When it comes to breast augmentations and buttock lifts, we usually think of it as 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 the size and shape can change after surgery. Enter auto augment, 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 “extras” that your surgeon would normally throw away and putting them back into your body like a warm 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 does a lot of auto augmentation, mainly because many of his patients are on the other side of their weight loss journey and the relaxation of skin is important. problem. “We have 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.
However, auto-raising is not new. 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 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,” said Dr. Arredondo. For post-weight loss patients, surgeons can use excess tissue from areas such as the buttocks or flanks, which are areas that often sag after significant weight loss. The tissue is then reshaped and repositioned to enhance areas such as the buttocks or breasts. “We remodel tissue from these areas and use it to enhance volume and contour. This method, often called the propeller flap or rotary flap technique, allows us to create a more defined shape by rotating and fixing the web in place,” he explained.
Portsmouth, NH plastic surgeon Anthony Wilson, MD says he frequently performs self-augmentation on his patients, and it’s always during a breast lift. He doesn’t do the glutes, but a breast lift is almost always part of his technique. “We use a keyhole incision technique and take the bottom of the keyhole and wrap it around 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 a tissue and picking it up, you’re actually leaving behind some residual tissue that isn’t skin. This provides a much longer 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 does the work.”
The benefits
One reason auto augmentation is gaining popularity is its ability to enhance without the use of synthetic materials or the risk of fat embolism as with a Brazilian Butt Lift. “It also eliminates other risks associated with implants, such as capsular contracture,” adds Dr. Wilson.
Another advantage is that the tissue has a high chance of maintaining its volume. “The tissue it uses remains connected to the blood supply. This allows the transplanted tissue to survive and integrate better in its new location,” says Dr. Arredondo. “When tissue has an intact blood supply, it tends to have better long-term outcomes in terms of volume retention.”
Will we see more in the future?
With advances in surgical techniques and an increasing emphasis on regenerative medicine, auto augmentation stands out as a new solution for people who have experienced significant weight loss or suffer from sagging. As cosmetic surgery continues to evolve, we will likely see more innovative procedures, such as auto augmentation, become more accessible and sophisticated, giving us new possibilities for improving the body’s natural contours.