Who is a good candidate for breast fat transfer? (Photo)

Question

Hi doctors, I hope you'll take your time to answer my question. I got 400 cc. breast implants when I was 18. I explanted at age 21, so three years with implants. I'm now 26 and my breasts have healed OK, I have some excessive skin. I wish to have a breast fat transfer since my breasts are very small. What's your opinion? Am I a good candidate? I'll only have 1 session and I should mention that I don't wish to have big boobs. I am a small B cup now and I would like to be a cup C. See picture!

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. 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. Some of the retention rate will depend upon the amount of fat transferred, as smaller volumes will likely have a higher survival. Occasionally, a patient can resorb a great deal of the fat despite optimal transfer procedures. Thinner patients are outstanding candidates in my opinion, because the fat transferred is extremely resistant. Results are largely dependent upon the skill of the surgeon, his/her ability to remove fat without creating contour deformities, and your expectations. You would need a consultation with a board-certified PS to determine your available fat stores.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

From your photograph, your breasts appear widely separated and low on the chest wall. You will need a lift and the technique I recommend is a mini lift. Using a circumareola incision, your breast tissue is reshaped, elevated higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage. At the same time, fat transfers can be performed.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

There is nobody that truly knows what makes fat transfer work better at some times and not others. So there’s not a lot of control the surgeon has regarding this. Just find someone who has done this many times and hope for the best

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear SunsetgirlDk,
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, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Wess Cohen, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. One session of fat transfer can usually increase the size of your breasts by 1 cup size. You are a good candidate and it will work to give you more upper pole fullness as well. A fair amount of your breast tissue has descended to the lower pole of your breast. You may benefit from a small verticls only breast lift in conjunction with fat grafting to get an optimal result. The downside being additional scars. Good luck.

Hilton Becker, MD · Answer

To assess if you are a good candidate for fat grafting, you need to submit a full frontal photo of your breasts  with your hands at your side ,as well of the areas from where fat can be removed

Michelle Copeland, MD, DMD · Answer

Thanks for sharing your photos. Here are some factors to consider to increase breast size. If you're looking for perkiness, you may need a procedure called a breast lift—but if you also want more volume, an implant may be sufficient to increase your breast size and give your breasts a perkier appearance. A breast lift raises droopy breasts from one to several inches and excess skin is removed. If you just want to go bigger, you can do so with implants or even fat grafting, which is the newest technique for you to enlarge your breasts without resorting to implants! Specially prepared fat taken from another part of your body, such as the stomach or hips, is placed under the breast tissue to provide increased breast size without the need for artificial implants. This surgical technique is called autologous fat transfers and autologous simply means "your own.” You can increase your cup size following an autologous fat transfer to breasts and around 50% of the fat that is transferred to the breasts will remain there following the procedure. These are some of the factors I weigh with my patients when evaluating what type of procedure to do. I suggest making an appointment with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

You still have small breasts which will not hold a lot of fat, and you need to have donor fat to use. With one transfer, you may get one half to maybe one cup increase in size.

Douglas Taranow, DO, FACOS · Answer

Generally, fat transfer to the breasts enlarge them by a 1/2 cup size (rarely does anyone get a full cup sized increase).   If you desire them more round or raised, a periareolar (around the nipple) lift may be entertained 
Dr. Taranow

Kenneth R. Francis, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear Sunsetgirl,
You are an ideal candidate for breast augmentation by fat transfer, young, healthy, a little bit of excess skin, and a goal of only 1 cup size increase.  It would be contingent on you having enough fat somewhere to harvest, which we can't tell from the photo.  Also, be prepared that you may need more than one session of fat transfer because the amount of fat survival (take) is a little bit unpredictable.  Good luck!

Who is a good candidate for breast fat transfer? (Photo)

Answers (11)

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