Is it advisable to gain weight before fat transfer procedure?

Question

I’m very lean 5’4” and 113 lbs. I want to have fat transfer to my breast after explanting my 350cc silicone implants. I am thinking about gaining some weight before the surgery, so there is more fat available for the transfer. Will that be a good idea? Also, planing to do the explanation and fat transfer at the same time. Thank you!!!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear kiky33,
most plastic surgeons won't recommend you to gain weight just for BBL surgery. Generally speaking, you want to reach your goal weight before you consider a BBL, otherwise your results will be suboptimal if you continue to lose weight after the surgery. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Scott Farber, MD, FACS · Answer

It is important to consult with your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon before undergoing any cosmetic procedure. Most patients who undergo liposuction have enough healthy fat to be used for fat grafting elsewhere on their body to add volume and improve contour. Many patients wonder if they should put on a few extra pounds prior to a fat transfer procedure. It is better to go into surgery at a stable weight. After surgery, be aware that the fat injected into the breasts will naturally act the same as the fat everywhere else in your body. If your weight changes, so will the projection and contour of your breasts. If you lose weight, it is likely that you will lose some projection and alter the contour. If you gain weight, the shape, contour and projection of breasts will act accordingly. Consult with your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to see what they recommend for your specific needs.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

In general, 200 cc per breast is typically the upper limit of fat injection recommended by most plastic surgeons.  It is not that more cannot be injected; but on average, this has been determined to be the most that can be expected to live during one transfer.  Fat is injected through multiple planes in small amounts to the tissue through one tiny incision under each breast.    In general, the abdomen and thighs are preferred donor sites.Good results can be obtained in thinner patients. This is largely dependent upon the skill of the surgeon, his/her ability to remove fat without creating contour deformities, and your expectations. You would need a consultation to determine the available fat stores.
Obtain a stable weight and then seek out a plastic surgeon with a reputation for performing these procedures effectively in thinner patients.Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

I know some surgeons will recommend weight gain so there is more fat for fat transfer.  I don’t like the idea at all.  First of all fat transfer doesn’t work nearly as well as you might think.  At best you can get maybe 100 cc to take.  Then you will have to try to Lise weight again and the transferred fat will shrink further.  I’ve also seen patients who have done this and never lost the weight after fat transfer.  Very bad idea in my opinion.

Luis A. Cenedese, MD, FACS · Answer

Lean patients may not have enough fat to make a significant difference.  Only 40% of aspirate is suitable for fat transfer. Typically 60 % of transferred fat will survive.  200 cc of fat is typically safely injected during one session. Thus 1000cc must be aspirated to obtain 200cc for injection.  Two sessions may be required to replace 350cc implants.Please consult in person with an experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon prior to making treatment decisions.

Norman Bakshandeh Day, MD, FACS · Answer

No I do not recommend weight gain prior to surgery. The fat grafts work just as well or better when the grafted cells are smaller.

Ariel Nieblas, MD · Answer

Good day and thanks for your question. Because you say you are lean, I assume your breast tissue is also thin, so I don´t recommend fat transfer in the same procedure as the implants removal because the available area to put in the fat graft is thin and there´s a risk of fat migration to the empty pocket where your implants were, if this happens the fat will die and you'll end up with a seroma. It's best to do the fat transfer after some months have passed from the implant removal. Now gaining weight it´s only advisable if  you are decided to keep yourself in that diet for the rest of your life so you can keep the extra weight, otherwise the fat will disappear when you lose that extra weight in some months. Best of lucks.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

No, it is not best to try and gain fat just to have enough for a transfer. Typically, you will then loose the fat once you have healed from surgery and your breasts will be smaller. If you do not have enough fat for a transfer, then a fat transfer is probably not in your best interest. You might want to consider going done in size with your implants.

Is it advisable to gain weight before fat transfer procedure?

Answers (8)

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