Fat Grafting with Stem Cells vs. Breast Implants

After much research into both silicone/saline implants,I just wasn't comfortable with the complication rate of either,namely within five years of implant more than 40% of patients require a second. Also,reading many personal stories of women who had explant surgery due to various health problems including ruptured or leaking implants,especially pics of saline implants black with mold from faulty valves was disturbing. Fat grafting with stem cells sounds great,but very costly and not many ps do?

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20 Doctor Answers | Asked by Washington DC1566 in Maryland

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Fat grafting for breast augmentation

We have started performing breast augmentation with fat grating over the preceding year with excellent results and satisfied patients in the limited and informed patients we have worked with thus far. There is a learning curve and this is being performed in a limited number of centers in theuntied states. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

33 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Breast augmentation via fat grafting is possible, but has its own concerns.

The published data on reoperation rates for implants based on the FDA core studies is 15% at 3 years for primary augmentation patients. I do not know where you got the 40% reoperation rate, but this in incorrect. As for fat grafting, it is definitely possible, however it has its own drawbacks. Here are some basics: You need to have modest expectations as to increase in breast size. Realistically, a cup size is about all one can expect. You need to have enough fat to harvest in... more

David Bogue, MD

6 reviews

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

Stem cell instead of breast implants

Fat grafting to the breasts can be done but the results are really diappointing. The fat usually dissolves with time and the amount of enlargement is about one cup size. In my experience, the chances of re-operation with silicone implants is very small. I have been doing these for over 15years and I would be surprised if I have re-operated on 5% of my patients. They have proven to be safe and the manufacturers have improved the silicone implants so the chances of hardening or capsular... more

Stem cell augmentation

You are right on both scores.The procedure is very,very expensive and few doctors do it.One concern is what happens to the fat that doesn't take? Can this cause suspicious calcifications? More needs to be done and more studies conducted.

Fat Grafting - Stem Cells. Good alternative

Fat grafting to the breast is a very reasonable alternative for the right patient. There is a volume limitation with fat injections to the breast that may make implants more appropriate. However, fat grafting can provide volume and it can be used to enhance specific areas of the breast. We have been using fat grafting since 1995 with predictable results and terrific patient satisfaction. It has become accepted for the breast in the last several years. Common uses... more

Fat Grafting for Breast Augmentation

A forty percent (40%) complication rate for primary breast augmentation? Can you quote the source of this? When the FDA put a freeze on silicone breast augmentation surgery in the early 1990s, one of the issues they highlighted was a "high" reoperation rate that plastic surgeons and implant manufacturers AT THAT TIME could not completely explain...however, since that time, a majority of the reoperative cases in studies since that time, have pointed to patient driven indications, nam more

Grafting with Stem Cells instead of breast implants?

There is no FDA authorized stem cell procedure in the United States. There are many people claiming to do stem cell facelifts, stem cell breast augmentation, stem cell anything. This is a bit of smoke and mirrors. Anytime you do fat grafting you are actually transferring stem cells along with it so all Brazilian Butt Lifts can also be called Stem Cell Brazilian Butt Lifts. It is still not clear whether stem cell augmentation to fat grafting actually does anything. The whole idea is still... more

Stem cell grafting for breast augmentation

Stem cells are one thing and fat grafting is another but sometimes the names are interchanged. This is still experimental and if it is fat grafting you are talking about, may not give the volume that you desire.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Stem Cell Grafting to Your Breasts is Still Investigational

Stem Cell grafting for breast augmentation is still in its early stages. And while breast implants are far from perfect, the pictures you see of "moldy" valves and so forther are generally the worst case scenario and extraordinarly rare. In addition, as pointed out in previous posts it is better suited for someone looking for a very subtle enhancement and not more than about a cup size increase. In my clinical experience, most patients will require a revision in... more

Stem cell breast augmentation

Stem cell breast augmentation is another term for fat grafting into the breast to increase cup size. The procedure is considered 'investigational' at best and is not widely practiced. We would not consider fat grafting an acceptable alternative to breast implants which have been very well studied and are infinitely safer. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd