Can post fat transfer fat cells relocate in the body to new areas, causing weight gain where the body formerly did not?

Question

I want to have breast augmentation surgery via fat grafting, but my concern is that since 100% of the fat does not remain in the breast, that it redistribute to a foreign area of the body where weight gain was not formerly typical. For example, if I have fat harvested from my thighs, I am worried that the fat cells that leave my breasts after augmentation travel to my belly or arms rather than going back to my thighs where it is accustomed to being. Should I be at all concerned with this?

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

I think there are many other valid concerns about fat grafting to the breasts.  This would not be one on my list.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD, FACS · Answer

There is very little data on what happens to the fat once grafted to the breasts, and make sure you understand completely all of the risk of fat grafting to your breasts before having the procedure.

Jaime Campos Leon, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.Fat cells do not travel to any parts of the body, fat cells multiply by gaining weight. The absorption process is not gaining weight.

Deborah Ekstrom, MD · Answer

Fortunately, fat cells transplanted to one area do not travel elsewhere.  The only way you would get more bulk in a particular area after fat transfer to the breast is if you gain weight.(The living fat cells in your breast will get bigger too if that happens, just like in someone who had the fat naturally in their breasts).  The reason your breast doesn't maintain the exact size that it is after surgery is that some of the fat cells die. (Fat transfer is a true transplantation of tissue, just like a skin graft, and some of the cells don't grow a blood supply in time to survive. Those cells that don't survive get reabsorbed by your body and excreted or metabolized).Sometimes the cells die and just the liquid fat part of the fat cell remains, leaving behind an  "oil cyst".  As far as we know, these don't cause any particular problem.I hope this helps you understand better how fat transfer to the breast works.  Good luck with your research and I hope you get the outcome you are looking for!

Frederic H. Corbin, MD (license restricted) · Answer

Transplanted fat does not travel from your body from one area to another but weight gain can cause areas of your body to enlarge where formally the weight might have gone to your thighs - your breasts too might disproportionately get largerDr Corbin

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Thank you for your question.  If you gain weight the fat that is transferred to your breasts may enlarge an increase the size of your breasts.However fat that is transplanted to your breast will not move to other areas of the body

Can post fat transfer fat cells relocate in the body to new areas, causing weight gain where the body formerly did not?

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More Breast Fat Transfer Questions

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Can post fat transfer fat cells relocate in the body to new areas, causing weight gain where the body formerly did not?

Answers (6)

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