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.

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.

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