How long (after breast implant removal) should I wait to get fat transfer, for best results?

Question

I’m 6 weeks post removal, through areola incision (due to capsular contracture). Happy to wait longer if it means getting better fat transfer results???

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Fat grafting can be successful after breast implant removal.  Some of the success will depend upon existing tissue available for receiving the fat.  The fat grafting will likely take several sessions to produce a similar result unless the breast implants were extremely small.  Find the plastic surgeon who performs hundreds of breast augmentations, revisions, and reconstructions each year. Your and your PS should reevaluate between three and six months.Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

After explant alone, women are usually dissatisfied with the hanging skin, loss of volume and require a lift.  As you can see in your before photograph, you were asymmetric, one breast was larger and more ptotic than the other.  Now your breasts are asymmetrical and you have skin contracture folds.  Unfortunately, these folds can be difficult to correct.  At this time, I recommend a lift that can be done 2 different ways.  One is a modified Benelli.  Using a circumareola incision, your breast tissue is reshaped, elevated higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage.  At the same time, fat transfers can be placed through the same incision.  The other way is The Bellesoma Method.  This will reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage.  Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation and the ability to breast feed are maintained, if not injured during your previous surgery.  At the same time or later, fat transfers can be performed if additional volume is desired.  Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Luis A. Cenedese, MD, FACS · Answer

In most cases I prefer to inject fat simultaneously with implant removal.  If implants are removed from below the muscle the breast tissue has already been expanded;  fat can be placed above the muscle immediately. The appearance of a two cup size augmentation may be achieved with one session.  When fibrosis is encountered post capsular contracture more than one session of fat grafting may be required to expand the contracted breast envelope. The injection of fat may even loosen tight contracted tissues. The breast should be examined prior to making decisions in timing.  
Being that the implants have been removed waiting six months post removal is good conservative advise. Please consult in person with an experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon prior to making treatment decisions.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

You need to give your tissue time to heal, usually 3 to 6 months, before fat grafting. Your surgeon will be the best one to tell you when you are ready.

How long (after breast implant removal) should I wait to get fat transfer, for best results?

Answers (4)

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