Is it possible to gain 2 cup sizes from fat transfer to breasts?

Question

I am vehemently opposed to getting breast implants but I've always wanted large breasts. It makes me sad that I don't have full cleavage to show off in low cut tops or lingerie. I'm a B cup and I'd like to be a D cup or at the very least a full C. What is the the survival rate of fat to the breasts? And is there anything that can be done to ensure that the fat survives?

Jaime S. Schwartz, MD, FACS · Answer

I appreciate your question
  
I perform a natural breast augmentation with fat. This can be removed from any unwanted areas including the breast itself as part of my lipo-lift procedure. I perform the fat grafting in multiple planes including under the muscle to give the best, most natural enhancement. Fat grafting is a great solution for someone who wants to bring their breast size up a cup or so and use natural tissue vs an implant. However, it can also be combined with an implant or used as a secondary procedure to fill in areas that are flat or thin. It should not affect nipple sensation, mammograms, cancer risk or breast feeding. It can be a little lump or hard at first but tends to soften over time. If you gain or lose weight, the transferred fat can do the same.  About 60-70% of the grafted fat survives.  At 6 months you will have a good idea of your results. Some women have a second or third procedure which continues to increase your volume safely.
  
The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam.  Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic breast plastic surgery.
  
 
  
Best of luck!
  
   
  
Dr. Schwartz
  
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
  
#RealSelf100Surgeon
  
#RealSelfCORESurgeon

Randal Haworth, MD, FACS · Answer

A fat transfer to your breasts is an alternative to undergoing a traditional breast augmentation with implants. Generally, the procedure can increase your cup size some if you have enough donor fat to harvest from other areas of your body. One could generally go up one size maximum. To go from an A cup to a C cup or D cup is unrealistic in general. However, going from a full B to a mid C cup is possible. I have had excellent results with purified fat transfer to the breast but managing expectations with the patient is key. I recommend an in person consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to address a cosmetic treatment plan that best suits your needs.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

hello mad90  NATURAL Breast Augmentation can be performed with fat grafting. This requires liposuction to obtain the fat, and then the fat is transferred into the breast tissue. It is usually possible to achieve at least one half cup size increase. Additional fat transfer procedures to increase your volume can be done subsequently. #options #cleavage

Urmen Desai, MD, MPH, FACS · Answer

Fat can generally only bring you up 1 cup size per session.   I recommend an in-office examination as well as a detailed discussion with a surgeon who you are comfortable with.   Finally, make sure your surgeon is a Double-Board Certified Plastic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).Best,Dr. DesaiBeverly Hills Institute for Aesthetic Plastic SurgeryHarvard Educated, Beverly Hills & Miami Beach TrainedDouble Board-Certified Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Without an exam, or photos is difficult to provide a specific recommendation or determine the amount of fat available for harvesting.  I transfer from 250 cc to 400 cc or so per breast. Fat is placed within the breast, not in the muscle. About 50% of the fat obtains permanence. If you are comfortable with about a one cup size increase, fat transfer would be reasonable.  If a second procedure is indicated to increase another cup size, you can usually tell by 6 weeks. Depending upon healing characteristics, it may be reasonable to perform the second surgery at 3 months. Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear mad90,fat viability depends a lot of surgeon technique. The fat has to be placed back into the breasts as soon as possible so that it has a greater chance of survival.
 It has to be placed carefully so that not too much fat is placed in only one area. In most cases around 30-40% of transferred fat will be lost. That is one of the reasons why fat transfer can give you only one cup size larger breasts. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Kamran Khoobehi, MD · Answer

I offer my patient fat grafting and the results been great. I been doing fat grafting for more than 11 years. If you have enough fat for harvesting, you can do fat grafting in two session to get the best results. Please see the link for examples

Johnson C. Lee, MD · Answer

Studies have shown that fat survival has a wide range from 30-70% of what is transferred. Many surgeons will give their own percentage of their success but there is no guarantee of the exact amount that will last. There are ways to optimize fat survival including careful extraction, purificiation, and injection technique. Some people also feel that added growth factors from PRP can improve survival rates. After your surgery, minimal trauma and pressure to the area will ensure a healthier blood supply to maximize fat retention. This includes no smoking!! It is possible to increase your breast size by two sizes, however you may stage your transfer into multiple procedures. A large volume at one time may also decrease the fat survival rate as the fat cells have to compete for nutrition, growth factors, and oxygen to survive. Hope this helps!Johnson C. Lee, MD Plastic Surgery@drjohnsonlee

Brian Arslanian, MD · Answer

This is a great question. You can definitely get the size increase you want if you have enough fat to transfer. Only a certain amount of fat can be transferred at a time. if too much is done, then much of it may die and cause fat necrosis. About 50-60% of the fat will survive. I usually tell people you can achieve 1/2 to a full cup size increase in one round of fat grafting. So you might need 2-3 fat transfers in order to get the size you desire. Good Luck"The above answer has been given without seeing this patient and cannot be substituted for actual in-person examination and medical advice; it is only opinion. Seek in-person treatment with a trained medical professional for appropriate care."

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