Can I get a fat transfer to my breast after I already have silicone breast implant augmentation?

Question

I am 35 years old female 5ft5 my weight is 160. I got a breast augmentation back in October 2020. Now that everything has settled I feel rippling at the bottom of my right breast in the cup area. I did not attach any pictures because you can not see the ripples but you can feel them in my right breast. My implants are silicone and placed under the muscle, I am now self-conscious I want to know if I can get a fat transfer in that area to help with the ripples? or is there nothing else I can do

John L. Burns Jr., MD · Answer

Yes, adding fat around the implant can help increase soft tissue coverage and alleviate unnatural rippling and feel.  Another option would be to place an acellular dermal matrix product in the lower pole to cover the implant

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

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.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear 63e52ay1Cr,
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, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

If you have enough breast tissue to support the transfer, then fat may help. If you do not, dermal grafts like Alloderm could be placed internally for more fullness.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

It’s possible to do fat transfer of her implants. When this is done the implants need to be removed during the fat transfer part of the procedure so that they are not damaged from the cannula‘s. Typically temporary implants are placed in the pockets during the fat transfer than the original implants I put back in and the surgery is finished.

Different providers may have a different way of doing this than what I described.

Fat transfer isn’t going to change the rippling of your implant. It is only going to put more fat into your breast tissue.

Another option is to exchange your implants for a lower profile possibly with a wider diameter if that would fit your breast size. If the profile is decreased then the diameter needs to be increased to maintain the same volume. Higher profiles have more rippling than lower profiles.

It’s suggest you talk to your implant surgeon about this.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom,MD

Can I get a fat transfer to my breast after I already have silicone breast implant augmentation?

Answers (5)

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