Do ALL fat transfers shrink before expanding to their final size?

Dear 2004sable,
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

Hello @2004sable, thank you for your question. By transferring fat to the breast, the fat cells exctracted to be seeded in the breast acquire a position in which the body can enervate them and make them stay and last. If the patient is at a different weight when the fat is put on and then gains weight, the cells tend to grow. Otherwise they do not have a process of decrease or expansion. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science” Member (IFATS), Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery member (SCCP)

I have never heard that transferred fat will gradually grow. It might if you gain weight but that’s hardly a reasonably solution. You can try a second fat transfer. Just keep your expectations modest

Some fat is lost early on, so yes, the transfer does shrink. However, fat does not grow without weight gain. The size of any fat cell is not permanent since it is designed to expand and shrink depending upon your diet.

Patience will leave surgery at the largest size immediately after surgery. From then on fed will either die and be reabsorbed or become revascularized and stay alive. that process happens within the first couple of weeks. It takes the body a few months to dispose of the necrotic leftover fat that didn’t survive. this typically creates a fairly rapid reduction in size over the first six weeks that gradually continues for about 3 to 4 months. at that point results will only change if you change in weight.
There’s no such thing as the fat shrinking and re-expanding.
The only explanation for that would be in conjunction with weight fluctuations.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD