I have lupus (SLE). I want to do a fat transfer for breast augmentation. Is there any risk?

To ensure your safety during surgery and recovery, your PS will likely want medical clearance from your specialist before performing the lipo, breast augmentation, and lipectomy.
Breast fat transfer is a great tool to balance breasts, improve symmetry, and gain up to one cup size in volume. 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. The fat must be injected through multiple planes in small amounts to the tissue through one tiny incision under each breast. About 50% of the fat obtains permanence.

Dear Pfran799,
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

There is always risk with any surgery and little more risk with someone with autoimmune disease, but it still can be done safely.

There is risk in any surgery. Natural breast augmentation is being done at an increasing rate but is complicated by the fact that not all of the fat with the adult derived stem cells survive after the placement. We think that even in the best of hands that 50-60% of the fat survives and the rest goes away over time. Patient's usually like the early result but not so much the late result if they've lost the volume. There can be contour deformities where the fat is transferred from and this is just the beginning of a long list. The operation takes me 4-5 times longer than a implant based breast augmentation due to the tedious nature of small fat grafts and meticulous transfer techniques. With lupus it is not a bad idea, but you have to temper your expectations. You must also understand that repeat surgery may be necessary and it is not a revision of the first surgery, but a completely second operation with all of the fees associated with that. Expect to pay more than for implant surgery.

Lupus can be a pretty serious condition. There are a lot of variables to take into consideration. The first person to talk do it as your rheumatologist. If that person thinks you’re fine to have surgery and have a few in person consultations with local board-certified plastic surgeons. They will most likely ask for a clearance from your rheumatologist. If you’re taking medications then you may need to stop those for a certain number of days before and after the procedure.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD