Would you be awake for the breast fat transfer?

Question

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Many physicians will do this to save money on anesthesia, but in many cases, you will need to harvest at least 600 cc of pure fat to perform the procedure.  The liposuction of this amount of fat may be 3 liters of lipoaspirate, and most patients cannot tolerate this with just local anesthesia.  Also, the injection of the fat can be painful as well.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Jaime S. Schwartz, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. No, I perform the procedure under general anesthesia.  About 60-70% of the grafted fat survives.  At 6 months you will have a good idea of your results. Some women have a second or third procedure which continues to increase your volume safely. The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam. Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative breast surgery. Best of luck! Dr. Schwartz Board Certified Plastic Surgeon #RealSelf100Surgeon

James E. Chappell, MD · Answer

Personally I'm not a fan of doing liposuction and fat grafting with the patient awake. In cases of small transfers, certainly that is a possibility. It depends on how much. I would definitely discuss this with your plastic surgeon. Best of luck to you.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD · Answer

The best type of anesthesia depends on the patient, procedure and surgeon. Please see a board certified plastic surgeon for in person evaluation.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Fat transfers can be done awake, however, the Lidocaine volume used to numb might limit the amount of fat transferred. Also, with local anesthesia, there is a limitation of the amount of local anesthetic that can be used. If you want several areas treated with liposuction, you might want to choose general anesthesia.

Would you be awake for the breast fat transfer?

Answers (8)

Answer: General or MAC anesthesia

Answer: General or MAC anesthesia

Answer: Fat transfer

Answer: Fat transfer

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Fat Transfer

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Would you be awake for the breast fat transfer?

Answers (8)

Answer: General or MAC anesthesia

Answer: General or MAC anesthesia

Answer: Fat transfer

Answer: Fat transfer

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Fat Transfer

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.