Liposculpture with fat transfer to breasts vs lipo plus implants - only a small cup increase desired. (Photos)

Question

I am interested in increasing my current 34 A/B breasts to about a C cup, as well as giving myself a more flattering overall shape. I am tall (5'9) and thin everywhere else (135lb), and don't feel that I look proportional. I am considering liposculpture to remove fat from my love handles/waist and having it transferred to my breasts since I only want a modest increase in size. I am worried about implants because they require maintenance every decade or so, if no other complications occur.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

In general, 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. Fat transfer to the breast could improve the fullness of the breast, particularly at the top of the breast. If you want more than a one cup size increase, this may require multiple treatments to reach the size you desire, provided you have enough fat stores available.  Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear llizabethG,based on your photos, you look like a great candidate for a liposuction and breast augmentation. The type of breast augmentation will depend on your goals. If you are looking only for a small increase in size (up to one cup), then you might consider fat transfer. However, if you are looking for a more significant size increase, then you will probably need breast implants.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, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Gregory A. Buford, MD, FACS · Answer

Great question!From the photos that you provided, you would be an excellent candidate for liposuction and breast enhancement.  However, if you are interested in increasing by about 2 cup sizes, you may be hard pressed to find enough fat to accomplish this degree of enhancement and so I would encourage you to look into placement of a sub muscular silicone gel breast implant instead.  Also, despite the numerous posts on the internet about the need to change out your implants every ten years, this is completely false!  You may need to adjust the implants once in your lifetime but the 10-year rule is simply a myth.I encourage you to consult with a local Board Certified Plastic Surgeon experienced in both body contouring as well as breast enhancement.  This way you can discuss your goals to see which procedure(s) will help you achieve your goals.  I hope this helps and wish you the very best!-Gregory A Buford MD FACSBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author

Kamran Khoobehi, MD · Answer

If you desire C cup then you will need implants. You may consider liposuction and fat grafting first and if not happy with the size do implants or second session of fat grafting. Please see the link for fat grafting

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Just based on your photos, to achieve a C cup, you will probably need implants. With fat, you might be able to achieve a B cup. I would suggest meeting with a board certified plastic surgeon and discussing your options.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Based on what you said this appears to be an ideal procedure for you.
There is no objective standards for a cup size.
Based on what I believe it is a C cup I do not believe that's achievable with a single session of fat transfer for you.
Reading some fat on your body and having two sessions of liposuction with fat transfer may get you closer to a C cup.
Cup size is highly subjective.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom M.D.

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD (retired) · Answer

Your consideration of the alternatives of breast implants or fat grafting is worthwhile. Using the fat removed at liposuction to graft to your breasts would be appropriate.  That technique can often add a cup size with fairly good reliability. However, given your photos and your desire to increase 1-1/2 to 2 cup sizes, it is unlikely that there will be sufficient fat from the liposuction to increase your breasts nearly as much as you would like.
Augmenting the breast with fat does depend on the fat taking as a graft. The risks of fat grafting include incomplete graft take that may not produce the full size or shape you were hoping to achieve or uneven take that produces an asymmetry.  In that case, a second grafting procedure might be considered, if there is an adequate donor site (enough fat for liposuction and grafting). Fat harvested during liposuction can't be stored to be used at a later date and we do not now have techniques for using another person's fat (a donor).
You mentioned a concern that breast implants "require maintenance every ten years or so." There is a misconception that implants are to be routinely replaced every 10 years.  Breast implants do not require any special maintenance or replacement at any specific time interval. 
There are many factors to think about in considering breast implants or fat grafting. Your concerns and these alternatives can be discussed in greater detail and specificity during your consultation.

Liposculpture with fat transfer to breasts vs lipo plus implants - only a small cup increase desired. (Photos)

Answers (7)

More Breast Fat Transfer Questions

Is it ok to have caffeine in moderate amounts after breast fat transfers? I am so confused over all the many opinions.

129lbs, 5’4”, no kids. Do I have enough fat for 250cc of fat transfer, to each breast?

How big can you go in fat grafting breast augmentation?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS