When it comes to breast augmentations and butt lifts, we usually think it’s an either-or choice between implants or fat. Implants guarantee shape and size, but some patients dislike the idea of a foreign object in their body. Fat transfer is natural, but size and shape can change post-surgery. Enter auto augmentation, or “auto aug,” which uses your own tissue for volume and lift, recycling tissue that would otherwise be discarded. Think of it as taking the “extra” your surgeon would typically throw away and stuffing it back into your body like a hot pocket.
Featured Experts
- Dr. Anthony Wilson is a board-certified plastic surgeon based in Portsmouth, NH
- Dr. Sean Arredondo is a board-eligible plastic surgeon based in Austin, TX
What Is Auto Augmentation?
During a recent plastic surgery conference, Austin, TX plastic surgeon Sean Arredondo, MD shared that he’s been doing a lot of auto augmentation, mainly because many of his patients are on the other side of their weight-loss journey and skin sagging is a major problem. “We’ve seen a significant increase in patients interested in this technique, especially those who have lost a lot of weight and want to use their own tissue for a more natural enhancement,” he explains. This growing interest is also fueled by the rise of regenerative medicine, which appeals to many patients looking for more natural solutions.
Auto augmentation isn’t new though. After a mastectomy, many reconstructive surgeons use autologous tissue—usually from the abdomen, back or thighs—to reconstruct the breast. This is often referred to as a flap procedure, such as the DIEP (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator) or TRAM (Transverse Rectus Abdominis Muscle) flap.
The Technique
“Instead of discarding tissue during a body lift, we can use it to contour the breasts and buttocks,” Dr. Arredondo shared. For post weight-loss patients, surgeons may use excess tissue from areas such as the butt or sides, which are areas that often sag after a significant weight loss. The tissue is then reshaped and repositioned to enhance ares like the butt or breasts. “We reshape the tissue from those areas and use it to enhance volume and contour. This method, often called a propeller flap or rotational flap technique, allows us to create a more defined shape by rotating and securing the tissue in place,” he explained.
Portsmouth, NH plastic surgeon Anthony Wilson, MD says he frequently does an auto aug on his patients and it’s always during a breast lift. He doesn’t do the buttocks, but for breast lifts it’s almost always part of his technique. “We use a keyhole incision technique and take the bottom part of the keyhole and tuck it up towards the top of the breast. This helps create upper pole fullness without implants,” he explains. This not only gives a fuller look but also helps provide structural support. “By taking tissue and tucking it up you’re actually leaving behind some residual tissue that’s not skin. This provides a much longer-lasting lift and uses the patient’s own tissue to give a more attractive shape. It’s like a push-up bra effect but your own tissue is doing the work.”
The Benefits
One reason auto augmentation is gaining popularity is its ability to enhance without using synthetic materials or risking fat embolism like with a Brazilian Butt Lift. “It also eliminates other risks associated with implants, such as capsular contracture” adds Dr. Wilson.
Another benefit is that the tissue stands a great chance of keeping its volume. “The tissue uses remains connected to its blood supply. This allows the transferred tissue to survive and integrate better into its new location,” says Dr. Arredondo. “When tissue has its blood supply intact, it tends to have better long-term outcomes in terms of volume retention.”
Will We See More in the Future?
With advancements in surgical techniques and a growing emphasis on regenerative medicine, auto augmentation stands out as a novel solution for individuals who have experienced significant weight loss or suffer from sagging. As aesthetic surgery continues to evolve, we will likely see more innovative procedures like auto augmentation becoming more accessible and refined, giving us new possibilities for enhancing natural body contours.
