The technique, which is called Lipomodelling, allows breast cancer patients to have their breasts reconstructed using natural fatty tissue from their own stomach or thigh, instead of artificial implants.

The West Sussex Breast Centre, based at Worthing Hospital, is one of the first in the area to offer this operation — and as consultant breast surgeons Mr Riccardo Bonomi and Mr Akhil Johri explained, the first operation last Monday was a great success.

Natural feeling

Mr Bonomi said: "The technique means patients can achieve a more natural feeling and there is no need for a prosthesis.

"It also minimises the risks relating to implants, including reactions to a foreign body.

"Our first operation was last week and it was very successful. The patient went home within 24 hours and she experienced little pain."

Mr Johri said: "There are very few centres which offer this treatment.

"All in all, this is a very good, unique treatment from a patient's point of view, but it will also be saving a lot of money for the hospital as there is no need to use implants.

"We are telling our patients it is available and there will be a waiting list."


French origin

Lipomodelling was developed by Dr Delay, of the Centre Léon Bérard in Lyon, France.

Mr Bonomi carried out the first operation on Anne Wood, 55, of Lindfield, West Sussex.

In an operation lasting just one-and-a-half hours, Mr Bonomi, assisted by Mr Gilles Tousson, from France, removed fatty tissue from Mrs Wood's stomach.

The tissue was filtered to remove ruptured fat cells and blood, to obtain purified fat and stem cells and minimise the amount which would be reabsorbed by the body.

It was then injected into Mrs Wood's left breast.

Total reconstruction

This technique has been widely used to treat minor imperfections to reconstructed breasts, but, in this case, it was used as part of a total reconstruction.

In the next four to six weeks, only 20 per cent of the tissue will be absorbed by the body, with the remaining 80 per cent remaining in the breast to give a natural result.

Mrs Wood was diagnosed with breast cancer last year after a routine check-up at a mobile screening unit.

She said: "I feel privileged to be the first patient to have this treatment at Worthing Hospital.

"I was nervous about having an operation, but I had 100 per cent trust in Mr Bonomi.

"I was amazed at how quickly I recovered and I am delighted with the results.

"I would recommend this operation to anyone in a similar situation to me.

"I couldn't have wished for better care and treatment."

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