Upper Hutt couple Brendon and Rachel Jacobson. Photo / Supplied
Upper Hutt couple Brendon and Rachel Jacobson. Photo / Supplied
An increasing number of women are opting for breast reconstruction or enlargement surgery that uses fat cells from their own bodies, instead of implants, a plastic surgeon who pioneered the surgery in New Zealand says.
Whangarei-based plastic surgeon David Crabb began offering the surgery - known as large volume fat transfer - in New Zealand about five years ago and has operated on "hundreds" of women at his Whangarei and Warkworth surgeries since, he told the Weekend Herald.
He was aware of at least a couple of other New Zealand surgeons also offering the surgery.
Most patients were those who wanted their implants removed - following fears of potential ruptures or links to cancer - and replaced via the relatively new surgery, and women who had lost tissue after multiple pregnancies.
Others included those diagnosed with breast cancer, who made up about 30 per cent of private surgeries, Crabb said.
More people were turning to the surgery, which is more common overseas, as word of its benefits spread.
"It's what the people want ... it's definitely the treatment of choice for people intolerant to implants. [And] it's much safer ... I think implants are toast. I don't use implants and I wouldn't recommend them. I certainly wouldn't let anyone in my family have them."
Implants had caused concern with reports of painful ruptures.
There was also the "small risk" of developing a lymphatic cancer known as giant cell lymphoma, Crabb said.
"It's important not to panic people but it is fair to say it's causing concern."
Plastic surgeon David Crabb pioneered the large volume fat transfer surgery in New Zealand. Photo / Supplied from YouTube
Overseas media have reported concerns the lymphoma may be linked to textured breast implants, as opposed to smooth ones, with the Independent reporting this week that The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority was monitoring cases of the rare type of immune system cell cancer in women fitted with breast implants since 2011.
US media also reported this week that the Food and Drug Administration had published a report this year linking a rare cancer to the implants.
Meanwhile, Crabb, who has been a plastic surgeon for more than 30 years, said a major benefit for patients is the much faster recovery time.
The new breast went soft in about six weeks, allowing the recipient to lie on her front, and looked "completely natural". In contrast, implants often became permanently uncomfortable for recipients, he said.
The cost of the surgery in New Zealand depends on the individual circumstances of each patient, with some needing more than one operation.
Some health insurers paid, but he had done some publicly-funded operations. He was unsure which district health boards offered the surgery to patients.
Potential patients should speak with their plastic surgeon, Crabb said.
One of Crabb's patients, Deborah Connors, is among New Zealand women who have had their implants removed and replaced with fat cells.
The 59-year-old received implants in the United Kingdom in 2004, but later found out the implants were manufactured by a French company which used unapproved silicone filler.
Suffering joint pain and rheumatic problems some medical professionals thought may be related to the implants, the Whangaparaoa woman began saving to have the implants removed.
"Once you've got the wrong thing in you, it's just in the back of your mind. You just want them out."
Her single surgery took place two years ago and cost $25,000. While there was pain afterwards, she was fine after a couple of weeks and her pre-existing pain had disappeared.
"It's just so nice and you have ... peace of mind. You know that all your body is your own."
The Jacobson family, from left, Caiden, Brendon, Serena, Rachel, Blake and Bryce. Rachel had a large fat volume breast reconstruction surgery after suffering cancer. Photo / Supplied
Upper Hutt woman Rachel Jacobson has also undergone Crabb's pioneering surgery.
The mum-of-four had a single mastectomy, with an implant later, after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. But the implant never looked right, caused her ongoing pain and left her feeling like she had the flu all the time.
She began researching an alternative, found Crabb and eventually underwent three surgeries to complete the implant removal and reconstruction.
"It's painful, but it's a quick recovery."
Her surgeries were covered by her health insurer, except for about $6000 in excesses, and had changed her life, Jacobson said.
As well as being pain free, her new breast looked and felt normal.
"When you've had breast cancer [before reconstruction] you get out of the shower or look in the mirror and there's that constant reminder. [Now] I don't think about it because it just looks like my other breast.
"You don't want to forget about it, you want to be able to help other people, but you don't want to be focused on it all the time."
A Ministry of Heath spokesman said breast reconstruction surgery was performed in the public sector and mostly by plastic surgeons.
Access to care was determined based on a patient's clinical priority, which focused on their level of clinical need and ability to benefit from the procedure. There was a separate process for those seeking elective surgery.
"In terms of the technique used, clinicians are responsible for determining the most appropriate technique for each patient, depending on their condition and suitability."
The ministry did not have a breakdown of the specific techniques used, the spokesman said.
Clinical practice and techniques were overseen by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and the New Zealand Association of Plastic Surgeons, he said.
Information on the number of women affected by implant-related issues was not available.
HOW DOES LARGE VOLUME FAT TRANSFER SURGERY WORK?
The first half of the operation involves harvesting fat cells from other parts of the body, such as the thighs or abdomen.
The cells are then harvested at a reduced temperature, washed with special fluids, separated using gravity before being centrifuged and separated into 3mm syringes.
Passes, where 0.16mm of the cells are syringed into the patient, are then made, with hundreds of passes taking place over the course of the surgery.
There are no major cuts made, only small incisions.
Because the surgeon is able to control the direction of the instrument used, they are able to create a 3D mesh. This is then able to expand, resulting in the construction a new breast.
Once there is no room left for more cells to be added the operation is complete, although in some cases another operation may take place if it is later found that more volume is needed.
