Will having fibrocystic breasts affect my ability for a breast fat transfer?

Question

I am looking to have a fat transfer to my breasts sometime next year. My breasts become rather swollen and lumpy prior to menstruation, sometimes for a couple of weeks. I'm wondering what if any effects this would have with a breast fat transfer. Thanks!

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

In and of itself, fibrocystic breasts should not impact breast augmentation or the outcome of the surgery.  You should continue with annual mammograms for early detection of any breast lumps.

Peter D. Geldner, MD · Answer

Having fibrocystic breasts should not be a problem with fat transfer. Assuming that you have been carefully evaluated by your doctor (preferably with a mammogram), your condition can be problematic but not dangerous. Fat is placed in various levels into the breast during a transfer. When placed smoothly, the contour of your beast should remain natural. If your condition is more severe with bulges that can easily be felt or seen, it might make fat transfer more difficult. Since your condition is worse before your period, I would advise you to schedule your surgery after the swelling has resolved. That way, the transient swelling of your breasts can interfere less with the planning of your surgery. Your breasts can still be swollen periodically, but they should have a better shape and volume.

John L. Burns Jr., MD · Answer

Dense glandular breast tissue can be helpful with breast fat transfer due to a robust blood supply in recipient tissue.  We recommend a pre-operative mammogram to establish normal breast anatomy prior to placement of the fat graft.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear BigDreams6147,
Benign breast conditions are not a contraindication for 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

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Even though you have fibrocystic breasts, you can still have fat grafting. I would suggest getting a recent mammagram before the grafting.

Douglas Taranow, DO, FACOS · Answer

Having fibrocystic breast tissue may make it a bit more difficult to inject the fat into your breasts.  The fibrocystic areas are more dense and it is difficult to get the cannula through those areas to inject the fat.  Your surgeon will just have to improvise and direct the fat into the softer areas of the breast.Dr T

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

having fibrocystic breasts can decrease the amount of fat that can be successfully transferred to some degree. Firm breast tissue does not serve as Good post tissue for grafting into.When doing these procedures I typically graft in many different layers. These typically Start below the breast in the pectoralis muscle, subglandular space, breast parenchyma, Parenchyma adipose tissue interface, the fat layers, subdermal and dermal.If you have adequate soft tissue over the dense breast tissue then you may have sufficient soft tissue to support sufficient grafted fat volumes. If someone is more skin with very little fat over hard breast tissue then it’s harder to get a sufficient amount of fat to survive. Today I did a fat breast fat transfer and I was able to Graft through the center of the breast tissue which sometimes I can and sometimes I can’t. Typically I cannot in someone with fibrocystic breast.Because fibrocystic breast it’s not an all or none condition it varies from patient to patient.Best, Mats Hagstrom MD

Will having fibrocystic breasts affect my ability for a breast fat transfer?

Answers (7)

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