Technique to Get Fat Transfer for Breast Augmentation

A lot of great questions here.

1. First and foremost, there are many very good board certified plastic surgeons in the world to choose from. I would have significant concerns about going to someone who "is not a plastic surgeon per se". It is just not something you should compromise. Find a board certified plastic surgeon experienced in breast augmentation.

2. Many doctors have several techniques for breast shape improvement and we perform a lot liposuction and lipotransfer. We do not inject fat into the breast. If for no other reason, it can complicate the ability to detect breast cancer.

3. When we do fat transfer to other parts of the body we do not use ultrasound prior to fat harvest as it decreases the survivability of the fat.

4. "Stem Cell" techniques are marketing and not true stem cell therapeutics (the FDA just approved the first stem cell therapeutic trial for a company called Geron) and there are no stem cell derived therapeutics for use in the US at this point in time).

5. The first liposuction was performed by a French surgeon, named Dujarier. A tragic case that resulted in gangrene in the leg of a French ballerina in 1926 resulting in an amputation. Ilouz et al got liposuction established in 1982 in the US.

I hope this helps.

Barbie:  Thank you for your questions.  From the information you recieved you clearly have many concerns, and well you should.  First, there is NO Board of Cosmetic Surgery which is accepted by the American Board of Medical Specialties.  The web is full of doctors with no specific training in plastic surgery who call themselves "Cosmetic Surgeons".  The "Gold Standard" is board certification by The American Board of Plastic Surgery.  I recommend you contact them on the web and get a list of surgeons in your area whom you can consult with. 

Second:  Fat transfer to the breasts for augmentation is still undergoing critical evaluation about its safety and effectiveness ( one concern is greater than 50% of the fat dies) and is not endorsed by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  It likely will take years before this evolving issue is settled.  The use of stem cells for breast augmentation is still completely experimental.

Third:  No matter how small, all surgeries have potential risks associated with them.

Fourth:  Millions of patients have had breast augmentation with  implants and have done well.  This is a time tested procedure with  predictable results.  

I believe you will get the best information from contacting the American Board of Plastic Surgery or The American Society of Plastic Surgery and taking advantage of the doctors  and the information available on those sites.

I hope my answer is of help to you.

Hi there,
Your question really brings up more than one issue.
As far as fat transfer to the breasts for augmentation purposes goes, what you need to know is that while it CAN be done (meaning that the fat can be transferred and the breasts will be larger), most Board Certified Plastic Surgeons agree that it is probably not responsible to do this procedure right now. This is because in the US, we know that 1 out of every 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives, and the transfer of fat to the breast can create confusion on mammograms that may lead to misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of breast cancer. Scary stuff.
This is a big enough deal that The American Society of Plastic Surgeons actually came out with a formal recommendation that its ~6000 Board Certified Members NOT do this procedure over concerns for our patients' safety. You can read about this on the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery website.
With regard to your other question, there are doctors from many specialties performing all manner of aesthetic procedures nowadays. Board Certification in Plastic Surgery means that we have completed years (not days or weeks) of training in the safe and effective performance of the aesthetic procedures we offer our patients, and it is this that (in my opinion) makes a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon your best bet for your procedure.
Even if you decide to proceed as planned with the provider you speak of, I would suggest you find a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and get an opinion about your options. Remember- the goal should be not just to achieve the goal you have for breast contour and volume, but to have you be safe throughout as well.
I hope that helps.