Angelina Jolie’s Breast Reconstruction: Autologous Fat and Stem Cells Instead of Silicon?

Angelina Jolie, known from Tomb Raider and numerous other Hollywood films, has managed to make a name for herself worldwide with her acting and devotion to humanitarian projects. Her iron will, her numerous appearances, and her large family, who always stands behind her, make this sex symbol the embodiment of a power woman. However, what has particularly interested Angelina’s fans the most is how this beauty is faring after her extensive breast operation.

Due to a hereditary predisposition – she carries the BRCA1 “breast cancer gene” – Angelina Jolie had the glandular tissue in her breasts removed as a preventative measure. However, this operation, as is also the case when removing a tumor from the breast, resulted in a significant loss of volume. Changes in shape and lost volume resulting from surgeries can only be corrected by reconstructing the affected breast.

According to experience, patients often wish to restore their natural breast form after they have made a good recovery from the breast operation. In so doing, neither Angelina Jolie nor other patients have to deal with silicone implants, which normally have to be replaced every 5 to 10 years – always linked with new pains, scars, and the risk of general anesthesia.

The body’s own fat is increasingly becoming more important as an alternative to conventional breast reconstruction with silicone or complex plastic flap surgeries. In contrast to silicone, fatty tissue is a natural filler, which feels “real” and looks natural in any position. This was also the reason why US actress Suzanne Somers had her breast reconstructed with stem cell-enriched autologous fat in 2012 after a tumor was removed. Thus, breast reconstruction with autologous fat would also be a promising solution for Angelina.

Depending on the pre-operative condition, breast reconstructions using autologous fat sometimes require multiple surgeries until the desired form has been restored. Even an expansion of the affected breast using a mechanical suction bra (Brava method) may be recommended before and/or after surgeries. To that end, a suction bra is to be worn at night for many weeks prior to the surgeries. The mechanical suction expands the breast tissue so the breast can absorb more autologous fat. This allows for an end result to be achieved with very few surgeries.

Breast reconstruction with autologous fat is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia, and lasts around 3 to 4 hours per surgery. The required fat is extracted using microcannular liposuction. During this form of liposuction called liposculpture,fat is extracted solely via manual labor in a manner which minimizes tissue damage. The extracted autologous fat is then injected into the breast using fine needles either untreated or after it has been enriched with the body’s own stem cells.

The breast which was reconstructed using autologous fat and stem cells consists entirely of the body’s own living tissue. Since all steps are performed under local anesthesia, the patient is fully mobile after the surgery; an inpatient stay is not necessary. Aftercare is simple. The small punctures from the injection needles heal just like during blood collection, usually within a short period of time without visible scars.

With her new female contours, Angelina Jolie can definitely solve adventurous riddles in a new Tomb Raider film, but the Hollywood star has opted to accept roles in the fairy tale film Maleficent and the war adventure Unbroken, films that we can likewise be excited about.

DDr. Heinrich, MD

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