Can your breasts be shaped by breast fat transfer or does the fat fill into the natural shape?

Question

I am very small chested A size and would want more full projection versus shallow breasts where the fat is closer to the chest. Can a doctor inject the fat in a certain way to achieve that?

Jose Perez-Gurri, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi. There are a few surgeons that will augment the breast with fat injections and the use of a device called the Brava system. I find that the degree of augmentation that these patents receive is insufficient for my typical patient who is looking for a fuller look. Fat transfer to the breast are more often used to fill selective areas in conjunction with the breast augmentation with implants. Good luck. Dr. PG

Thomas Trevisani, MD · Answer

The use of fat to augment the breast is highly variable and in my opinion- a waste of time and money. 1) If you have enough fat to meet your desired breast size- I question your lifestyle and your BMI, in other words- if you are slight of built and have no fat- you are limited in your volume transfer, also- it is highly variable the amount of the fat that will survive even with the use of BRAVA. 2) If you are not satisfied with your volume of fat transfer - you may need additional fat transfer procedures to achieve your intended goal. Even then, you may loose more of this additional fat. Therefore, I am not a proponent of fat transfer when we have available highly successful technologically advanced gel filled implants- that are long lasting and over time will be far less expensive.

Rian A. Maercks, MD · Answer

One of my favorite things about breast augmentation with fat transfer is that the surgeon can sculpt the form of the breast allowing the creation of very beautiful upper pole fullness, lower pole projection and medial cleavage.  It is a wonderful technique as long as you have enough fat.  I hope this helps!All the best,Rian A. Maercks M.D.

Rigo J. Mendoza, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  We do a lot of fat transfers (Natural fill on our website).  Fat is best for filling in the skin envelope.  It will not stretch out and shape a tight skin envelope.  Would need to see pictures in order to give you reasonable expectations in your case.

John A. Millard, MD, FACS · Answer

This is a really awesome question, because it points out the key differences between breast augmentation with an implant vs. fat.  Yes, you have a much higher degree of control incepting your breast with fat transfer. An implant typically only enhances your own native shape.  The best example of the differences, is in a woman who has augmentation with an implant and has wide native cleavage.  The implant will do nothing to improve this.  fat, on the other hand can be used to give you a much narrower cleavage, even with wide native cleavage.  Also, you have much more control in the upper pole fullness as well.  One of the down sides to fat transfer vs implant augmentation, is your are limited to about a one size increase with fat transfer.  You can  have the best of both world by doing a combination of implant augmentation plus fat grafting.  This is called a Composite Breast Augmentation!  Again, great question!

Robert Brueck, MD · Answer

This is an option but it will not give you what you want.In many of my patients I will inject fat to augment a silicone implant.This would probably be a better option.

Julie Khanna, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Good Afternoon Grace, Thank you for your question, it's an excellent one!  Using fat to shape or contour breasts is a great way to enhance a natural breast.  The question comes down to the kind of volume you are looking for.  Typically you can achieve a cup size increase (250cc) with fat transfer for volume, and the take of this fat (how much stays behind) can be greatly improved with the BRAVA system, which helps prepare the breast tissue and blood supply prior to the fat transfer.  I
recommend that my patients do the "rice trick".  That is take
the toe end of a stocking, add dry rice (starting around 200ml or cc) and make a
sort of  bean bag that you can then place in a sports bra.  You can
add or subtract rice until you see a volume that you like while wearing the
bra.  If that rice amount is 250cc or less, then you may be a good
candidate for fat transfer.  If it is over 250cc then an implant will
better give the result you're looking for.  I hope this helps and best of
luck!

Dr. K.

Jeffrey M. Hartog, DMD, MD · Answer

Generally one cannot get the same projection with fat transfer alone as one can get with breast implants for breast augmentation. Nevertheless if you are very small breasted, a small to moderate increase in size can be achieved with fat transfer alone in someone with very small breasts. Usually 150-200cc enlargement with a single fat transfer procedure (which can be repeated if there is adequate fat to harvest). Women with larger breasts to start, or who have been larger due to pregnancy etc, may be able to achieve as much as 250-350cc enlargement with a single fat transfer, particularly when combined with the use of the BRAVA® device.There is an additional procedure that can be used with fat transfer known as a RAFT procedure, using a large teardrop shaped suture loop (all buried, no big cuts) to help shape and project the breast. This can make a big difference if you really want to accomplish a larger augmentation and more projected breasts using only fat transfer. The RAFT procedure is a much bigger commitment however, as it is definitely more painful, and a longer recovery than fat transfer alone. The RAFT is used more frequently for breast reconstruction with fat transfer.Probably the ideal procedure for most very slim patients, is to combine breast implants with fat transfer, known as composite breast augmentation. In this way one can achieve the size and projection desired with implants, but also thicken the tissues over the implants with fat transfer. This is highly desirable in slimmer patients to provide more padding over the implants, better fullness in the cleavage area, and more padding on the outside of the breast so that there is less rippling that can be seen or felt from the underlying implant. Gel implants are also better than saline implants in this respect.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Maybe but no posted photos?? Best to find an experience fat grafting PS in your area. Though a difficult operation the results can be wonderful!

Can your breasts be shaped by breast fat transfer or does the fat fill into the natural shape?

Answers (9)

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