Fat transfer to dense breasts - Would this be a good idea?

Question

Hi, I have very dense breasts and have to have mammograms and sonograms every 6 months. Would fat transfer to the breasts not be a good idea for me? Could it make it harder to see changes with new fat added? Could it make my breasts even more dense?

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Questionqueen76,
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, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Alan Gonzalez, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello @Questionqueen76, thank you for your question. Fat transfer the breasts is a two-in-one procedure that combines liposuction and fat grafting. The procedure adds volume and contour to the breasts by transferring fat cells from other areas of your body such as the abdomen, thighs, or buttocks. While it's not possible for anyone to predict with certainty how this procedure will affect future mammograms and sonograms due to individual anatomical differences, many studies have shown that fat transfer does not increase breast density on imaging scans. Fat grafting can be done safely with ultrasound-guided cannulas in order to provide consistent results while avoiding any potential damage to underlying structures like nerves or blood vessels.   For more information and recommendations consult one or more board-certified plastic surgeons. . Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS.  American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science” Member (IFATS), American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery member (SCCP)

Jeffrey Lisiecki, MD · Answer

Dense breasts are not necessarily a contraindication for fat transfer to the breasts.  The bigger questions would be why you need imaging so frequently and what they are monitoring for, and then likely a conversation between your plastic surgeon and OB-GYN (or whoever is monitoring your breast health).  Fat transfer to the breasts creates fewer imaging changes than a breast reduction does, and we do breast reductions in people with dense breasts all the time.  If anything, fat transfer should make your breasts less dense because fat is less dense than glandular tissue.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

In order to avoid difficulties of reading and misinterpretation with follow up mammograms, fat is injected into the muscle and subcutaneous tissue of the breast. Insignificant amount may be injected into breast tissue itself, unintentionally. Hope this helps.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Fat can be added, but is harder in dense breasts. As you age, your breast will become less dense naturally.

Fat transfer to dense breasts - Would this be a good idea?

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Fat transfer to dense breasts - Would this be a good idea?

Answers (6)

Answer: Fat transfer to breasts

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Everything you need to know about Breast Fat Transfer

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