Help with fat transfer to the breast?

The
breast has less volume than the buttock and that limits the amount of fat that
can be placed.  Also, in the buttocks,
fat can be placed intra-muscularly, although that has been associated with fat
embolis.  An attempt to put large amounts
of fat into the breasts will result in necrosis and absorb.  The goal of fat transfer is to increase
projection not just add volume.  It is
very difficult to increase projection because the fat cannot be concentrated
underneath the areola.  An alternative is
to do a breast lift using The Bellesoma Method. 
This will reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness
without implants, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to
increase your cleavage.  Vertical scars
are avoided, nipple sensation and the ability to breast feed are maintained.  The internal cone formed is an excellent
recipient for fat transfer later.    Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

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.  The fat must be injected through multiple planes in small amounts to the tissue through one tiny incision under each breast.  If you want more than a one cup size increase, implants are probably a better choice.  If you want fat grafting, this may require multiple treatments to reach the size you desire. Fat transfer to the breast could improve the fullness of the breast, particularly at the top of the breast.   About 50% of the fat obtains permanence.  Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Dear Lcda08,Hello and thank you for your excellent question. Yes, fat transfer to the breast is now a much more common procedure than even just a few years ago.  Typically, however, patients can only get a MODEST lift from this... maybe a cup size, or a cup in a half size increase in size. Patients go home the day of surgery; typically do not use any narcotics postop for pain control, and are back to light exercise and work 48 hours after their procedures. In my practice, we specifically evaluate patients for these additional treatments, and select the appropriate treatment based on their skin quality, amount of fat, previous treatment(s), and surgical goals. It is best to answer your question during a face-to-face evaluation, when you can discuss your goals and expectations for the procedure, and you can have a physical examination to evaluate for that procedure. I recommend that you find a board-certified, or board-eligible plastic surgeon with whom you are comfortable. Be sure to have all of your questions answered during a face-to-face meeting with your surgeon, and review before and after pictures of similar patients whom have had this procedure. If you have any questions, call our office for assistance. Good luck!

Best,

Jon Ver Halen, MD FACS

Harvard educated plastic surgeon

Texas “Top Doc” 2017, 2018

RealSelf100

America’s Top Plastic Surgeons, Consumer’s Research Council, 2010 - 2018