How low is too low percentage of body fat for fat transfer to the breasts?

At 5'8 and 157 lbs, your BMI is 24 and you should have adequate fat for transfer. The fat can be found on the anterior thighs if no other areas are available. Unfortunately, you have not provided photographs or told us your bra size. If you are size 32 or 34, each 100 cc of fat corresponds to 1 cup size change. If you are size 36 or 38, each 200 cc of fat corresponds to 1 cup size change. However, not all the fat survives so you will need 150 cc for size 32 or 34 and 200 cc for size 36 or 38.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Given your height and weight you should have enough fat for a nice result. Skimming fat from multiple areas and staying deep near the muscle is safer in thin patients for harvesting fat.

Some of the retention rate will depend upon the amount of fat transferred, as smaller volumes will likely have a higher survival. Occasionally, a patient can resorb a great deal of the fat despite optimal transfer procedures. Thinner patients are outstanding candidates in my opinion, because the fat transferred is extremely resistant. 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.

Dear Sensible453705,
generally speaking, you want to reach your goal weight before you consider a fat transfer, 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

Please don't try to gain weight just to have a fat transfer. Once transferred, you may find that your weight goes back to normal and you loose the fat. If you have available fat now, then you can have the transfer.