Hello I am 24 years old and am considering increasing my breast size one cup size. Can fat transfer do that? It seemed like a good option because they would feel a lot more natural I believe. I mainly wanted to know if it's permanent and how is the scaring after surgery.
Answer: Is fat transfer to the breasts permanent? How severe is the scarring? While it is possible to do fat injections to the breast as a cosmetic augmentation, currently, it is felt that only up to 50 of transplanted fat successfully survives in its new location. The remainder doesn’t go elsewhere. It is just resorbed by the body. Fat injections to the breasts may be useful in making small modifications and correcting asymmetries, but many plastic surgeons feel this procedure is not as reliable or predictable as an augmentation with breast implants. The concerns: Long term results do not yet exist, like any procedure there are potential risks including infection, oily cyst formation, mammographic changes which can be confused with breast tumors, asymmetry, the results are not totally predictable and are inconsistent as compared to breast implants which are the most extensively tested and FDA approved medical devices with a lengthy record of safety and efficacy, it is a lengthier procedure, more costly, may require additional sessions of fat injection, and to optimize the results usually requires a prolonged use of an external device called BRAVA which is uncomfortable and has a poor record of patient acceptance and compliance. Scarring is usually minimal. There are an increasing number of satisfactory reports of this procedure being performed, but there are still a wealth of additional unresolved issues: The extent of resorption of the fat, the large volume of fat that is required to produce an improvement, the limitation of the amount of the very modest augmentation that is possible (usually only up to ½ or one cup size), and specifically a concern about long term safety with regard to tumor stimulation (does not appear to be a problem so far), which all need to be further investigated with valid scientific studies before fat injection should be viewed as a standard procedure for cosmetic breast augmentation.Robert Singer, MD FACSLa Jolla, California
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Answer: Is fat transfer to the breasts permanent? How severe is the scarring? While it is possible to do fat injections to the breast as a cosmetic augmentation, currently, it is felt that only up to 50 of transplanted fat successfully survives in its new location. The remainder doesn’t go elsewhere. It is just resorbed by the body. Fat injections to the breasts may be useful in making small modifications and correcting asymmetries, but many plastic surgeons feel this procedure is not as reliable or predictable as an augmentation with breast implants. The concerns: Long term results do not yet exist, like any procedure there are potential risks including infection, oily cyst formation, mammographic changes which can be confused with breast tumors, asymmetry, the results are not totally predictable and are inconsistent as compared to breast implants which are the most extensively tested and FDA approved medical devices with a lengthy record of safety and efficacy, it is a lengthier procedure, more costly, may require additional sessions of fat injection, and to optimize the results usually requires a prolonged use of an external device called BRAVA which is uncomfortable and has a poor record of patient acceptance and compliance. Scarring is usually minimal. There are an increasing number of satisfactory reports of this procedure being performed, but there are still a wealth of additional unresolved issues: The extent of resorption of the fat, the large volume of fat that is required to produce an improvement, the limitation of the amount of the very modest augmentation that is possible (usually only up to ½ or one cup size), and specifically a concern about long term safety with regard to tumor stimulation (does not appear to be a problem so far), which all need to be further investigated with valid scientific studies before fat injection should be viewed as a standard procedure for cosmetic breast augmentation.Robert Singer, MD FACSLa Jolla, California
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September 8, 2018
Answer: Fat transfer to breasts You are correct in saying it sounds like a good idea. Unfortunately, in practice, the results are not very good. Most of the fat ends up being absorbed. I have seen very few cases where there is much if any size increase.
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September 8, 2018
Answer: Fat transfer to breasts You are correct in saying it sounds like a good idea. Unfortunately, in practice, the results are not very good. Most of the fat ends up being absorbed. I have seen very few cases where there is much if any size increase.
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July 31, 2015
Answer: Is fat transfer to the breasts permanent? How severe is the scarring? Hello, and thank you for reaching out to us.A fat transfer to the breasts could certainly help you achieve the size increase you are looking for. Your surgeon will take fat from your body, in most cases your abdomen, and transfer it to your breasts.We cannot be certain without a consultation, but I believe that you could certainly achieve the results you have laid out through a fat transfer. Remember, only consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon and don't be afraid to request before-and-after pictures. Every surgeon has a different style, so you want to be sure your vision is reflected in the work they have done.It is all about designing the perfect plan for You. Survival rates of the fat transferred is about 60 to 70% of real, natural fat, that was yours to begin with. Good luck, please let us know how it goes.- Dr. Constantino Mendieta
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July 31, 2015
Answer: Is fat transfer to the breasts permanent? How severe is the scarring? Hello, and thank you for reaching out to us.A fat transfer to the breasts could certainly help you achieve the size increase you are looking for. Your surgeon will take fat from your body, in most cases your abdomen, and transfer it to your breasts.We cannot be certain without a consultation, but I believe that you could certainly achieve the results you have laid out through a fat transfer. Remember, only consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon and don't be afraid to request before-and-after pictures. Every surgeon has a different style, so you want to be sure your vision is reflected in the work they have done.It is all about designing the perfect plan for You. Survival rates of the fat transferred is about 60 to 70% of real, natural fat, that was yours to begin with. Good luck, please let us know how it goes.- Dr. Constantino Mendieta
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Answer: Fat transfer, is it permanent The fat that remains after the initial resorption should remain there permanently. Like other fat cells in your body or breast, there may be changes with age. However, it is not a "temporary" event. As we age some of the native fat from the breasts will atrophy.Scars are small incisions for liposuctioning and for the needle used to transfer the fat. An in-person exam with a board-certified plastic surgeon is the best way to assess your needs and provide true medical advice. Best of luck. Dr. Michael Omidi
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Answer: Fat transfer, is it permanent The fat that remains after the initial resorption should remain there permanently. Like other fat cells in your body or breast, there may be changes with age. However, it is not a "temporary" event. As we age some of the native fat from the breasts will atrophy.Scars are small incisions for liposuctioning and for the needle used to transfer the fat. An in-person exam with a board-certified plastic surgeon is the best way to assess your needs and provide true medical advice. Best of luck. Dr. Michael Omidi
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
August 3, 2015
Answer: Fat Transfer to the Breasts. Is it Permanent and How Severe is the Scarring? Hi and thanks for your question! Yes fat transfer to the breasts can be permanent (and the scarring minimal) but it is obvious from some of the answers given that it depends on the Surgeon and the technique. When I started doing this procedure about 3 years ago I was getting about a 50% survival of the fat. This has now increased to 80%! In some women their breasts have increased in size (rather than their hips!) as they have gained weight! So, yes it is permanent! To be suitable, you have to have some spare fat (usually on the abdomen, hips or thighs). This fat is then harvested in a procedure similar to (but not identical to) liposuction. The fat is then processed before being grafted as multiple small injections into the breasts. Only about half the volume of fat harvested is suitable for grafting.So, if 600cc of fat is harvested then 300cc would be available for transfer. This equates to 150cc per side. If, as expected, 80% survives your volume increase would be 120cc which is 1 cup size if you wear a 32 bra. For larger bras, the cup sizes are larger so you would need a little more!If it helps, I was recently discussing breast augmentation with a young female plastic surgeon with whom I work. We were talking about all the usual things:-silicone or saline, in front of or behind the muscle, textured or smooth. I then asked her if she, with all her knowledge as a Plastic Surgeon, were ever to have breast augmentation, what would she choose? Without hesitation she replied that she would only ever have her own fat put in her breasts!So there you are! Find a surgeon who gets good results and have your breasts enlarged while getting rid of some unwanted fat and (best of all) avoiding implants! Best wishes
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August 3, 2015
Answer: Fat Transfer to the Breasts. Is it Permanent and How Severe is the Scarring? Hi and thanks for your question! Yes fat transfer to the breasts can be permanent (and the scarring minimal) but it is obvious from some of the answers given that it depends on the Surgeon and the technique. When I started doing this procedure about 3 years ago I was getting about a 50% survival of the fat. This has now increased to 80%! In some women their breasts have increased in size (rather than their hips!) as they have gained weight! So, yes it is permanent! To be suitable, you have to have some spare fat (usually on the abdomen, hips or thighs). This fat is then harvested in a procedure similar to (but not identical to) liposuction. The fat is then processed before being grafted as multiple small injections into the breasts. Only about half the volume of fat harvested is suitable for grafting.So, if 600cc of fat is harvested then 300cc would be available for transfer. This equates to 150cc per side. If, as expected, 80% survives your volume increase would be 120cc which is 1 cup size if you wear a 32 bra. For larger bras, the cup sizes are larger so you would need a little more!If it helps, I was recently discussing breast augmentation with a young female plastic surgeon with whom I work. We were talking about all the usual things:-silicone or saline, in front of or behind the muscle, textured or smooth. I then asked her if she, with all her knowledge as a Plastic Surgeon, were ever to have breast augmentation, what would she choose? Without hesitation she replied that she would only ever have her own fat put in her breasts!So there you are! Find a surgeon who gets good results and have your breasts enlarged while getting rid of some unwanted fat and (best of all) avoiding implants! Best wishes
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