Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation ~ Does this Work for Enlarging Breasts?

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Breast Augmentation using your own fat- Be careful.

As you can see by the number of responses to this question, it's a 'hot topic' in Plastic Surgery. Just like the more common procedure where your own fat is transferred to the buttocks, we have learned that 'fat transfer' is a successful procedure when performed properly. However, there are concerns regarding the breast that don't really exist anywhere else on the body- most importantly the fact that cancer in the breast is not uncommon and we don't... more

Scott E. Newman, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.psurgery.com

+3

FAT GRAFTING WORKS FOR BREAST AUGMENTATION - GAINING MORE ACCEPTANCE

This still is a controversial topic in plastic surgery, as no official regulating body is willing to endorse the procedure at the moment. As a board certified plastic surgeon who practices this technique, I believe that the procedure can be carried out very safely, but as to the long term effects of fat grafting on breast tissue - we do not know all the answers. Some of the potential complications regarding fat transfer to the breast are: inflammatory... more

Carlos Cordoba, MD
Montreal Plastic Surgeon

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Fat Transfer to breasts is a bad idea

We have been hearing more and more about this. The results are usually moderate, (one cup size). Historically, fat has been tried to augment the breast. The problem is that it there are an large percentage of untoward events, (cysts, fat necrosis, lumps, etc.). Most importantly fat will often calcify in the breast. Calcifications on mammogram are cancer until proven otherwise. In the past women have received biopsies or worse that they did not need to have. Up until recently the... more

Jeffrey Roth, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

+2

Breast Augmentation with Fat Injection and Fat Grafts

Breast augmentation with fat transfer is currently under much research and debate in the United States and abroad. For years, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons had cautioned its members against performing breast augmentation with fat injections because of fears that the injected fat could interfere with mammograms, inhibit future breast cancer detection, and possibly stimulate breast cancer development. Recently, after finding a lack of scientific data to support... more

Jaime Perez MD
Tampa Plastic Surgeon

+2

Fat Transfer to Breasts

The techniques for fat grafting to the breast are promising, but still developing. I would not recommend fat grafting for breast augmentation unless you fully understand the risks and trade-offs, including unreliability of volume, possible asymmetry, risk of cyst formation, proper preparation and possibility of further surgery. For most women (and their surgeons) it is not yet a practical alternative to breast implant augmentation.

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

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Controversial topic

Breast augmentation with autologous fat (using your own fat) is a new option currently being researched by various doctors. essentially, it is a relatively new technique and has limitations. most patients will require 2-3 operations to achieve their desired size. there are risks related to technique, such as fatty cysts, fat necrosis. there are also unknown risks such as ability to detect malignancy in the future with mammography. as with any new technique or... more

Eric Chang, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

www.columbiaaesthetic.com

+1

Fat transfer for breast augmentation

Ever since plastic surgeons have performed liposuction, patients have asked about the possibility if injecting it into the breasts to enlarge them. Although the procedure is gaining some acceptance, there are still many problems with the predictability of the fat taking in the breasts. At best it is a hit or miss procedure capable of only slight increase in size and unknown long term results and problems. I advise against it. You'll get a much nicer and more... more

Ronald J. Edelson, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

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Fat is ideal for breast augmentation

More and more data is accumulating that fat transfer, when properly performed is as safe if not safer than breast implants. With regard to mammography and breast cancer detection, cysts, lumps etc, again the data accumulating is that with good technique these problems can be minimized. With regard to long term breast cancer risk, there is also no data thus far to show increased risk in patients who have had fat grafting. Fat grafting in the breasts now has a track record going back 25 years... more

Jeffrey Hartog, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

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Fat injections for a breast augmentation

Although using fat injections to enlarge the size of the breast has gained greater acceptance, the issue with it is the reliability of the size after the procedure. Typically variable amounts of fat survive past the 1 year mark, and that usually makes a repeat injection to gain size being repeated at least once and at times up to 3 more times after the initial injections. That translates into up to four surgeries and costs associated with them, and you would need to have enough fat... more

Julio Garcia, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

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Fat transfer for breast augmentation: it works but should you choose that option

Hello, Fat transfer for breast augmentation works but there are three main issues that you should consider before deciding to go forward: 1) Since there is not yet an agreement about mammography among radiologists regarding fat transfer in the breast would you be comfortable with the idea that there might be some question about the mammagraphy results down the road? 2) Fat grafting breast augmentation is often more expensive than traditional implant augmentation since more work... more

Remus Repta, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

www.aaaplasticsurgery.com

+1

Natural breast augmentation ... fat transfer; safe or sorry

A body of literature exists regarding fat transfer from one part of a person's body to another part of one's own body. There are several plastic surgeons who are accumlating data on the specific transfer of fat to the breast area. From what they say it appears to be a safe and satisfying procedure with one major caviat; no one knows what kind of long term problems might arise. This is true of almost everything we use in plastic... more

Jon Sattler, MD
Glendora Plastic Surgeon

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Fat grafting is safe.

The science is squarely behind fat grafting. the debate is over. Implants on the other hand appear to be getting "less safe" with recent news of a possible link to cancer. so, imho, fat grafting should be the first choice for women needing small to moderate augmentation and in select cases larger augmentations with pre-expansion.

Rafael C. Cabrera, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

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Fat transfer to breast

I do fat grafting to the breast and if you adheres to the right protocol (harvesting, processing and grafting) is a safe procedure. Postop mammograms are reported as normal in all of them. The main problem is that volume is not very much, one cup as much after one procedure so if you wnat a big volume this is not your procedure. The technique is ideal to change the shape of the breast and correct deformities but it does not give much projection. In Europe we have a long experience in... more

Jesús Benito-Ruiz, MD
Spain Plastic Surgeon

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Fat injection for breast augmentation produces a different look than implants

Fat injection is probably safe for breast augmentation, but there are theoretical risks for interfering with mammography and breast cancer detection in general, which is important since breast cancer is common. Some scientists have also expressed concern that the fat cells could increase cancer rates. Another consideration is that fat survival is unpredictable, so fat injection may have to be repeated. Perhaps most importantly, patients should consider that breast enlargement with fat... more

Steven Goldman, MD
Cleveland Plastic Surgeon

www.drgoldman.com

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Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation

This is a hot new topic in plastic surgery and it is something that, if it is done correctly, is an operative procedure that may have some merit in selected patients that refuse to have implants and only want to be one size larger or one size change. However, it is still only an evolving and emerging technology and is not considered the standard of care for breast augmentation. I think it may have a role in a selected group of patients and certainly is done commonly in secondary breast... more

Rod J. Rohrich, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

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Fat grafting for breast augmentation

Fat grafting to augment breast size is in its infancy and long term results are not known. Many reputable board certified plastic surgeons are beginning to do this. I have decided to wait a while to see what the next year brings in longer term data. Wishing you all the best, Talmage J. Raine MD FACS

Talmage J. Raine, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

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Is fat grafting a safe and effective way of augmenting the breast?

As a board certified plastic surgeon I do a lot of cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery. This is a very important question to me. I do fat transfer as an adjunctive procedure for most of my breast reconstructions. It is extremely useful for revision of the breast reconstruction. Fat grafting to the breast for augmentation was performed in the past but it was opposed strongly by our plastic surgery society and became a taboo for many years. Recently the procedure is resurfacing as an... more

Farhad Rafizadeh, MD
Morristown Plastic Surgeon

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What about the volumes of fat needed for breast augmentation?

Many newspapers in the world printed articles reported that breast augmentation via fat transfer can now be considered a safe, effective means of enlarging the breasts! Patients most interested in breast augmentation are skinny women with flat chest. If asking them how the procedure work? they don't know that they need an extensive LIPOSUCTION to collect at least one liter of fat to gain one cup of bra!!! Many patients think that the plastic surgeon is using not their... more

Roger Amar, MD
Spain Plastic Surgeon

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Fat grafting is another option

I would recommend that you find a surgeon that has enough experience in the field of fat grafting. In NY area Dr Coleman has pioneered fat grafting and would be the best option. The area of fat grafting still evolving and I would not recommend to all the patients that want breast augmentation. I have performed fat grafting to the breast on more than 190 patients over last 5 years and also have started a forum on this subject at fatgraftforum.com

Kamran Khoobehi, MD
New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

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Fat transfer for breast augmentation

I think from scanning the other posters that there is plenty of info on the drawbacks. I would just comment on the areas where it may already be of more benefit than risk. These would be cases of revision breast augmentation surgery and reconstruction. We do see patients who have a contour irregularity in the breast after augmentation and fat grafting into that area can improve the issue. As more experience with this evolves, we may then feel confident to do even more.... more

Byron D. Poindexter, MD
Reston Plastic Surgeon

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Breast Augmentation using Fat Injection

I agree with the surgeon's who have posted. There is not enough research on the on long term breast health effects from a fat transfer to the breasts. With advancements in modern medicine and technology time will tell. In the mean time I would not recommend this treatment.

Christine Sullivan, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon

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Fat transfer for breast augmentation

The jury is still out in my opinion about this procedure. Some literature was publilshed several months ago about the progress that has been made in this field but I still have some concerns as far as mammography and concerns about making the diagnosis of breast cancer difficult. The safest way to augment the breasts in my opinion is still good old fashion breast implants. I would caution you to wait if this is truly the way you want to go until some 5 and possibly 10 year data come out.... more

Thomas B. Lintner, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

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Fat transfer breast augmentation

The absolute most important factor to consider when thinking about breast augmentation is the future health of your breasts. There are many articles in our literature establishing the safety of breast augmentation as far as the likelihood of developing breast cancer and the ability to detect it after breast implant placement. I think these articles show that after breast augmentation there is no increase incidence of breast cancer and implants do not make it difficult to find... more

Terrence Murphy, MD
Englewood Plastic Surgeon

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Fat grafting to the breast is an option for augmentation

I would echo the comments of the other surgeons on this forum regarding this procedure. Patients need to gain a clear understanding of the risks, benefits and potential long-term issues that this procedure presents. However, as a surgeon beginning to do this procedure in practice, I would also add that a patient's expectations for volume and predictability of result need to be carefully checked. Additionally, it is becoming clear clinically, and there will soon be clinical data to... more

Scott Sattler, MD
Bellevue Plastic Surgeon

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Fat Transfer or Graft for Breast Enlargement may be possible

Experienced plastic surgeons have been successfully using patient's own fat for transfer / grafting for many years. There have been gradual improvements in the techniques. Facial contour enhancement and buttock enhancement are two of the most established uses. For the reasons discussed in other posts, there is not yet general agreement about the effectiveness and safety of this technique in a woman's breast. In another few years, we should have research that better answers our questions.... more

Sutton Graham II, MD
Greenville Plastic Surgeon

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Fat grafting for breast augmentation now possible

It is now possible for women to enlarge their breasts without resorting to implants! Specially prepared fat taken from another part of the body, such as the stomach or hips, is placed under the breast tissue to provide increased breast size without the need for artificial implants. The technique is called autologous fat transfers and autologous simply means "your own." And who doesn't have a little fat to spare? It's safe because it came from you, so you can't have a reaction to it... more

Michelle Copeland, MD, DMD
New York Plastic Surgeon

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Fat injection (lipoinjection and fat grafting) for breast augmentation or enlargement without implants

This has been performed in Europe over the preceding 10 years but has only recently become a viable option in the United States after being shunned and heavily criticized. This requires a radiologist who is extremely comfortable with interpreting the complex mammogram results after the surgery. Therefore, I would disagree with the statement that it is accepted as safe and effective. To answer your question more directly, I would consider offering this option to patients after reviewing... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

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Not enough studies for fat injection into the breasts

I do not think that fat injection into the breast has been studied enough. There is concern for scarring and inability to detect abnormal calcification. A good radiologist may be able to determine the difference between a malignancy vs. scarring from surgery, however we do not yet know the long term effects of injecting fat into the breasts.

Sharon Theresa McLaughlin MD
Long Island City Plastic Surgeon

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Breast Augmentation with Fat evolving

This is a hot topic we are currently working on nationally and internationally. Although fat transfer has been accepted for the face , buttocks and other contour defects, the breast is more controversial because of the higher propensity of cancer in this tissue in women. In addition, fat cell have very active stem cells and growth factors which may be beneficial for makng facial skin get younger, the effect is unknown in the breast. For this reason, this procedure should be perfromed at... more

Barry E. DiBernardo, MD
Montclair Plastic Surgeon

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Breast Augmentation with Fat

I would not recommend it! We have used fat for correction of laugh lines other areas as well as gluteal augmentation with large amounts of fat being injected. The problem is the location of fat being injected into (breast). Given the high occurance of breast cancer in the U.S., at this point it is a bit risky to inject fat into the breast. We still dont know the long term results and its interference with breast cancer screening. There is also other complications. There is also size... more

Farbod Esmailian, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

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Breast Augmentation with your own fat generally not accepted yet

Breast Augmentation has been safely performed with saline/silicone implants for the last 30 years. Some patients are leary of "foreign bodies" in their body, but still want larger breasts. BRAVA devices helped to increase the size of breast without surgery. However, it required a long, ardous process and resulted to about one cup size of growth. The use of a person's own fat is being considered as an increasingly acceptable alternative. The idea is great -- take fat from one area... more

Richard Greco, MD
Savannah Plastic Surgeon

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Free fat graft breast augmentation

Earth shattering news out of Australia in mid-November 2009 could have monumental effects on breast surgery, both reconstruction after breast cancer and enlargement for cosmetic reasons. The technique discovered in Australia is called Neopec. So far the process has only been performed in pigs and was so successful that human trials are scheduled too begin in early 2010. The pigs grew new breasts in 6 weeks. The surgeon places a scaffold or shell of biodegradable material in the breast,... more

Aaron Stone, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

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Breast Enlargement by Fat Injection isn't widely accepted yet

Breast Enlargment by Fat Injection isn't yet widely accepted, as it's still in late phases of research here in the States. I think it may become popular with select surgeons for very specific women in the future, but we're not there quite yet. There are risks, and many of those were illustrated in a recent article in our plastic surgery literature, including oil cysts and irregular lumps. I wouldn't jump on this just yet. Let the clinical trials finish and let's see the LONG-TERM results... more

Carmen Kavali, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

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Fat Grafting for Breast augmentation is being re-evaluated

The use of Fat Grafting for Breast Augmentation is being re-evaluated. It may become an alternative to breast implants in the future (I doubt it) but it has limitations as far as the size increase which can be achieved and I'm sure will always carry with it the concerns about making cancer detection a little more difficult. I wouldn't recommend it.

Daniel P. Markmann, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

DiscoverTheBeauty.com

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Breast Aug with fat transfer.

At this poit time, fat transfer to the brast for augmentation purposes is not yet considerd, safe, effective, and long lasting. Granted, it is being researched, but it is jumping the gun to do it at this time. I wouldn't do this to my patients prsently. sek

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

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Breast augmentation through fat injection has been a hot topic

This has been a hot topic for several years. No one really has the answer because there are really no long term studies. Fat has been injected all over the Body without an increased risk of cancer, but the breast is a different organ. Radiologists can differentiate fat necrosis, microcalcifications, etc. from breast cancer, but this is still controversial.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

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Breast Augmentation with your own fat

For years we have injected a patient's own fat to many different areas of the body with success. Recent interest in the breast has shown promise, but it is still not a procedure for everyone. Like all things, there are plusses and minusses. The procedure is very time consuming and usually requires as many as 3 separate operations to complete the process with possible hard lumpy areas afterwards. For smaller fill areas this is a promising technique and I have performed it for refinement of... more

Darrick E. Antell, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

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Breast Augmentation with your OWN Fat

Breast Augmentation with your own fat is NOT NEW. The first breast augmentation on record was done in 1895 by Dr. Vincenz Czerny, professor of Surgery at Heidelberg, who attempted correcting a breast asymmetry caused by removal of a large benign breast tumor by transferred a back fatty tumor (lipoma) into the breast. The solution was innovative but the result was not long lasting. Over the years many have attempted puffing breasts with every known substance ever discovered, it was logical... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

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Breast enhancement with your own fat

Breast augmentation with your own fat has had a bit of a resurgence but there are many cautions to be considered. There will now undoubtedly be non-plastic surgeons looking at this as a niche market and will practice this without proper training. Of the reports about this technique, there is typically a small emhancement at one setting and it takes hours to complete. If this is an interest, I would recommend you find a board-certified plastic surgeon who is doing it and can share some before... more

Michael C. Edwards, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

www.medwardsmd.com

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Breast augmentation with fat injections

In the past, this was condemned as potentially producing problems that might mimic or mask the detection of breast cancer. There has been a resurgence of interest in this treatment and some very nice results are being shown. On the other hand, a recent journal article showed complications of fat injections that are not good. So, I would say that it is a work in progress at this point and is not yet what I would call accepted therapy or the standard of care. I wouldn't advise it for a... more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

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Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation

Breast Augmentation using your own fat- Be careful.

FAT GRAFTING WORKS FOR BREAST AUGMENTATION - GAINING MORE ACCEPTANCE

Fat Transfer to breasts is a bad idea

Breast Augmentation with Fat Injection and Fat Grafts

Fat Transfer to Breasts

Controversial topic

Fat transfer for breast augmentation

Fat is ideal for breast augmentation

Fat injections for a breast augmentation

Fat transfer for breast augmentation: it works but should you choose that option

Natural breast augmentation ... fat transfer; safe or sorry

Fat grafting is safe.

Fat transfer to breast

Fat injection for breast augmentation produces a different look than implants

Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation

Fat grafting for breast augmentation

Is fat grafting a safe and effective way of augmenting the breast?

What about the volumes of fat needed for breast augmentation?

Fat grafting is another option

Fat transfer for breast augmentation

Breast Augmentation using Fat Injection

Fat transfer for breast augmentation

Fat transfer breast augmentation

Fat grafting to the breast is an option for augmentation

Fat Transfer or Graft for Breast Enlargement may be possible

Fat grafting for breast augmentation now possible

Fat injection (lipoinjection and fat grafting) for breast augmentation or enlargement without implants

Not enough studies for fat injection into the breasts

Breast Augmentation with Fat evolving

Breast Augmentation with Fat

Breast Augmentation with your own fat generally not accepted yet

Free fat graft breast augmentation

Breast Enlargement by Fat Injection isn't widely accepted yet

Fat Grafting for Breast augmentation is being re-evaluated

Breast Aug with fat transfer.

Breast augmentation through fat injection has been a hot topic

Breast Augmentation with your own fat

Breast Augmentation with your OWN Fat

Breast enhancement with your own fat

Breast augmentation with fat injections

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