Unwanted fat can be used as 'natural' breast implants

It promises to give women going under the knife a double boost.

A 'two-in-one' breast enlargement operation takes excess fat from the thighs and stomach and moves it to the bust.

The pioneering technique has been tested in Britain and the U.S. and is expected to be offered to British women by early next year.

The procedure transfers fat from unwanted areas to create 'natural' breast enlargements. Doctors believe it will bring several benefits inflatable bounce, including a more natural shape and feel compared with augmented breasts.

It could also avoid the problems associated with some artificial implants, which can harden and change shape and may need to be replaced.

More than 2,500 women have already expressed interest in the surgery, which is expected to cost £8,000.

Mel Braham, chairman of the Harley Medical Group which will offer the technique, said: 'This is the most exciting breakthrough in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery that I have seen over the last two decades.

'It amounts to two beneficial procedures in one - taking unwanted fat from one or two areas of a patient's body and transferring it to the breast area.'

He said a study of UK and U.S. patients who had the procedure four or five years ago had confirmed that the results were lasting.

He believes the procedure will eventually become more popular than implants and dominate the market within ten years.

The Harley Medical Group, which has a chain of 26 cosmetic surgery clinics, says it hopes the procedure will become commercially available in Britain early next year.

Zdenek Pros, one of the surgeons who will carry out the operations, said: 'Natural breast enlargement using fat grafting, in addition to increasing the size of the breast, has a more natural look and feel.

'In simple terms, the fat transfer procedure collects fat from a part of the body with excessive fat deposits and then places it in another part of the body where it is used for cosmetic and aesthetic purposes.

'This type of augmentation technique is very effective in enabling surgeons to shape the breast and achieve smooth, natural-looking contours reenex facial.'

An increase of up to three cup sizes can be achieved by the redistribution of body fat, said surgeons.

A 34-year-old woman from Northampton, who had fat removed from her hips and transplanted to her breasts four years ago as part of the British pilot study, described the results as 'incredible'.

The woman, who asked not to be named, said: 'I would never have considered having a breast implant, but a natural way of increasing my bust size was like a dream come true.

'I wanted a very natural increase of just one and a half cup sizes, which returned my breasts to their pre-childbirth form.

'Getting rid of my muffin top [fat around the waist] and getting my breasts back in one operation was incredible .'

The procedure will be discussed at the annual meeting of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons this week.