Fat grafting to breasts to fix deflation? (Photo)

Question

After breastfeeding my breasts lost some volume and they feel deflated (when skin is pinched or stretched) im NOT looking to get implants put in because I really worry that i would end up with BII as I do suffer from an autoimmune disease. And i feel like a lift w/o implants would just leave me with breasts that are disproportionate to my body not to mention the horrible scar. So my question is : would i benefit from fat transfer? Or is there a procedure that could help with tightening the skin

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Philosophical6160,
fat transfer breast augmentation is a viable alternative for women who desire larger breasts without the use of implants. Fat transfer is also widely used in reconstruction of the breast after a mastectomy or lumpectomy. It can also be very effective in correcting the size and shape of the breasts due to genetic problems such as tuberous breast or Poland Syndrome, two conditions that look like misshapen or underdeveloped breasts.In addition, the following scenarios are also reason to consider breast fat grafting:• If you have chest areas that appear creased and sunken• If you desire more permanent correction than is provided by temporary fillers• If you wish to improve your body contour, revise scars, fill bodily depressions and rejuvenate the natural curve of your breasts• To fill in contour irregularities or hide obvious signs of breast implantsYou should discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon and make sure your surgeon understands your concerns and your breast augmentation goals. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Joel Patrick Maier, MD · Answer

I would recommend a breast lift . . . I understand the fear that you will be too small, but a properly done mastopexy will remove the heavy, lower aspect of the breast enabling the highest, tightest, most durable result.  It is not uncommon that we see cases where volume is added to "lift" the breast, but down the road, you end up larger and more ptotic and we are back to square one . . . Deserves some thought and consultations to determine what direction you want to take. Thank you.

Elizabeth Kiwanuka, MD, PhD · Answer

Given your concerns about implants and scarring, fat transfer could be a viable option to restore volume and improve breast shape without introducing foreign materials. Fat transfer uses your body's own fat cells to augment the breasts, offering a natural-looking and potentially longer-lasting solution compared to implants.
Additionally, fat transfer can help improve skin quality and texture by introducing healthy fat cells into the breast tissue. While fat transfer may not provide the same level of lift as a traditional breast lift, it can improve breast fullness and overall contour, potentially minimizing the appearance of sagging or deflation.
However, it's essential to have realistic expectations about the results of fat transfer. Multiple sessions may be necessary to achieve your desired outcome, and not all of the transferred fat cells may survive long-term. Additionally, while fat transfer generally results in minimal scarring compared to breast lift surgery, there may still be some minor scarring at the donor sites where fat is harvested.
Ultimately, the decision to undergo fat transfer or explore other procedures should be based on a thorough discussion with your surgeon, taking into account your medical history, preferences, and desired outcome. By working closely with a qualified plastic surgeon, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your needs and helps you achieve the look you desire.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

The technique I recommend is a lift using The Bellesoma Method. This will reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage. Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained. Later, fat transfers can be performed if additional volume is desired.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Tyler Frew, MD · Answer

Hi there,
Yes you can benefit from fat grafting alone to your breasts. Fat grafting is less powerful than an implant overall so the results are more subtle. It can increase your breast buy about 1 cup size.
If you want your breasts higher and perkier then you will need a breast lift and you always have the option of getting a breast lift and fat grafted at the same time.
There are some reports of people using renuvion or bodytite to perform a scarless breast lift however this also shows more mild results but could be an option for you
All the best

Joseph Mlakar, MD · Answer

You could do a fat transfer to the breasts, the downfall of fat transfer to the breast is you only keep about 80% of the volume that is placed so it is not a "consistent" post op expectation like an implant would be. Speaking with your plastic surgeon of choice to go over your expectations is your best bet

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

From 1994 to 2006, the Adjunct trials were conducted in the USA, enrolling over 110,000 women and following them for ten years. Prior to the end of the study and based on available data, the FDA approved silicone gel implants because the data showed definitive proof that silicone gel implants do not cause or exacerbate autoimmune diseases, which is why women with autoimmune diseases are approved to get silicone gel implants. BII, a series of symptoms that does not qualify as an actual disease and distinct from true autoimmune diseases, has been thoroughly examined in prospective trials showing that there is no medical reason why a small fraction of women have subjective symptoms, but instead showed that women who believe they have symptoms from their implants are more likely to get their information from the internet and not from doctors. Other studies have shown that women who don't use social media like Facebook will never get BII. What you need to know is that whether you choose fat (more involved due to the need to perform liposuction) or implants, you'll need a breast lift.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

You can try fat transfer to the breasts. Fat transfer to the breasts doesn’t work nearly as well as you may believe so keep your expectations very modest

Asu Deniz Burhanoglu, MD · Answer

We could fix the deflation on your breast by fat grafting. We would take your existing body fat from areas such as inner or outer thighs, tummy or etc. by liposuction and transfer that fat into your breasts. This procedure has better results when its enriched with stem cell transfers as a result of the stem cells reducing stretch marks, increasing skin's quality and ensuring the longevity of the fat transfer process.

Serkan Kaya Ekinci, MD · Answer

Fat injection into the breasts to correct the sagging is performed without any risk, you do not need to hesitate, after your surgeon talks to you and decides that you are the appropriate patient.By applying breast reduction and collection to breast tissue, it is possible to get smaller and steeper breasts than before. The surgery takes between 2 and 3 hours according to the chosen technique. It is possible to return to normal life with 4 days of rest. Sagging in some breasts, unlike the images above, may be highly impaired the shape of the breast. This situation is usually seen in people who have problems gaining weight gain in addition to birth and breastfeeding. In these people, similar evaluations are made, the surgical technique is selected and the breast shape is beautified.