Correcting Common Misconceptions About Stem Cell Breast Augmentation

Recently, medical consumers are advised to exercise caution as there have been instances of misleading patients by promoting procedures as "stem cell breast augmentation" when they are actually nothing more than autologous fat grafting. Even if stem cell surgical techniques are performed, unexpected side effects may occur if facilities and equipment are inadequate or the doctor's skills are lacking. We examine the stem cell breast augmentation currently being discussed with the help of Dr. Shin Dong-jin, Director of SC301 Clinic.​

◇ How is stem cell breast augmentation performed?

– “It is performed to aesthetically compensate for insufficient breast volume. Since the survival rate of engrafted fat in a simple breast fat graft is only 10–30%, stem cell breast surgery involves adding stem cells to raise this rate to over 70%. Stem cells are extracted by spinning fat cells, evenly harvested from areas such as the abdomen, thighs, flanks, and upper arms, using a state-of-the-art centrifuge. The key is to process the cells in a short time within a sterile, sealed space to prevent damage from the high heat or vibrations of centrifugation and to keep them from exposure to air. It is also the doctor's magic to blend the extracted stem cell-derived fat cells in a golden ratio and inject them into various points of the breast fat graft tissue, taking into account the overall curves of the body.”

◇ What is the cause of side effects resulting from performing the procedure excessively under the pretext of stem cell breast surgery?​

These side effects occur primarily because doctors with insufficient equipment and surgical skills perform the procedure recklessly. For instance, injecting an excessive amount of fat to unreasonably increase breast volume can lead to side effects such as calcification and fat necrosis. Furthermore, side effects can frequently occur if specialized equipment is not used, resulting in insufficient stem cells necessary for breast fat grafting, or if the doctor lacks expertise during fat extraction and injection.​

◇ What are the preventive measures?

Fundamentally, it is safer to undergo breast augmentation at a hospital equipped with the necessary equipment and systems. Many clinics and hospitals lack specialized stem cell extraction equipment and rely on standard centrifuges to extract stem cells, emphasizing only low procedure costs; this results in low-quality stem cells, which can increase the risk of side effects. Some even claim to use stem cells but actually perform the procedure using Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) extraction kits instead of the Adipose-Derived Stem Cells (ADSCs) required for breast surgery. Liposuction and stem cell extraction involve relatively complex processes, and it is best to complete this series of steps as quickly as possible. As time is delayed, the engraftment rate decreases and the risk of side effects increases. This is why it is essential to seek out an experienced doctor.

◇ What are the specific solutions if side effects occur?

– Once side effects occur, it is very important to find a doctor with extensive experience in the procedure. The more experienced a doctor is, the faster and more accurate treatment is possible when side effects arise. In contrast, inexperienced doctors may perform unnecessary or excessive treatments, which can actually worsen the side effects and cause distress to the patient.

◇ Can stem cell breast surgery cause or worsen breast cancer?

Breast cancer fundamentally originates in the mammary glands. Since stem cell breast augmentation utilizes fat and is unrelated to the mammary glands, there is no possibility of developing breast cancer. Stem cell breast augmentation does not prevent breast cancer either. For patients who already have breast cancer, post-operative treatment may be inconvenient; therefore, if breast cancer is suspected, it is recommended to undergo a breast cancer screening beforehand and receive surgery.

◇ Finally, what tips would you share with medical consumers regarding stem cell breast augmentation?

– Stem cell breast augmentation is a surgery that involves extracting fat from the patient's own abdomen or thighs and transplanting it. Unless the patient is morbidly obese, it is difficult to extract enough fat from the abdomen or thighs for a second surgery after the initial procedure. Therefore, to ensure good results and avoid regrets, it is essential to undergo the surgery properly at a specialized hospital from the very beginning when deciding on breast augmentation. I must emphasize once again that it is true that once fat is used up, it is difficult to undergo the procedure again for a considerable period.

◇ Wisdom in Choosing a Good Stem Cell Breast Augmentation Clinic

1. Check if it is a specialized hospital equipped with a stem cell-related system.

2. Determine whether the doctor and technician are experienced and skilled in the procedure.

3. Check if pre-operative care and post-procedure care are systematic.

4. Check if there is a record counting the number of cells injected.

5. Check if the cell extraction and procedure times are appropriate and if they are performed simultaneously. (If the intervals between each process are too long or too short, it is a problem.)

6. If the treatment cost is too low despite claiming to use famous equipment, I should be suspicious.