How accurate is cc estimation during fat transfer to breast consultation? (Photos)

Question

I had 2 consultations for fat transfer to the breast. The first, who has experience on thin patients, estimated 1/2-1 cup enlargement and circled inner thighs and lower back as harvest areas (we didn't discuss cc's). The other surgeon was hesitant and said he could likely only get 75-100cc per breast, which seems too low for any visible enlargement. I was surprised because while I am slim, I have seen success stories for women my size or thinner. Do you agree with cc estimate? Is that reliable?

Joel Patrick Maier, MD · Answer

Fat transfer is a great option to enhance and shape your breast. I would bet that treatment of your abdomen, hips and waist /- your inner thighs would yield at least 300 ml pure fat in each breast. That would be a good amount of volume for your anatomy and with good injection technique, you can expect near 90% fat take. Thank you for sharing.

Brian Bassiri-Tehrani, MD · Answer

This is a good question. The amount of fat transferred is only half the battle since only about 50-60% of the fat transferred will survive. For example, even if 100cc was injected into each breast, about 50-60cc of fat at best will survive on the long run. The amount of fat that does survive, however, will be long lasting and permanent (as long as your weight stay stable - it will shrink if you lose weight and can grow if you gain weight). Approximating 75-100cc per breast seems reasonable given your body figure, however it is important to know that you may need multiple fat transfer surgeries to get up to a full cup size bigger in the breast. Your body figure is slender and you may not have enough fat to get to the ultimate size you desire, so it is important to know you will not be significantly bigger immediately - it is a journey that may require multiple procedures and patience. Hope this helps!

Peter D. Geldner, MD · Answer

I would like to address your questions and perhaps suggest that both surgeons could be correct. First, not all the far which we transfer will survive and retain volume. So we rely on our literature and experience. Fat harvest sites are chosen based on where you have excess volume and could benefit form the liposuction. I suggest that anywhere between 50% and 70% of the transferred volume will persist. Some of my colleagues are more optimistic and some occasionally get better survival. Second, fat cell volume is quite effected by one's weight. So if you gain weight, your fat cells get bigger. If you loose weight, they will shrink. Each surgeon will estimate the potential fat harvest volume and translate that to cup size. Based on the literature, each cup size volume will be between 125 to 150 cc for an average patient. Any reasonable surgeon is happy to perform a fat transfer for a patient who has a reasonable expectation and is a good physical candidate (health and anatomy). Silicone or saline implants remain stable over time; fat changes. So if your desire is to undergo breast enhancement but want to avoid implants, fat transfer is the best option available. My only caution is to make sure you are consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon who is being cautious and honest.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

Although fat transfer is popular these days the truth of the matter is that it dies t work as well as you might think. Give it a try if you like but keep your Expectations very modest.  It’s a hit or miss procedure at best

Sean Fisher, MD · Answer

It can be very difficult to give an accurate assessment of final size increase will be with fat grafting, especially in thinner patients. The amount available for injection is completely dependent on how much fat is obtained and the quality of the fat. To increase 1 cup size typically takes approximataly 120-130cc of added volume... this means that for fat grafting, roughly double this would need to be injected if the goal is for a full cup-size increase. Additionally, only a portion of what is removed is suitable for fat grafting. In thinner patients, I tend to avoid making promises of exactly how much fat we will obtain. The more areas that are targeted with liposuction, the higher likelihood of being able to obtain enough for this amount of volume. However this increases surgical sites and recovery times. 
Sean M Fisher MD

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

You are thin and do not appear to have much fat. The volume of 75-100 cc's is about a half a cup increase in most women your size. If you want more, you will need implants. Plus, not all the fat transferred survives.

Kenneth R. Francis, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear Adventurous,
An estimate is indeed just that...an estimate.  And even if the estimate of cc's of fat harvested turns out to be accurate, with autologous fat transfer to the breast almost all bets are off on exactly how much fat will survive.  Unlike the buttocks, the breasts are metabolic glands and fat transfer to them is less predictable.  In general, most plastic surgeons will say that the largest breast enhancement we can achieve with fat transfer is approximately 1 bra cup size, almost regardless of how much fat is put in there.  Good luck!

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Very nicely posted series of photos. You appear to be a good candidate for Pat transfer after liposuction depress under ultrasound, guided injection. The volume of cc available depends not only on fat stores areas for Lipo and techniques use. But also techniques use for injection, layering, effective injectionsand healing effect. Best to do in person or virtual consultations. Based on those photos posted you appear to have enough to obtain at least 300 to 350 cc of injected fat. As for survival of this fat this is unsure only doing the surgery and allowing three weeks of pure healing time. Will you be able to attain an accurate result of retain cc? , and healing effect. Best to do in person or virtual consultations. Based on those photos posted you appear to have enough fat to obtain at least 300 to 350 cc of injected fat. As for survival of this fat this is unsure only doing the surgery and allowing three weeks of pure healing time. Will you be able to attain an accurate result of retain cc.  Again best to virtual consult with expect fees to be in the eight to $10,000 range

How accurate is cc estimation during fat transfer to breast consultation? (Photos)

Answers (8)

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