New York: Cosmetic surgeons in the US are using excess body fat to sculpt breasts rather than using implants.

The procedure has been successfully carried out by New York surgeon Sydney Coleman and could make silicon implants, which need to be replaced every ten years redundant. Mr Coleman has carried out about 30 of the procedures which also lesson the possibility of infection and scarring.

Similarly Thomas Baker, a professor of plastic surgery at Miami University’s medical school, has performed 28 augmentations using women’s own fat over the past two years.

Baker says thetechnique is ideal for women wanting a modest breast enlargement of about one to one and a half cup sizes because a smaller volume of fat is needed.

London’s The Harley Medical Group says is planning to offer the operation once scientific clinical trials have taken place and are peer-reviewed in established medical publications.