How much cc's of fat per breast would a thin woman need to go up 1/2 a cup size?

Question

I am thin (110-105 lbs, 5’4 ft) and petite (my waist is 23 1/2 inches). My band size is 32 (I think, Im not positive) and my cup size is a B-C cup. I just want a bit of upper pole fullness, maybe a 1/2 cup size. I have a bit of stubborn fat around my thighs (mainly banana roll area). I dont mind multiple sessions. How much cc per breast would I need to increase a 1/2 a cup size? Where else can I find fat on my body? Thanks

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

At size 32, each 100 cc of fat corresponds to 1/2 cup size change. However, not all fat that is transferred survives. Only 60% survives so you would need 80 cc of fat to have 50 cc survive for 1/2 cup size change. One area that the fat can be taken from is the anterior thigh.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

3/4 cup size increase is about average for one fat transfer procedure. The fat transfer volumes to each breast may range from 240 cc to 360 cc in most cases. About 50% of the fat survives, on average. 
Thinner patients are outstanding candidates in my opinion, because the fat transferred is extremely resistant. Results are largely dependent upon the skill of the surgeon, his/her ability to remove fat without creating contour deformities, and your expectations.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

Don't even bother with fat transfer. It works poorly in most cases. In your case it could be difficult to harvest enough fat because you are small. But those areas you remove fat from could potentially have ripples and dents. It's a bad idea all around. By the way some surgeons will recommend you gain weight so they can harvest more fat. (I only wish I were kidding). That's an even worse idea. If still not convinced, look at the website of doctors who recommend fat transfer and check out their before and after photos.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear seriousmitten,
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

Fat in the banana roll area is not enough fat for a breast transfer. You showed no photos, so I would recommend meeting with a board certified plastic surgeon and being examined to see if you are a candidate for a transfer and what reasonably could be expected.

Aleksandr Shteynberg, MD · Answer

Hello seriousmitten. 
To increase breast volume by about 1/2 of cup size in a B-C cup range you probably need about 100 ml of fat per breast. It is important to know that 30-40% of the transferred fat will reabsorb and disappear. It seems you are aware of the possible need for multiple sessions since fat needs to receive nutrients from a new location and a large amount of fat transferred into a small area can reabsorb, form a cyst or develop necrosis. Filling up upper poles may not necessarily increase a bra cup. 
Fat may be harvested from almost anywhere: abdomen, back, side of the body, upper arms, and as you mentioned thighs. 
It is an important consideration that on fairly skinny people it is often quite difficult to get an adequate amount of fat. A very aggressive fat harvesting may result in surface deformities: grooving, firm areas, skin necrosis. Some patients would look into breast implants possibilities. 
Best. 
A. Shteynberg, M.D. F.A.C.S.Diplomate, American Board of Plastic SurgeryNew York, NY.

Douglas Taranow, DO, FACOS · Answer

Photos would aid in an accurate answer.  Luckily, the breasts require much less fat to make a big difference   Your expectations are realistic (1/2 cup size increase) so I’d guess around 75-100 cc’s per side should make a difference 
Best wishes 
Dr. Taranow

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

My breast fat transfer procedures based on having a sufficient amount of fat to harvest tend to vary between 450 mL to 900 mL per side. The average is probably 500 mL.

The great majority of patients asking for the procedure present just like you describe yourself.

Fat transfer will increase the breast by 1/2 to maximum 1 cup in size but does not change the shape of the breast.

It does not create great upper port fullness despite surgeons attempts of placing fat in the upper half of the breast.

The reason for this is fat survives based on where there is an abundance of hosed tissue and then those with pseudo ptosis that is going to be in the bottom half of the breast.

The correct treatment for restoring volume in the upper half of the breast is using a small implant. This works much better for changing the shape of the breast especially for those who don’t want to go much bigger.

Implants give excellent projection and restore volume in the upper half of the breast specifically.

It sounds like your goal is to change the shape of your breast and for that implants are clearly superior.

The two procedures are not at all synonymous in anyway and give a completely different types of results.

Results for fat transfer are not related to how much fat is injected but much more related to the abundance of host tissue and grafting technique.

Results vary dramatically based on who does the procedure.

There is a steep learning curve for fat transfer results. It’s important to only judge before and after pictures when results are taken at least three months from the date of the procedure. Providers who show early postoperative results are not doing the world a favor by trying to prove how good their results can look.  early fat transfer results can look very impressive but do not represent final results whatsoever.

Consult with multiple in person consultations in your community that have extensive experience with the procedure. Patient should go in with an open mind about alternative procedures that may in the end be superior.

For reference my practice has been devoted exclusively to liposuction and fat transfer for the last decade. I’ve been a board-certified plastic surgeon for 20 years and spent the first 10 years doing general plastic surgery of which 40% was breast surgery.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

How much cc's of fat per breast would a thin woman need to go up 1/2 a cup size?

Answers (8)

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