What is a good breast implant alternative for patients with autoimmune skin condition pemphigus vulgaris?

Fat grafting can be utilized to enhance the size of the breasts. In this procedure, fat is removed from other areas of the body with liposuction and then re-injected into the breasts. While this procedure can be very effective, it unfortunately depends on the amount of fat that you will have to graft. In other words, if you are a relatively skinny person this may not provide you with enough tissue to effectively increase the size of the breasts.

Hello,

Thank you for the question.

Fat transfer to the breasts procedure also known as breast lipofilling can help increase breast volume and projection without placing breast implants. This is usually done through tiny incisions with minimal scarring. It also allows improvement of contour in the areas where the liposuction is performed in order to harvest the fat for transfer.

It is a relatively safe procedure with low risk of complications.

Fat transfer to the breasts also known as breast lipofilling can help increase breast volume and projection, and can be performed together with other breast procedures. It should not affect your breast feeding potential.

In general, about 50-70% of transferred fat will survive after the surgery and the fat that does survive will act like normal fat. Often, more than one fat transfer session is required to achieve desired results.

I suggest that you seek an in person consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon specializing in Breast surgeries to further discuss your options, specific techniques, concerns and expectations. Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.

I hope this helps.

Best, Dr. Karanetz

Dr. Irena Karanetz
Breast Fellowship Trained
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Unfortunately, you have not provided photographs or told us your bra size. Certainly, fat transfer is an alternative for you. Also, repositioning the breasts with a breast lift will reshape the breast and create projection.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Dear Lnish,
if you don't want breast implants, then fat transfer might be an option for you. Fat transfer breast augmentation is a viable alternative for women who desire larger breasts without the use of implants. Fat transfer is also widely used in reconstruction of the breast after a mastectomy or lumpectomy. It can also be very effective in correcting the size and shape of the breasts due to genetic problems such as tuberous breast or Poland Syndrome, two conditions that look like misshapen or underdeveloped breasts.In addition, the following scenarios are also reason to consider breast fat grafting:• If you have chest areas that appear creased and sunken• If you desire more permanent correction than is provided by temporary fillers• If you wish to improve your body contour, revise scars, fill bodily depressions and rejuvenate the natural curve of your breasts• To fill in contour irregularities or hide obvious signs of breast implantsYou should discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon and make sure your surgeon understands your concerns and your breast augmentation goals. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

The only "alternative" to breast implants is a fat transfer. However, fat is not always retained and both breasts may not keep equal amounts of fat. Also, the volume obtained with fat is much less than with implants.

If you are not interested in breast implants the other option is fat transfer. However it is important to note that grafted fat may form microcalcifications that could interfere with future mammography. I encourage you to meet with a board certified plastic surgeon near you to discuss your desired look and to learn more about options.

There is no concrete evidence linking Breast implants with auto immune disease.
For those to believe there is an association the likelihood of having vague symptoms of breast implant illness is far more likely.
Those who are more fact oriented and don’t believe there is an association are more Likely to be content with implant augmentation outcomes without vague side effects.
Just like patients have different views on the subject plastic surgeons will as well.
The implant manufactures type their warnings very carefully, basically putting all of the responsibility on patients and providers.
Augmentation options are basically saline implants, silicone implants, or fat grafting.
Fat grafting is a viable way to make breast larger, The procedure is inherently limited and cannot deliver what implants can.
Fat transfer can increase breast size by approximately 50% if done by an experienced provider.
Well done fat transfer can give a modest increase in breast size. The procedure has little impact on breast shape.
When considering fat transfer, it’s very important to have a clear distinction if the problem is breast shape or merely breast size.
The two are very different.
Implants create both shape and size.
Implants create breast, projection, and volume in the upper half of the breast in a way that fat transfer can not.
Those are basically the three options for cosmetic breast augmentation.
I suggest having a few in person consultations with plastic surgeons in your community to get a quality assessment and better understanding of treatment options.
When it comes to fat transfer, there is significant discrepancy among providers in regards to attitude, skill, and experience for the procedure.
Breast fat transfer is always done in conjunction with Liposuction.
For those considering this procedure, it’s important to not only get an assessment for both Liposuction and fat transfer, but also to vet providers in regards to skills for both of the procedures.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD