Is there an ideal diet to maximize fat survival in my breasts and not undo lipo results?

Question

I am having fat grafting done to my breast (lipo on flanks, abs and inner thigh) and am wondering if there is any diet /nutritional guidelines to help maximize fat survival in my breast, while not undoing my lipo results after surgery? I heard anything from continue my normal diet to switching to a high fat / carb diet for 2 months. As reference, I am in shape, eat a relatively low carb diet that is high in healthy fats, practice intermittent fasting (16/8), and exercise 4-5X a week.

Terrence Scamp, MBBS, FRACS · Answer

Hello there You should aim to keep your weight as stable as you can . Your current diet should be fine .Weight loss may compromise your fat grafts , and weight gain can impair the results of the liposuction .So 'steady as you go ' .CheersTS

Urmen Desai, MD, MPH, FACS · Answer

I would try not to lose too much weight after the procedure. The implant selection should be based on a combination of your desired size, soft tissue dynamics, breast base diameter and skin elasticity. I recommend an in-office examination as well as a detailed discussion with a surgeon who you are comfortable with.   Finally, make sure your surgeon is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS).
Best,Dr. DesaiBeverly Hills Institute for Aesthetic Plastic SurgeryHarvard Educated, Beverly Hills & Miami Beach TrainedDouble Board-Certified, Double Fellowship-Trained Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Farbod Esmailian, MD · Answer

There really is not a particular diet and seems you are doing the best thing you can do anyways.  Simply eating healthy and keeping up with your proteins and vitamins is the best you can do.Congrats.Hope this helps.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Shumai81,
fat viability depends a lot of surgeon technique. The fat has to be placed back into the buttocks as soon as possible so that it has a greater chance of survival. It has to be placed carefully so that not too much fat is placed in only one area.
Regarding the diet, most plastic surgeons will recommend you to increase protein intake in order to promote healing. But every plastic surgeon has his own preoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

If you are in good general health, and all medical conditions have been managed; adequate protein intake as well as a multivitamin can be useful. No need to increase calories or carbs.
Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles, CA

Ian MacArthur, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Thank you for your question. As long as you are starting from a healthy diet and weight, there are no special instructions about diet before your surgery. My suggestion would be to continue your current diet and exercise regimen. If you have any further concerns about this, your operating surgeon should be able to guide you. Take care.

Johnson C. Lee, MD · Answer

The best way to maximize fat survival is in the hands of your surgeon. Fat should be carefully liposuctioned and processed without damaging the cells. The cells are then grafted in tiny droplets in different layers of the breast to allow enough blood supply and nutrients to surround the fat to ensure its survival. Another requirement is to keep the grafted areas free from pressure (don't lie down on them) and from excessive movement. There is no evidence that consuming more fat or carbs will increase your fat survival. It may appear that you have greater fat survival but that is more likely from simple weight gain and growth of your existing fat. It is best just to stay with a healthy diet. Hope this helps!Johnson C. Lee, MD
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

the best outcomes are technique dependent and your obligation is to avoid massage or pressure on the area as well as any kind of movement in that area (ie bouncing).  More important than the die is your surgoen's technique on how the fat is harvested and processed and then how its grafted.  Threads of fat do much better than just injecting helter skelter.  Don't worry about your diet... be more concerned about how the procedure is done.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

I would suggest eating a balanced diet, with plenty of protein and fat, and avoid much fasting. You don't want to encourage weight loss at this time.

Shaun Parson, MD · Answer

Thanks so much for your question. I am not aware of any good research that shows any difference in fatty tissue survival after fat transfer depending on somebody’s diet. Obviously you want to be healthy. You always recover more effectively after any type of surgery with a healthy diet. You want to be as optimized as possible in the postoperative period. But a diet that is specific in some other way (high fat, low-fat, low carb) hasn’t been shown to alter fat survivability.    Hope this helps. Good luck.

Is there an ideal diet to maximize fat survival in my breasts and not undo lipo results?

Answers (10)

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