How long is recovery for fat transfer breast augmentation?

Question

When can someone return to a normal life after fat transfer breast augmentation, such as wearing a sports bra or bra that squeezes the breast, sleeping on side or stomach, sex, those types of things? Thank you.

Bryson G. Richards, MD · Answer

Hi, thank you for your question on RealSelf.Fat transfer for breast augmentation has been a "hot topic" in the news recently. Many women want larger breasts but are afraid of implanting a foreign body like a silicone or saline implants. This newer technology of transferring one's fat is an alternative to implant augmentation by using one's own body fat. It is a technique that is not broadly offered among plastic surgeons. The reason is the results are extremely variable and somewhat inconsistent in most surgeons hands. The fat being transferred is a graft. Not all of it will live after the transfer. Additionally, some of the fat can die and result in small pockets of "fat necrosis" or dead fat cells. If these pockets are large enough, they need to be excised. Also, it is recommended to use a Brava device preoperatively. This is a large suction device that "sucks" the breasts for usually 12-14 hours per day for a couple weeks prior to the surgery.Recovery after fat grafting is approximately 4-6 weeks. Sports bra at 2-3 weeks, squeezing the breast at 4 weeks, stomach sleeping at 4-5 weeks, sex anytime (avoiding breast manipulation). Thanks for your question. I hope this helps.- Dr. Bryson G. Richards, MD

Peter Lee, MD, FACS · Answer

Fat transfer to the breast is often performed in conjunction with other procedures, such as liposuction, mastopexy, and, yes, even breast augmentation, because fat can be used to further shape the breast, or balance breast asymmetries after the breast implants are placed.  In these cases, the timetable of recovery is often dictated by the surgeries done concomitantly with fat transfer.  However, it is important to remember that when fat transfer is being performed, there are at least two operative sites, the target site of fat transfer, in this case the breasts, and the site of fat harvest, usually the lower abdomen or the flanks.  In most cases in which fat transfer to the breast is the only procedure performed, the length of recovery is a function of the number of sites from which the fat is harvested.  In our practice, we place our patients who have had fat transfer to the breast into a surgical bra immediately at the end of surgery, as well as a compression garment for the harvest site.  Patients usually wear this compression garment for a month. Additionally, the skin over the sites of fat harvest is covered with Reston foam for a week.  Patients are usually ambulating the night of surgery.  If they have a desk job, and only one or two sites of fat harvest were used, they can often return to work within two or three days after the procedure.  If more sites were used, or a larger volume of fat was harvested, or the patient has a more physically demanding job, a patient may take a week off before returning to work.  Patients usually return to the gym, or their regular exercise routine about a month after the surgery, although it is important to emphasize that they should gradually transition to a full intensity workout over the course of two to three weeks.  One last point bears emphasis: although it is fine for patients to apply ice to the sites of fat harvest after the surgery for analgesia, patients should NOT apply ice to the sites of fat transfer for at least a month after the procedure, as the cold temperature will kill the transferred fat cells.

Badar Jan, MD · Answer

Excellent questions. Fat grafting involves the harvesting of fat from one area of the body such as the belly and placing it in another area such as the breasts. The fat cells immediately start developing new blood vessels to allow the grafted cells to survive in their new home. This process requires time and most importantly stability while those tiny blood vessels grow. Excessive movement will inhibit the growth of the blood vessels and compromise the result. I recommend patient avoid strenuous activity, exercise or sexual activity for 3 weeks. I recommend back sleeping only for 3 weeks as well. I use a gentle support bra immediately that is continued for 3-6 weeks.
Best wishes,
Dr. Jan

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

person’s own fat may be used to improve the appearance of his or her body by moving it from an area of excess (or where it is less desired, such as the thighs, hips or abdomen) to an area that has lost tissue volume due to aging, trauma, surgery, certain diseases, birth defects, or other causes.Ideal candidates are in good health, and have excess fat in some parts of the body and too little in other regions. Fat grafting is most often used for the face, breasts and buttocks. Typically, the transferred fat results in a significant increase in volume of the body site being treated.Fat for lipoinjection, also called fat transfer, is removed from unwanted areas of the body by a narrow blunt tip surgical instrument with side holes, called a cannula, through a small incision. The fat is then cleaned with sterile saline solution before being restored to the body. The fat is then injected into the desired area using either a smaller cannula or needle, or it may be placed directly through an incision. Since some of the fat that is transferred does not remain over time, your surgeon may inject more than is ultimately needed to achieve the desired end result. Over a few weeks, the amount of transferred fat will decrease.There is a limit of how much fat can be safely injected into one area. The amount of fat that remains over time is variable from patient to patient. For some patients, more fat or other fillers may need to be transferred in a subsequent surgery to maintain or supplement the desired results.Fat transfer to the breast involves a relatively short recovery - just a few weeks.#breastaugmentation#BA#fattransferBA

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question. During the post-operative period the breast are swollen, and the breast appears fuller and firmer. Over time they settle and soften. It may take several months for this to happen and can be encouraged with breast massage and compression. After the swelling goes down the breasts will appear smaller.  I would recommend that you don't sleep on them for a couple weeks so they don't have any pressure and refrain from strenuous activities for ~4 weeks.  I would follow up with your plastic surgeon who can guide you on their specific post-operative care instructions.

Justin Yovino, MD, FACS · Answer

I love this procedure because it is comfortably performed under local anesthesia with light sedation. The donor areas are usually the tummy, love handles, and flanks but can also be the arms, thighs, and knees. It's a couple of days of feeling sore so patients usually take 2-3 days off of work. I like to have my patients stay away from vigorous exercise for 2 weeks and then gradually return to a full gym routine. A soft bra is recommended for around 4 weeks. I recommend at least 2 weeks of sleeping on your back to avoid pressure on the transfered fat. Sex is ok at any point but usually it takes 2-3 days before you're feeling up to it.

Scott W. Vann, MD, FACS · Answer

Fat grafting to breast leads to swelling that last for several days, but very minimal pain. But it will be about 3 months before you know how much of the graft takes and what your final appearance is. More of the swelling and soreness in this operation is due to the fat donor area. But the swelling and soreness is gone in a few weeks and you not only have larger breasts, but a smaller nicer contour of the donor area you chose.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Recovery after natural breast augmentation with fat graftingI agree that most of the recovery is related to the removal of the fat.You should wear a gently compressive bra.  I allow my patients to increase activity as they feel comfortable

Robert W. Kessler, MD, FACS · Answer

The recovery time from fat transfer to the breast is more related to the liposuction than it is to the breast. The areas where fat is removed will require compression garments and decreased activity. I restrict physical activity for 2 weeks, this includes sexual activity. Post operative compression garments will be necessary on the liposuction sites and sports bras are used for 4-6 weeks after surgery.Although you will be able to resume your activity the final results of fat grafting are not evaluated until 3-6 months.Seek out a board certified plastic surgeon to evaluate you and inform you about what can be accomplished with your own fat.good luck and I hope this was helpful

Stephen J. Ronan, MD, FACS · Answer

The recovery from fat to breast transfer is fairly quick and usually shorter than the lipousction used to harvest the fat.  Most patients are back to work in a week or less and low impact aerobics within 10 days.  Good luck.

How long is recovery for fat transfer breast augmentation?

Answers (16)

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