Lumps and Infection After Fat Transfer to Breasts

Question

I think I've been conned. Doctor and nurse assured me I could do smart lipo and transfer to breasts (transfer only costing an extra $500). Like an idiot, I did it last week. Felt large, hard lumps in breast and asked dr about it, he said it was normal. Today one became infected and he called in cipro. I'm scared and don't know who to call for sound advice & helping me fix this in any way I can. Am I in danger? He said the lumps go away. I'm scared I'll be deformed or even harmed from this.

Daniel A. Medalie, MD · Answer

HI,

	Fat transfer can work well to the breasts, but it must be done correctly-if too much fat is placed in any one spot it does not have an adequate blood supply and dies (the laser lipolysis is also fairly destructive and not the best modality for fat transfer). When the fat dies, it results in an inflammatory response that can form a hard lump. Over time much of the fat can be reabsorbed by your body, so the lumps can and will improve significantly. At this point, especially given the fact that you may also have an infection, it is difficult to say what the final result will be. It is quite possible that everything will resolve and you will be ok, but if the infection does not clear up quickly you should seek a second opinion from a different plastic surgeon (make sure he or she is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery).

	Hope this helps,

	Regards,

	D. Medalie, MD

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

If fat removed by laser assisted liposuction was injected into your breasts, death of the fat is predictable and infection is not unexpected. Your body should be able to clean up the dead fat and the bacteria but I would seek the consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon.

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

You WERE conned by an unscrupulous and unethical doctor, or you were unfortunate enough to be operated on by an idiot (strong words, I know) who doesn't even understand the basics of how SmartLipo works AND how fat grafting is done properly. This does not sound like the work of an ABPS-certified plastic surgeon, and once you get the mastitis properly treated (by someone other than this doctor), you should report this doctor to the state medical board, and perhaps consider other options as well.

	But first, you must have proper treatment as the injected fat was simply dead material injected into your breasts, which consist of ducts with bacteria in them. Or, infection could have been introduced by the actual injection. Cipro is a good broad-spectrum antibiotic, but you should be seen by a board-certified (American Board of Plastic Surgery) plastic surgeon for possible aspiration, culture, and appropriate antibiotic therapy.

	Your breasts may develop scar tissue and irregularity where the dead fat was injected, and this can cause calcifications that can interfere with the detection of breast cancer by mammogram (and physical examination, because of the lumps). This infected dead fat MAY be adequately treated with Cipro, but it also depends on how much fat overall and how much fat in single locations was injected, which bacteria are causing your mastitis, and how well the antibiotic can get to the areas of dead fat injection.

	If you want larger breasts, please research breast implants. As you have found out, dead fat is NOT "natural" breast enlargement.

	Please see another plastic surgeon now. Please stop this doctor from doing this again to someone else. Good luck, and let any of us know if we can help further.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

If you were promised to have fat transfer to your breasts with SmartLipo then you were fooled by someone who doesn't know what they're doing or intentionally deceived you. SmartLipo is laser assisted liposuction. The LASER melts the fat to allow for easier aspiration. However, melting fat kills it. It is absolutely useless for transfer to another area such as breasts. I strongly recommend you check the credentials of the individual that treated you!

Sincerely,

Martin Jugenburg, MD

Sincerely,

Martin Jugenburg, MD

Bivik Shah, MD · Answer

I know you are scared and angry right now - but although the fat transfer may not work because of the Smart Lipo or other technique related problems, your infection will clear up quickly and the lumps will get softer over time. You will be okay! And after you are better, you can still have fat transfer or implant-based augmentation and get the breasts you have always wanted. Hang in there!

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Fat injection to the breasts has to be done correctly for it to be succesful. Harvesting needs to be done correctly and gently, and insertion has to be done carefully and evenly. But, yes lumps can occur.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD · Answer

Laser lipo destroys fat cell and should be used for the fat grafting to the breast. The use of fat for the breast require experience and I would guess your doctor was tiring to gain the experience. Pleas make sure to see a board certified plastic surgeon to treat you. you will be fine..

Erel Laufer, MD · Answer

You have mastitis which is a breast infection, it should be treated immediately.

	Call your physisian amd let him see it, you may need more than just antibiotic treatment.

Stephen J. Ronan, MD, FACS · Answer

Fat grafting is a wonderful procedure and will continue to grow in popularity. But, I do not believe it is a good idea to inject SmartLipo aspirated fat into the breast or any other body part! Fat must be removed in a special way to preserve the viability of the fat cells. Using high power suction or laser type lipo mostly certainly destroys the fat. Injecting a large load of dead tissue into the body can lead to problems. You need to see a doctor immediately. Good luck.

Peter E. Johnson, MD · Answer

You are in trouble, and should contact your family doctor and be seen immediately. You may need to see a surgeon to drain the breast, and a culture is needed to make certain that you are on the correct antibiotic. Don't delay.

	Best of luck,

	peterejohnsonmd

Lumps and Infection After Fat Transfer to Breasts

Answers (13)

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