cancers and do not cause diagnostic difficulties for a radiologist experienced in breast imaging.
A strict imaging assessment (mammography, ultrasound, MRI if needed) is performed before the procedure by a specialist breast radiologist. The same radiologist will carry out the follow-up at 1, 2 and 3 years. Fat grafting is not performed when the disease is active.
After breast-conserving treatment, fat grafting is typically performed at least two years after the end of radiotherapy. After mastectomy, the delay is often shorter — it depends on the type of initial cancer and is assessed individually during consultation.
These three terms describe the same technique: autologous fat transfer. Lipofilling and lipomodelling are commonly used in Europe. Fat grafting or fat transfer are the usual English-language terms. All refer to exactly the same surgical procedure.
Same technique, different namesThe fat that takes (60–70% of what is injected) is living and permanent: revascularised fat cells survive as long as the surrounding tissue. The technique is therefore definitive for the fraction that has taken.
However, the result is not entirely stable over time: it changes with your weight. Significant weight loss may reduce the volume gained; weight gain may increase breast volume. Maintaining a stable weight is therefore recommended.
Permanent for the fraction taken Weight stability recommendedYes, in both main indications — sequelae after breast-conserving treatment and breast reconstruction after mastectomy — the procedure is covered by the French Health Insurance (Assurance Maladie) on the basis of the standard rate, under the long-term illness scheme (ALD).
Dr Zeitoun practises in secteur 2 (private sector) with fees above the standard rate, including for patients covered by the ALD scheme. A detailed, transparent quote is provided before any procedure. Your complementary health insurance may cover part of the additional fees.
French Health Insurance (ALD) Additional fees — systematic quote providedThe available fat capital is assessed during the consultation. If the volume available is insufficient to achieve the desired result in a single session, multiple sessions spaced 3 to 4 months apart can add volumes progressively.
For large volumes to reconstruct — particularly after mastectomy in very slim patients — fat grafting alone may be insufficient, and a combination with another reconstruction technique (implant, DIEP flap) is then discussed.
Fat capital assessed in consultation Multiple sessions possible if neededYes. Breast imaging surveillance is maintained after fat grafting with the same rigour as before. A reference imaging assessment is performed 1 year after the procedure, ideally by the same radiologist who carried out the pre-operative assessment, to enable reliable comparison.
Calcifications that may appear after fat grafting are different from those seen in breast cancers and do not cause diagnostic problems for an experienced breast radiologist.
Breast surveillance maintained Reference imaging at 1 yearReturn to sedentary work is possible after 1 to 2 weeks. For physical work, allow 2 to 3 additional weeks. Driving is possible once pain allows.
Light physical activity (walking) is encouraged early. Sports involving the donor sites (core work, swimming) and the injected areas should be avoided for 6 to 8 weeks. Return to all activities is confirmed at the post-operative check-up.
Sedentary work: 1–2 weeks Sport: 6–8 weeks depending on the areasWhether you are dealing with sequelae after breast-conserving treatment or looking to improve your reconstruction — a consultation will determine the options best suited to your case. Appointments available within one week.
Dr Zeitoun practises in the French private sector (secteur 2 non OPTAM) with fees above the standard Sécurité Sociale rate. The standard rate is reimbursed by French Health Insurance — with enhanced coverage for cancer patients (ALD) — but does not cover additional fees. Your complementary health insurance may cover part or all of these additional fees depending on your policy.