Surgery Technique Targets Cleavage

LOS GATOS, Calif. (KGO) -- The patients who asked us not to use her name, is 55 years old. She says she was looking to reverse some of the effect of time on her figure, but didn't want traditional breast implants.

"I was surprised to learn that you could take fat from where you didn't want it and put it where it would be more pleasing," she says.

Her target area was her cleavage.

"So, we're calling this the cleavage boost," says Los Gatos plastic surgeon Kamakshi Zeidler, M.D.

Dr. Zeidler says fat transfer isn't new, but for many women what's changing is the popular concept of the perfect neckline. She points to younger actresses who walk the red carpet at the Oscars and Golden Globes.

"Small breasts, but a plunging neckline, wanting to show a nice full cleavage," says Dr. Zeidler.

To achieve that look Dr. Zeidler recommended a breast lift, with a fat transfer to raise and slightly reshape the patient's chest. During the surgery she harvests fat from other parts of the body with liposuction, so it can be used to build up the inside area of the breast.

"So we actually remove your own fat cells. And during surgery while you're still asleep, the fat is cleaned and processed and washed so that we can re-inject pure fat cells," Dr. Zeidler explains.

She says the fat cells will ultimately become a living part of the breast. And while the patient may not get the chance to show off the improvement on the red carpet, she says the subtle boost is what she was looking for.

"The body confidence you had when you were younger. As things change over time you kind of miss that," she says.

The cost of cleavage enhancements can vary. But because it's a full procedure performed under anesthesia, the price can often be in the 10-15 thousand dollar range.

The cost of cleavage enhancements can vary, but because it's a full procedure performed under anesthesia, the price can often be in the 10-15 thousand dollar range.

Written and produced by Tim Didion.