FT to Breast: How Often Firmness or Lumps Develop ?

Question

I really want to do this procedure but am very worried about the fat getting firm, hard or lumpy as described in informed consent forms. How often does this happen and what can be done about it if it does happen? Having hard lumpy breasts would not be good.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear hola22,
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. The risk of complications such as firm, hard or lumpy breasts exists but it is low. 
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Bryan Curtis, MD · Answer

The development of firmness or lumps after a fat transfer to the breast can vary from person to person. It’s important to note that some degree of firmness and lumpiness is common after the procedure, but these usually resolve over time as the body reabsorbs the transferred fat. The risk of complications can be minimized by choosing a skilled and experienced surgeon and following their post-operative care instructions. If you’re considering this procedure, it’s essential to discuss the potential risks and outcomes with your surgeon to make an informed decision.

Hilton Becker, MD · Answer

Lumps are usually due to incorrect injection techniques and injection of excessive amounts of fat
If correctly done lumps are very rare

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

If fat transfers are done properly and conservatively, the risk of forming lumps is low. If a lump develops, it may settle down or may need to be removed if it bothers you.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Breast fat transfer can increase breast size by approximately 1/2 cup. In certain ideal circumstances when done by highly experienced surgeons, it may be possible to get up to 1 cup, increase in breast size. Patients should keep expectations realistic expecting no more than 1/2 cup per procedure. Fat transfer kid increase breast size by modest amount but it’s not a particularly good procedure for changing breast shape. It’s very important for patients to differentiate the difference between having an improved breast shape versus simply increasing size. Unlike breast implants, which give a substantial forward projection an increase in the upper half of the breast fat transfer does not give these benefits.
The chance of having undesirable side effects from this procedure is completely dependent on who does the procedure and what technique they use.
If that is grafted in a stratified manner distributing the fat evenly, without placing large amounts of grafted fat in a single area, should be no palpable masses, noticeable, fat, necrosis, or oil cysts developing.
In my experience, the incidence of these complications has been exceedingly low.
There is significant variation in skill and experience for both Liposuction and fat transfer.
I suggest patients be highly selective, when choosing providers for it, these types of procedures.
Defined the best provider, which is the best way of reducing the chance of undesirable side effects and maximizing high quality outcomes. Patients should vent plastic surgeons carefully.
Do that they have a multiple in person consultations. During each consultation, ask each provider to open up your portfolio and show you their entire collection of before, and after pictures of previous patient who had similar body characteristics to your own. For fat transfer results always make absolutely sure you know the timeframe of when after pictures were taken. Early fat transfer results can look very impressive but do not in any way Represent final results. After pictures should not be taken sooner than 3 to 6 months after the procedure.
Ask each provider with their percentage incidence of complications is. I asked him to list all the complications and negative side effects, including possible masses, oul cysts or other undesirable outcomes.
An experienced plastic surgeon should have no difficulty showing it before, and after pictures of at least 50 previous patients. Being shown a handful of preselected images, representing the best results of a providers career is insufficient to get a clear understanding of what average results look like or how many of these procedures they’ve actually done.
Do not assume after pictures are necessarily final results. Always asked to confirm the exact timeframe of when after pictures were taken.
Recognize that a breast-fed transfer is two procedures done at the same time. Patients need to vet plastic surgeons for both Liposuction and fat transfer experience.
There’s no correct number of consultations needed to find the best provider. The more consultations you have the more likely you are to find the ideal provider to meet your needs.
Considering the amount of variation in skillet experience for these procedures, messages, patient start by having at least five in person consultations before considering scheduling surgery.
Whenever possible, I recommend avoiding virtual consultation, and I highly recommend against traveling long distances for elective surgical procedures.
When, in doubt, slow down and schedule more consultations.
Best, 
 Mats Hagstrom, MD

FT to Breast: How Often Firmness or Lumps Develop ?

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