New Cosmetic Surgery

A while back there were detailed reports in the media about ex-soccer player and trainer Lothar Matthäus’ girlfriend’s silicone breast augmentation. Reports on silicone breast augmentations in famous people delude patients into thinking that silicone is the most up-to-date and ideal breast augmentation method, although thanks to state-of-the-art technology and stem cell research findings, silicone implants are no longer necessary in most cases!

Several clinical studies in Japan and the USA have since clearly demonstrated that stem cell-enriched autologous fat is an ideal, durable, and non-hazardous filler material, not only for post-operative breast reconstruction but also for cosmetic breast augmentation!

Augmentations by as much as 1 to 2 cup sizes are possible with breast augmentation with stem cell-enriched autologous fat – without scalpels, ugly scars, and general anesthesia. In stem cell-assisted breast augmentation, autologous fat is gently liposuctioned with microcannulas from the buttocks, belly, or hips, enriched with autologous stem cells, and then injected in the breasts. The punctures from the injections are comparable to those for taking blood and they heal without forming scars. The result is permanent. Stem cell-augmented breasts feel and look totally natural in any position because the augmentation consists of autologous, living cells, and no foreign objects capable of provoking rejections or slipping and bouncing up and down like soccer balls as you move are implanted in your body.

Heinrich, MD

The media recently reported that vocalist Amy Winehouse suffered a breast implant rupture. A while ago she had had her breasts augmented with implants on a whim, and generated a great deal of media attention. Apparently she required another operation to replace the defective implant! But thanks to breast augmentation with autologous stem cells, “implant ruptures” and the “implant replacements” every few years associated with silicone implants are a thing of the past: Along with a natural appearance, what distinguishes breasts augmented with autologous stem cells is that they are “maintenance free”!

Along with the relatively rare rupture of a silicone implant, there are numerous other, much more common negative effects of artificial breast implants: Many women with silicone implants complain of pain while swimming or showering with cold water for years. So-called capsular fibrosis impairs the visual result and cause problems. With silicone breast augmentation, after a few years the breast stretches because of the implant and begins to sag, making an implant replacement necessary. This usually involves emplacement of larger implants in order to make the breast appear firmer. Many cases ultimately require a surgical breast tightening. Hence many stars in recent years have simply had their implants removed. But how can the volume be restored?

With autologous stem cells! Breast augmentation with stem cell-enriched autologous fat is a prime example of the substitution of minimally invasive surgical interventions under local anesthesia for plastic surgery. In early 2007, we used this revolutionary method in my Clinic DDr. Heinrich in Vienna for the first time in Europe. In this procedure, autologous fat is first extracted from the patient’s body using microcannular liposuction. Next this fat is enriched with autologous stem cells in a laboratory process and injected into the breast using fine hypodermic needles. Living, autologous tissue develops from the stem cells. Breasts thus augmented look as well as feel completely “genuine” in any position. They age completely naturally with the body.

Because autologous stem cells exert a local rejuvenating effect, another area of application in cosmetic medicine is the scalpel-free facelift, in which stems cell are injected in the face and neck region. The result is a long-lasting, natural and up to 15 years younger looking face. Another important area of application for stem cells looming on the horizon is the treatment of hair loss, which could soon make hair transplants superfluous.

Thanks to cosmetic interventions with stem cells, in many cases silicone, scalpels, and liftings are no longer necessary in breast and facial surgery. I believe that cosmetic medicine already has the means at hand to treat many physical beauty problems successfully, sustainably, and naturally with stem cell-enriched autologous fat.

Heinrich, MD