Fat grafting from ankles/calves/knees to breasts? (Photo)

Calf and ankle liposuction is one of the most rewarding procedures for my patients. The most important thing is that you find someone experienced in treating this area, as i have seen many irregularities from poor technique.  It is not the tool but the surgeon you chose that is going to give you the best results.  Best, Dr. Emer.

From your photos I do not recommend liposuction of your calves and ankles  for fat transfer to your breasts if you are currently happy with your overall appearance to mitigate changes for future weight gain. In general only about 25% of fat harvested is suitable for transplantation to the breasts and only about half of the transferred fat survives in that location - so probalby not worth it.

Liposuction of those areas may be reasonable, but you probably will not get enough fat to make fat transfer to the breasts worthwhile.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

I have found liposuction to ankles and calves to be quite rewarding for the patient: very fine cannulas are used, so there is essentially no visible scarring. You do not have to worry about the fat reappearing somewhere else: very little is removed.  Not enough is removed to make a meaningful difference in your breasts.

Liposuction of the ankles, calves, and knees will typically not yield enough fat to be worth grafting into the breasts.  It is unlikely that the small amount of fat removed from these areas will make any noticeable volume enhancement of your breasts.

A common question from patients considering liposuction is "do I get fatter in other places"?  The body looks at fat cells as storage centers and each individual fat cell gets larger when you gain weight and accumulates fat (unless your weight gain is from a gain in protein or muscle mass).  If you remove those potential storage centers by liposuction, then if you do gain weight, it will now have to store itself in the places that remain (places that weren't liposuctioned).  That's IF you gain permanent weight. And not all the weight change people see after pregnancy is from an increase in fat throughout their body.  My advice is to address your legs, calves and knees if they bother you now.  Personally I think you look great, but my opinion isn't the one that matters.  I would also not put the fat in your breasts with the idea that if you gained weight, it would preferentially go to those fat cells and save other places (ie your face) from getting bigger with this theoretical, potential weight gain.  Hope this helps- bottom line is you look great now but if you don't like something and it really bothers you, take care of it now and other things as they come (if they come).

The fat from the knees and ankles are great for transfer due to the small lobules found there. The fat liposuctions easily and takes very well to the recipient site. However, these two areas dont have enough fat to make a cosmetic difference in the breasts. If there is fat elsewhere, it can be used to further augment the breasts.

Hello. Great questions. Fat is a source of energy so significant liposuction can have an effect but your small frame and the little amount of fat that would be removed would likely be less significant.  Transferring fat to your breast is a great procedure and would retain its function as well.  A full consult with a board certified plastic surgeon would be necessary to completely answer all your questions. I hope this helps and have a wonderful day! Dr. Kayser - Detroit