Fat grafting to refine breast cancer reconstruction results. Can it be done in-office?

Question

I see advertising for fat transfer to the face available as an in-office procedure. I have some minor rippling and divots to a silicone implant based breast cancer reconstruction and a small ridge/shelf where my chemo port had been. I think (hope) I need just a little refining with a bit of fat transfer to finally move past all of this. Can breast cancer patients have this done in-office? Or will surgeons do that only for cosmetic patients?

Allen Gabriel, MD, FACS · Answer

Fat grafting is an excellent option for patients to achieve better results following breast reconstruction.  In office fat grafting can be done if its a small area but generally its done at the hospital for insurance purposes.

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

This can be done  office only if your surgeon has an operating room suite that is accredited for insurance procedures. You need to check with the surgeon to see if this is case. Otherwise this can be done nicely in the hospital

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Hello!  Thank you for your question!   Fat grafting is an excellent modality for contouring the reconstructed breasts.  It has become a mainstay in breast reconstruction, let alone plastic surgery in general, for its stem cell properties as well as uses as fillers and contouring.   It it is certainly a possibility to have fat grafting done for refinement of your breast reconstruction, whether it be for increasing size, masking rippling, filling concavities, ameliorating radiation deformities, etc.  If only a small area is needed and the donor site can be harvested simply via tumescent and local anesthesia, it is acceptable to have this done as an in-office procedure. If, of course, you are able to tolerate it and your surgeon is both willing and capable with supplies and such to perform this in the office.  I routinely perform this in this manner for several patients. Hope that this helps.  Best wishes for a wonderful result!

Hilton Becker, MD · Answer

Fat grafting is an excellent technique for enhancing the results of breast reconstruction.It can be done in the office under local anesthesia  for smaller areas.Larger areas will require anesthesia.

Silvia C. Rotemberg, MD · Answer

Hi, fat transfer to improve the cosmetic result of breast reconstruction is certainly an option for you and can be done safely with sedation anesthesia in a surgery center or hospital.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

There are so many contingencies involved, that ONLY IN PERSON examination and consultation would allow a definitive response. Find a true expert fat grafter...

Robert Whitfield, MD · Answer

Please identify the surgeons that do breast reconstruction in your are.  Depending on where they operate it is possible to have it done at their office.Fat grafting is a valuable tool in breast surgery.  This technique has gained more popularity
over the past 7 years.  There are many
techniques used to harvest the fat, process the fat and then re-inject the fat.
Conventional suction lipectomy is performed with a small diameter cannula,
processed by separating the liquid and fibrous tissue from the fat, and then
placed into syringes for re-injection or through a closed system.

Please find an experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
and member of the Aesthetic Society using the Smart Beauty Guide.  These Plastic Surgeons can guide you on all
aspects of facial surgery, breast augmentation and body procedures including
tummy tucks or mommy makeovers!

Edward S. Gronka, MD · Answer

It can be done in the office. However, it always seems to take more than you think to fill the defects. I think that rinsing the fat helps to eliminate the fractured cellular elements and makes for a healthier graft. Your surgeon may not have the equipment to do it in the office.Sometimes it is difficult to harvest enough fat under local.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

Fat grafting requires the harvesting of fat and then injection in layers to fill in volume deficits.  The procedure can be done under local anesthesia.  Many insurance companies will not cover in office procedures.   This may be the only road block to the in office procedure.

Fat grafting to refine breast cancer reconstruction results. Can it be done in-office?

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