Breast Implants: Q&A
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Breast Enhancement Options
i am not sure i should get breast implants. it scares me to get plastic surgery. i want to know: what are the non-surgical ways to enhance my bust? are there natural remedies to breast enlargement?
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57 Doctor Answers |
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anon
+7
Non Surgical Breast Enhancement Options
There is only one Non Surgical alternative to Breast Implants that I am aware of and that is BRAVA non surgical breast expansion. BRAVA does work, but slowly, daily use for many hours for 11 months. The BRAVA enlargement is modest and cannot achieve the same results as Breast Implants.
Fat Transfer to the Breast is new and called Natural because the technique uses your own body tissue-Fat. However Fat Transfer is a surgical technique.
Read the link below for a review of Breast...
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+5
An honest appraisal of alternatives to breast augmentation using implants
There are three main alternatives to breast augmentation using implants:
Pills and creams. There are a large number of hormonal and homeopathic pills and creams that promise breast enhancement, but little existing proof of their effectiveness.
The Brava breast enhancement system. Brava is a noninvasive treatment that involves wearing a special brassiere-type device for at least ten hours a day for ten weeks or more. Studies have shown a modest increase in bust size (about 1 cup size) after...
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+4
Alternatives to breast augmentation
There have been a number of creams, both hormonal and homeopathic, that promise breast enlargement without verifiable results. The Brava system has been used as well, but has been inconsistent.
Fat injections seem to be gaining popularity, as many plastic surgeons have used fat injections to help breast reconstruction patients with minor, and major, defects of the breast. There are surgeons who take four to seven hours to do one round of fat augmentation, that can usually only increase...
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I have never had surgery before... So, hence I was very hesitant. But Dr. Barry Cohen is...
+4
The main alternatives to breast augmentation...
The main alternatives to breast augmentation include:
Bra padding
BRAVA external breast augmentation system
Fat injections to the breast
The BRAVA system was invented by a plastic surgeon, Dr. Roger Khouri. The BRAVA uses an external suction device that looks like a large bra to create engorgement in the breast tissue and new breast tissue growth. This device has to be used for several weeks to months for at least 12 hours a day. Results that I have seen presented were mild at best and...
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+4
There are no pills, topical creams, injections or other...
There are no pills, topical creams, injections or other non-surgical procedures that serve as alternatives to breast augmentation. Without surgical placement of a breast implant, there are no other options to achieve more fullness or better shape of your breasts.
Fat injections and hyaluronic acid injections to augment the breast a small amount have been described recently but are not widely accepted or recommended at this time in the plastic surgery world. This is because we don't know the...
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+3
There are no natural "remedies" that I know of. There is on
There are no natural "remedies" that I know of.
There is only one non-invasive way to possible enlarge the breasts by about 150cc's. This is using the Brava system, which is basically a suction cup device that is placed on the chest to recruit adjoining skin ans tissue.
This requires several hours of wearing each night for many weeks. To put it in perspective, most patients I treat want an average of 250-500 cc implants in each breast.
+3
Not really. Pills, lotions and potions don't work and...
Not really. Pills, lotions and potions don't work and actually maybe dangerous. Some of them maybe based on hormonal products and therefore can really affect your health. Moreover, if there are ANY effects, these are only temporary.
I tried, a few years ago, the BRAVA system but it really did not rise to the promise and we abandoned this idea. Fat injections can potentially cover breast cancer changes.
Surgical breast augmentation remains the only reliable and safe way to predictably...
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+3
The only device on the market to nonsurgically enhance...
The only device on the market to nonsurgically enhance breasts is the BRAVA system. This has been shown in clinical trials to increase breast size by an average of 150cc or 1/2 to 1 cup size. The long term results are not yet known.
The device is not meant to replace implants since it only gives a small increase in size but may work for women who are looking for a small increase in volume or for women who have had some deflation of their breasts after pregnancy/breastfeeding and are looking...
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Ontario Plastic Surgeon
+2
The Best Option to Enhance Your Breast Size is to Undergo Breast Augmentation
It’s normal to have anxiety about undergoing cosmetic surgery. It’s also appropriate to ask whether or not there are nonsurgical alternatives that may have less risk and accomplish your aesthetic goals.
There are two nonsurgical alternatives to breast implants for breast enlargement. These include a variety of pills and creams which supposedly increase breast size. Unfortunately, there is no scientific data or proof that they actually work.
There is also the Brava...
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+2
Breast enlargement without implants
There have been many efforts to enhance the breasts without implants, none very successful. The old gym teacher exhorting her junior high class in pec exercises chanting something about "we must build our bust" comes to mind. Herbals, Brava, and fat injection are all out there. None does anything significant and the lipofilling is not yet considered a standard of care.
+2
No good alternatives to breast implants
Breast implants provide excellent, reproducible and safe results. There is no other procedure that can say the same.
Breast augmentation with the patients own fat is a very exciting concept because it avoids the long term issues associated with implants and improves the area from which the fat is harvested. Having said that, only one cup size enlargement is possible and there are both cosmetic issues (irregular contours) and cancer issues (may interfere with mammography).
The BRAVA device...
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+2
NON-Surgical Breast Augmentation
The recurrent horror stories fed to us by the media deter a lot of women from having a Breast Augmentation. While Breast Augmentation, like ALL operations, has potential complications, the vast majority of women who had the operation would NOT willingly part with their implants.
As regards NON-Surgical Breast Augmentation - For many years, many methods have been tried with mostly minimal success and major disappointment. You can still see a suction vacuum breast "augmentation"...
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+2
Alternatives to breast implants
Fat injection is an alternative technique. The problem is that it can cause micro calcification in the breast where it is injected. The radiologists say that they can tell the difference between that and the calcification caused by breast cancer.
I do fat injection for revision of breast reconstruction especially in cases where the area was radiated. There is some evidence that the stem cells in the fat could revers some of the radiation changes. I don't like to experiment on patients. Once...
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+2
Alternative to breast implants
Breast implants are the best and safest option for now.
Fat injections for breast augmentation are still in the experimental stage, so most of us don't recommend them. We're still evaluating the future surveillance implications on breast cancer after fat grafting for breast augmentation so I don't think this is such a good idea.
Best Wishes,
DoctorMeade
+2
Non-surgical options to breast enhancement
As stated in many of the previous comments, Options for non-implant breast augmentation are:
1) Hormonal pills, supplements, creams.
2) Brava Breast Enhancement system.
3) Breast augmentation via lipoinjection.
4) Enhancing garments such as bras or inserts.
However, surgical augmentation remains the mainstay of breast enlargement providing reliable, predicatable, relatively consistent and subastantial breast enhancement.
Lipoinjection has recently been viewed as an option, yet concerns with...
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+2
There is no free lunch in breast augmentation
There are many pills, devices, and creams available that all claim to increase your breast volume. There are no controlled studies showing that any of these products work.
There is one product called the Brava System that has shown a VERY modest increase in breast volume. It involves wearing a suction apparatus on your breasts 8 to 10 hours a day WITHOUT INTERRUPTION for 6 weeks at least. It is large and cumbersome, and impossible to hide under your clothes. We tried them in my practice...
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+2
While there are a number of alternative methods for...
While there are a number of alternative methods for augmenting the size of your breasts, none are truly as effective as the use of a breast implant. Fat injections have been used for years to plump up facial lines and wrinkles and shape facial contour but have never really caught on for breast enhancement. The problem is that fat is relatively unreliable in how long it lasts. In addition, the amount of fat required to effectively increase your cup size is dramatic. The BRAVA device has also...
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+1
Breast Enhancement Options
Although there are creams and potions for breast enlargement , I only know of one understudy by Dr. Frank Greenway that showed promise. For rapid efficient breast enlargement I would recommend silicone implants under the muscle.
+1
Breast implants and or fat injections are your best bet
Creams and pills are a waste of time. Brava is a joke . Way to hard to do and such little improvement. Ask the women if you dont believe me... one hour of surgery and you will be wher you wish.,
+1
Nonsurgical options for breast enhancement
Fat grafting - can give excellent results. At this point experimental. Considerations of breast cancer and breast cancer detection are the major hurdles.
Brava - this is an external device that is worn at night that has been shown to increase breast size. The results are have not been sustained over time (unless combined with fat grafting)
Breast enhancement pills/ creams - Great in theory. If it really worked don't you think you would know someone...
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+1
Non-Surgical Breast Enlargement
There are few practical alternatives to breast implants or surgical breast augmentation.
An external vacuum device (BRAVA) has been available and some women have seen small enhancements (~1/2cup size). The device is a bit cumbersome and has to be used regularly to achieve the change and for maintenance.
Recently there has been some renewed interest in fat grafting of the breast.
Your own body fat is suctioned usually from the tummy or thigh
It is injected into your...
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+1
Non-surgical breast enlargement
There is a cumbersome device that you can wear on your breasts for months that will slightly enlarge your breasts. I do not know anyone who recommends this. I very strongly advise agains fat or silicone injections. Have implants or do nothing.
+1
Alternatives to breast implants
At the time of this writing, there are really no good alternatives to getting the some type of results that one would get with breast implants. Some alternatives include:
Fat injections: There is a renewed interest in this technique. In the past it was fraught with calcification of the fat that was read out as suspicious by radiologists. Women had biopsies and worse because of this. there is also fat necrosis, cyst development and other possible...
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+1
No good implant alternative to get same results
There really is not an alternative to implants that will give you the same results, or anything remotely close to the results of surgery. The application of the BRAVA bra has been shown to enlarge breast size very slightly—at least temporarily. It applies a vacuum force to the breast with some limited success. Also, as you probably are aware, hormone manipulation in some people will create breast growth but in many other people, it is not successful. There's been some interest in fat...
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+1
No reliable natural alternatives to enlarge the breasts exist
I have performed breast augmentation with implants hundreds of times over the last 15 years and it is a very safe effective alternative for enlarging the breasts.
Usually patients are "scared" of surgery for the wrong reasons. The pain is limited to about two days of soreness which can be treated with pain medications. Today's anesthesia is both safe and effective and the results are natural in appearance if you choose an implant of reasonable size.
Down time is limited...
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+1
Non-Surgical Breast Enlargement
The only non-surgical method for breast enlargement is the BRAVA system. This is a suction system that is worn for many hours a day for several weeks. It will give a slight increase in breast size. We used to offer this system in my practice, but patients found it difficult to adhere to the treatment plan and were disappointed in the results. However, if you definitely do not want surgery, this may be right for you.
DEFINITELY stay away from the oral supplements offered on the internet....
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+1
Alternatives to breast implants
If your breasts are drooping, a breast lift may give you the ILLUSION that your breasts are a little larger becasue the same amount of volume is now redistributed into a smaller skin envelope.If you arelooking for a volume increase, there is no reasonable alternative.
+1
There's little real world alternatives for breast implants
The discussion about doing large volume fat grafting (with or without BRAVA prior) is kind of silly at this point. It is not clear that it is reproducible or practical to attempt fat grafting of large volumes. People promoting that at this point are out of the mainstream and offering more then you can deliver in terms or precision or safety.
Birmingham Plastic Surgeon
+1
Breast augmentation without implants
The only non-implant breast augmentation procedures are the BRAVA system, fat transfer, and autologous breast augmentation with flaps.
The BRAVA system is essentially a suction device placed on the breasts to encourage "growth" of the breasts. The results can be enhanced with fat transfer (removal of fat from one part of the body and injected into the breasts). Results are not typically dramatic, however a modest improvement in breast size can be obtained.
Straight fat...
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+1
Breast Enlargement without implants
Currently implants are the best option for breast enlargement. There aren't really any herbal treatments that work. The BRAVA bra can give a slight increase in your breast size but it is expensive, time consuming and uncomfortable. There is allot of case reports with fat transfers. This procedure is usually a multiple step procedure with moderate increases in breast volume. The long term effects are a concern, specifically breast cancer screening. In an experienced and skilled board...
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+1
Breast Implant Alternatives
Alternatives to breast implants include the use of contouring "push up" bras, the brava device and autologous fat transfer.
Push up bras don't actually enlarge the breast but can make the breasts look larger, especially if they contain padding. The obvious disadvantage is they only work when they are being worn.
Brava has been on the market for about ten years now. It uses a set of rigid cups placed over the breasts with a vacuum pump to creat suction. Expect minimal improvement...
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San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1
Bigger breasts without implants
The most reliable means for breast augmentation is using breast implants. There are a few alternatives that may be of benefit, but not to the same degree as breast implants. Of course, weight gain and pregnancy will cause breast enlargement, but these are not really methods for aesthetic augmentation of the breasts.
The most promising method of increasing breast size without implants is fat transfer. This involves taking fat from other areas of the body, frequently by liposuction, and...
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+1
Breast Implant Options
There really is no good alternative to breast augmentation if you are looking for increased volume. If you are looking for a breast lift without any change in volume, then a mastopexy may be a good option for you. As far as breast implants go, your choices are saline or silicone. Saline is a bit less expensive, but has a less natural feel. Silicone implants placed under the muscle give the most natural results. Good luck.
+1
Alternatives to breast implants are non-proven
The methods to enlarge breasts are weight gain, pregnancy, implants, or fat injections. Weight gain and pregnancy can be ruled out as a permanent enhancement technique, but implants are the gold standard, with fat injections on the horizon as a promising technique.
The issues with fat injections currently are whether adequate volume can be reliably placed and permanently incorporated into the breast tissue, and more importantly, if this can be done without confounding surveillance of breast...
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+1
Alternatives to breast implants
There are the scamming ones of herbals and massages+exercises. The 'BRAVA' corset full time suction device can slightly improve the fullness but a too high a cost and to long a time use. Recently, self fat transfer is getting interest. This is an operation of liposuction (prefer method is BODY JET LIPO) and using the fat as a injection into the chest wall muscles and fascia. This gives a filling effect but not much increase in size. The hottest topic is adding Stem Cell Enhancement to the...
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+1
I'm scared of Breast Implants- is there another way to enlarge my breasts?
Hi there-
Non-invasive methods to induce breast enlargement either don't produce any change at all, or are (in my educated opinion) dangerous- these involve taking big doses of hormones or hormone inducing medications, with attendant increased risks of multiple types of cancer (uterine, ovarian, breast). If you're afraid of the risks of breast implants, I cannot imagine that taking pills that MAY make your breasts a TINY bit larger but that would elevate your risks of cancers is...
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+1
Non-surgical breast augmentation
Natural remedies really do not work. There is a surgical technique using fat transfer to the breast instead of implants that is being used for breast augmentation. It is a new procedure and we do not know yet the long-term follow-up on these patients. If you are nervous about plastic surgery, talk to your plastic surgeon and other patients. The more information you have, the more in control you will be and you will be confident about your decisions. Hope this helps.
+1
Alternatives to breast implants
Thanks for the question.
At present, breast implants remain the gold standard modality for breast augmentation. While there are quantifiable risks associated with augmentation mammoplasty, the results are highly predictable and reproducible, and most patients do quite well and are very satisfied with the experience of the procedure. While fat transfer to the breasts is enjoying increasing popularity, the procedure is still very much considered to be in the investigational stages....
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+1
Alternatives to breast implants
Breast implants remain the gold standard for Breast Augmentation.
Under research is Fat Transfer. This is still under investigation and many issues need to be clarified first.
If you have any fear or concerns regarding Breast Implants, then DO NOT DO THE SURGERY.
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1
Alternatives to breast implants
We are confident in our technique of fat grafting. We are now using it on patients who have had breast cancer removed with irradiation to the breast with good results. In these cases, the opposite normal breast gets augmented. No problems so far.
Fat injections are ideal for somebody who wants a small augmentation, but using their own natural body tissues. The technique is enhanced if you use stem cell concentrated fat. Check the video below
Check out my post below on the subject
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+1
There are no useful alternatives to breast implants.
Hi.
Breast implants are the best and safest option for making breasts larger and shapelier. Fat injections for breast augmentation are still in the experimental stage, and I think they should be avoided for now.
+1
Altenatives for breast implants
The breast implants, I feel, are still the best choice to increase the size of your breast. The problem with injecting fat into the breast is that it can form calcification's and or some of the fat can necroses (when some fat cells die). This can make it more difficult in reading a mammogram. Fat is very soft tissue and usually the reason you are having a breast augmentation is to give the breast a fuller look and the fat tends to settle towards the bottom of the breast. Last but not least...
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Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1
Breast Implants your best option for breast enlargement
The most reliable, predictable and long lasting method for breast enlargement is the use of breast implants. This does require surgery. The risks associated with this surgery are very small.
Another option is fat transfer to the breast. This is a more controversial procedure and again requires surgery with some of the same risks as breast augmentation with breast implants.
Truely non-surgical options are such things as lifting bras, bra inserts and other clothing modifications. They...
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+1
A change in body image can be scary
You state that plastic surgery scares you. That can be true for several reasons. First, most of us have certain issues with our body image that, given the opportunity, we would like to change. This can be a very positive experience and enhance self-confidence and social experiences. This is not "vanity" but simply part of the human experience. The scary part can be: fear of surgery, fear of anesthesia, fear of an unacceptable and irreversible result, fear of surgical...
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+1
Non-surgical breast enhancement
Unfortunately, there are no non-surgical breast enhancement options that are proven effective and safe. AS others here have written, more work is being done to examine the usefulness and safety of fat injection into the breast -- this still is a surgical procedure though much less invasive.
One of the problems with the several "non-surgical" options that you may see in magazines or TV is that their safety is unproven. Even if they did work (which most professionals don't...
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+1
Not really
There are some efforts to transfer fat by injection for breast enlargement. This remains experimental with all the ramifications not completely understood. I am skeptical that it will ever become a mainstream treatment.
Breast augmentation is actually very safe. Most patients are delighted with the results. The procedure is reversible, but I almost never am requested to remove implants. I would suggest you sit down with a competent board certified plastic surgeon and have a thorough...
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+1
Alternatives to Breast Augmentation.
There are no viable alternatives to breast augmentation with breast implants, although non surgical alternatives exist. If you are concerned about plastic surgery, I would advise you to gain a better understanding of risks and that should help allay your fears. Plastic surgery is not for everyone.
+1
Alternatives to breast implants
There are a few options to breast implants. A patient can have fat transfer which is a good option you just need to have a surgeon with experience with this method. The other option is the brava bra. Both are alternatives but implants are still the gold standard.
Dr Hedden
+1
Natural Breast Augmentation
Breast implants are the gold standard to increase the size of the breasts. Fat transfer to the breast is gaining in popularity. This requires the removal of fat from one area of the body like the abdomen or thighs and reinjecting the fat into the breast. This is a more time consuming and involved procedure. With this approach comes the risks of lipolysis and the risks of the fat transfer. I would recommend you have a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your...
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+1
Nonsurgical options to enhance breasts are unpredictable
The other consultants have categorized breast enhancement options as:
a) Nonmedical: wearing push up bras +/- gel inserts; weight gain, hormonal changes (menopause) and aging will also increase the volume but not necessarily the 'perkiness" of the breast.
b) "Medical": using homeopathic creams, which aren't regulated and produce erratic results, if any. BRAVA system, which produces modest results.
c) "Surgical": Fat transfers are increasingly being used in breast...
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+1
Few alternatives to Implants for Breast Enlargement
Possibilites are Brava systems vacum device, fat injections from somewhere else, or in Europe there is some early use of Macrolane (similar to Restylane) injections into the breast fro enlargement.
+1
Breast implants are the best option to enhance one's breasts
Several althernatives exist although not necessarily ideal. One common option is water bras or padded bras or gel inserts. Other options would include hormonal pills. The Brava system has been around for over 10 years; however, this does not appear to have caught on. Results are not similar to breast implants. Autologous fat grafting is gaining more attention especially for breast defects encountered in the breast reconstruction patient. We must be cautious in being too enthusiastic about...
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+1
Natural or green way to enlarge breasts
Although the other answers are all true, the future opiton in breast aurmentation may be using your own fat removed from one part of the body and placed into the breasts using micro fat grafting. Although performed in limited places in europe, the only hope of this in the USA is under study conditions. Stay tuned.
+1
Hard to beat breast implants
Reproducible, reliable, and affordable.
Three words that make breast implants still the method of choice for increasing breast volume.
Keep your eye on fat grafting, but look for an experienced plastic surgeon before considering this method.
+1
Alternatives to breast implants
There are no proven, effective ways to enhance your bust without the use of breast implants. There is a device called BRAVA which uses the principle of vacuum suction on the breast tissue however this must be used every day, for many hours a day without fail in order to get what most would consider a mild change.
Fat transfer to the breast has gained some popularity recently. However this is not widely accepted at this time as it can make mammographic interpretation quite difficult as the...
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+1
Alternatives to Breast Augmentation
There are some out there as stated, but non have really proven to be worth while. Either they dont work or if they do work they only result in small improvement or volume change.
Autologous fat grafting is still a bit scary and I would not recommend it at this point. This is when fat is removed from elsewhere and injected into the breast tissue.
Good luck.
+1
Fat injection for breast enhancement
There has been a renewed interest in injecting your own body fat into the breasts to increase the size. Not many surgeons are performing this on a regular basis for routine breast augmentation. Dr. Roger Khouri in Miami has one of the largest series. The process is best when done in stages.
The first step is gradual expansion of the breast tissues with an external vacuum device, followed by at least one or two sessions of liposuction to collect fat that is then injected into the breasts....
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