London-based cosmetic surgeons are pioneering a new form of breast enhancement surgery that uses the patient’s own fat, harvested from their thighs and stomach through liposuction.

The Daily Mail reports that Dr Roberto and Dr Maurizio Viel – who are twins – have carried out the procedure on 10 women to date and a further 10 are due to undergo the new breast enhancement surgery during March.

The operation – known as platelet injection fat transfer (PIFT) – is carried out under local anaesthetic and involves the patient having fat removed during liposuction, which is then mixed with other body cells and injected into the breasts.

The first patient to undergo the breast enhancement procedure in the UK in December last year was Emma Harding, 25, who increased her bust from a 32B to a 32C.

She had at first considered breast enlargement using the synthetic filler Macrolane, which is known as the ‘boob jab' and can increase breasts by one cup size. She decided against this as she had heard of cases of breast enlargement using filler that resulted in breasts looking ‘lumpy’.

'Having silicone implants was not for me,’ said Ms Harding. ’I may have wanted a bigger chest, but I didn't want to look like Jordan and I didn't like the idea of something alien in my breasts.'

She is said to be ‘thrilled’ with the results obtained with the PIFT procedure. The Viel brothers have been carrying out fat transfer procedures for the last 18 years and the technique originated in the 19^th century.

However, some experts are concerned that PIFT might increase the risk of developing breast cancer, with the injected tissue becoming hard and either causing deformities to the breasts or masking tumours in the breasts.

Consultant plastic surgeon Jag Chana from the Royal Free Hospital and Spire Bushey Hospital, both in north London, said that women who chose to have the operation were acting as ‘guinea pigs’.

‘There will almost certainly be some re-absorption which could cause asymmetry in the breasts. More importantly, there is the issue of breast cancer,’ he said.

'In someone who is genetically susceptible to breast cancer, the introduction of stem cells may accelerate the biological process – and could even cause the disease. It is also possible to get calcification in the breast tissue.

'This could interfere with breast screening, as it would be impossible to tell whether this had been caused by the procedure or by cancer itself.

‘I feel strongly that this type of procedure is being pushed too far too early,’ added Mr Chana. ‘We are trialling it at the Royal Free Hospital, but under strict scientific protocol.’

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