Fat transfer to breast. How much fat can be removed from donor site?

Question

During a fat transfer to breast surgery: 1. How much fat can be removed from the donor site? 2. How much fat can be injected into each breast? 3. If I feel I would like bigger breasts after the procedure, can the breasts be re injected at a later date? 4. Can any fat be saved for a later date if I would like more fat in the breasts? Thanks!

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question. Breast fat transfer is a great tool to balance breasts, improve symmetry, and gain up to one cup size in volume. 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. Multiple transfers would be required for additional cc's. In general, the abdomen and thighs are preferred donor sites but fat from other areas can be used. The fat must be injected through multiple planes in small amounts to the tissue through one tiny incision under each breast. About 50% of the fat obtains permanence.

Casey Anderson, MD, FACS · Answer

1. There is not a real limit to the fat that can be removed other than the amount of fat that you start with.
2. Generally each breast can tolerate about 100-300 cc of fat.
3. Multiple rounds of fat transfer can be done given sufficient healing time between.
4. Fat cannot currently be saved. If you are desiring multiple rounds, it's wise to be selective where you take the fat from each time.

Best of luck! As always, be sure to research who performs your surgery to ensure the best likelihood of a positive result.

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

These are all awesome breast fat grafting questions.....let me see if I can help...

1) Depends on the donor site. The most common areas are abdomen, flanks, lower back but any area can be used and the amount harvested depends on patient and technique

2) Once again, depends. But the important thing to remember is that fat transfer has to have somewhere to live and survive so as you inject more and more, a less and less percentage will survive. There is a point of diminishing returns. A general rule of thumb is that about a one cup size improvement can be obtained in any one session. There are things that can optimize this like pre-expansion but that is a whole different conversation....

3) A fat transfer can be repeated in multiple stages to gradually increase the size. Once again, the one cup size per session is a good rule of thumb for expectations.

4) No. In general fat needs to be used ASAP. It is a living graft and to survive it needs to find a good healthy home immediately. Tissue cells like this can be stored and re-animated for certain needs but in general this has not been studied for in-vivo use and would be much too closely.

Hope this helps!

Dallas Buchanan, MD, FACS 
Owner & Plastic Surgeon 
VIVIFY plastic surgery

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

In my experience most women who want breast augmentation don't really have enough fat available to permit this by liposuction and fat transfer. When an area suction, anticipating transfer or not, the suction is performed until no further fat is coming out. That is the endpoint. In the occasional patient that I take care of using fat for augmentation exclusively all of it is used.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

There are no standard guidelines regarding how much fat can or should be injected. Although you can have the procedure done a second or third time, your fat can not be saved fir this purpose. You would need more fat harvested at the time of the second procedure.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Optimistic1731,
fat transfer can be a good option for a moderate increase in size. Implants are a better option for a bigger increase in size. There are limitations regarding the maximal amount of harvested fat and it varies between states. You can get a revision later and add more fat but fat can't be stored for a second procedure. 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

Not every fat cell can be safely removed from the donor site. The volume injected is based upon how much fat is available to inject and the size of the breasts. Small breasts cannot hold as much as large breasts. Fat cannot be saved, except in you, but you can have the procedure repeated for more volume.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD · Answer

The main thing for fat grafting is amount of the breast tissue that can be injected. The amount of the harvested fat is limited to 5 litters in most states. You can repeat fat grafting in three month to get better results. Please see the link for examples

Robert L. Kraft, MD, FACS · Answer

There are statutory limitations on liposuction.  Regardless, fat transfer does not produce a significant increase in breast size. If your goal is at least a cup size or more, implants would be more appropriate.  Additionally, the donor sites must have sufficient fat for use. The fat cannot be stored. The only way to have repeat fat injections is with sufficient remaining fat in the donor areas.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

These are my personal responses that I do in my practice. 
#1. Max lipo fat in Florida 4 liters by Board of Medicine rule.
#2. Varies but my average is 350 cc's per side.
#3. Yes with new lipo fat.
#4. Storing fat is not a good idea in my opinion. 
Hope that helps...

Fat transfer to breast. How much fat can be removed from donor site?

Answers (11)

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