Doctor says Liposuction and fat transfer can't be done on my breast because the needle can break the implant - is this true?

Thank you for your question regarding whether it’s possible to do liposuction and fat transfer to the breast with breast implants. One is to understand the history of fat grafting to the breast. Fat grafting to the breast was initially done for breast cancer survivors. Small amounts of fat were injected into the breast to create optimal breasts after breast cancer removal. Many breast cancer survivors have breast implants, so plastic surgeons are skilled at placing fat in the breast and around the breast implants. Therefore, it is not impossible to put fat in the breast even though you have breast implants. It does require a very skilled plastic surgeon with the right instruments. The instrument used to insert fat into the breast is not a needle but a blunt cannula that is not sharp. All in all, the procedure can be done. This just requires an experienced plastic surgeon with the right instruments. Thank you for your question regarding fat transfer to the breast in a patient with breast implants.

Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery, and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

It's difficult to say without the benefit of a formal evaluation. Consult another physician who specializes in this. Best, Dr. Emer

Fat grafting can be successful after breast implants to improve shape and size discrepancies. Some of the success will depend upon existing tissue available for receiving the fat. 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. 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. Lipo and fat transfer to the breast can be performed during the same surgery. A board certified PS should know where to inject the fat to prevent rupturing the implant.