I Am Considering Fat Grafting for Asymmetry Correction After Partial Mastectomy and Radiation Therapy (Completed 19 Months Ago).

I've been told that a 50% take can be expected, so I'm sure fat necrosis could be a complication. From what I've read, fat necrosis can sometimes resolve on its own. Are there any other possible complications that I should be aware of? Is fat grafting in a radiated breast generally effective and is it oncologically sound? How long do you have to wait to know how much of the fat survived? Thank you in advance for your response.

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9 Doctor Answers | Asked by GoGoGirl

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Fat Transfer

See a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and all involved in your care to determine your outcome scenarios. With added scar tissue, the rules change. Thank you for your question and good luck with everything.

Fat grafting is likely the preferred method of reconstruction for lumpectomy radiation cases

Stem and Regenerative Cell Enriched Fat grafting is now an approved method of reconstruction for lumpectomy radiation patients in the EU. It is also considered the treatment of choice by the British National Health not just due to the effectivenes but also cost effectiveness. With appropriate technique and using the BRAVA® device, close to 90% fat take can be expected. The stem and regenerative cells in fat, have been clearly shown to have a beneficial effect on radiated tissue. The main... more

Fat transfer in radiated partial mastectomy defects.

Fat transfer or grafting is a well established reconstructive tool for the correction of contour deformities in the breast. There is some encouraging data to show that the grafted fat may improve the vascularity in radiated patients to a small degree. Complications from fat grafting include infections, fat necrosis, cysts, and irregularities. The fat can be processed in several ways to optimize the "take" rate (how much fat survives). Essentially, careful treatment of the fat cells... more

David Bogue, MD

6 reviews

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

#Breast contouring, #BreastAugmentation, #Breastlift, #mastopexy, #Fatgraft to the breasts

Dear GoGoGirl Contouring of the breast - post mastectomy and radiation is an excellent treatment for shaping the breast, softening of the scar tissue from the radiation and reversing the effects of the damage caused by the radiation. Complications include infection, lumps/bumps, fat necrosis, sensation changes, poor fat survival, donor site irregularities, fat embolii, drug reactions, DVT, pain, nausea and vomiting- fortunately these are all uncommon. The procedure is oncologically... more

I Am Considering Fat Grafting for Asymmetry Correction After Partial Mastectomy and Radiation Therapy (Completed 19 Months Ago).

Fat grafting in a radiated mastectomy area is a difficult process. By 3 months the fat left is what you can expect. Many have multiple sessions of grafting to build up the breast mound. Seek a boarded PS experience with fat grafting.

Fat grafting is safe option

I have large series of fat grafting during last 5 years and it is a great option for reconstruction. You should make sure your surgeon has lots of experience with fat grafting.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD

28 reviews

New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Fat Grafting works very well for post partial mastectomy deformity.

Hi. 1) This is very safe and most patients are very grateful. 2) Good technique is very very important. The fat harvesting, processing, and injection have to be done just right. We inject the pure fat in multiple tiny "string of pearls" deposits, using tiny blunt cannulas. 3) You can expect at least 80% take with this technique. The atrophied fat just gets re-absorbed.

Fat transfer after partial mastectomy

I aim for 100% of my fat grafts to take, although obvioulsy this cannot be guaranteed. If the fat does not take, then you may get fat necrosis, although because the fat is injected in tiny droplets, the areas of fat necrosis are usually small and often settle with time. Rarely, they will need to be excised. It is also possible to get oil cysts that may need to be aspirated or excised and the fat graft may get infected and form an abscess. I frequently perform fat... more

Fat grafting in the radiated breast

It is safe. to be done effectively with as much take as possible, pre-expansion with a BRAVA device should be done. IMHO fat grafting to partial defects of radiated tissue in the breast is the preferred technique. Dr. Rafael Cabrera