How many times can Breast Fat Transfer be done, and can the same area be harvested for fat more than once?

Question

I am looking for a large size increase with this procedure and will definitely incorporate BRAVA for pre-expansion. But I was wondering how many times this procedure can be done realistically? Also I was wondering how many times a certain area can be harvested for fat cells, and how much time would be required between each fat harvesting session? I don't like the look of breast implants, and money is not a huge factor for me. Thanks!

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question!  There is no limit to the amount if times fat grafting can be performed. It is not uncommon to require serial injections to achieve the desired result, as some fat does not survive and you have to await swelling to subside and the fat to settle to see results. Typically, each session is separated by 6-12 weeks.  The same area can certainly be used as a donor site again.  Hope that this helps!  Best wishes!

Alexander Aslani, MD · Answer

Multiple sessions in fat grafting to the breast are common. In aesthetic breast augmentation usually one or two session should give you a decent outcome, in breast reconstruction sometimes 4-5 sessions maybe required.I usually do this is 3 months steps avoiding to use the same harvest zone twice within three months.

Edward S. Gronka, MD · Answer

What do you mean when you say large volume increase.?   That is difficult and maybe not possible with fat grafting.  You might re think the possibility of an implant

Timothy Connall, MD, FACS · Answer

You will need to have a consultation with an experienced surgeon.  In my practice total breast reconstruction is done after mastectomy.  Multiple fat grafting sessions are required.  The same principle can be applied to breast augmentation.  The limiting factor is the available fat that can be harvested with liposuction.  Generally, patients seeking large changes in breast size are best suited for implants.  However, a multiple stage fat grafting approach can be effective.Best wishes.

Hilton Becker, MD · Answer

I prefer injecting small volumes of fat at a time and repeat the procedure several times.A limiting factor is the amount of fat you  have .It is possible to re harvest fat from an area, however over resection can lead to depressions and scarring.

Michael B. Tantillo, MD · Answer

Fat transfer can be done multiple times and an area of the body can be treated with liposuction more than once.I would suggest that you consult with a surgeon with experience in both fat transfer as well as implant augmentation and go into the consultation prepared to listen to the pros and cons of each procedure with an open mind.  I say this because of your comment that you don't like the look of implants.  Implant augmentation can certainly be done in such a way that the breast looks quite natural and no one would guess the patient has breast implants.  You and your surgeon might also discuss a combination of implant and fat augmentation.  Fat transfer is a great tool and fat transfer breast augmentation is a great operation for many patients; I just think you will be well served to have a discussion with a qualified plastic surgeon after she/he examines you rather than presupposing that serial fat transfer is your best option.

Antonio Gayoso, MD · Answer

Breast augmentation using your own tissue (fat grafting) is a great method for increasing breast size without using an implant and using the BRAVA device helps to allow for larger volumes of fat to be transferred with each surgical setting and may help with the survival of the fat that is transferred. While there is no hard and fast rule about how often a site can be used as a donor site, you will have a limited amount of fat in any one area. Additionally, the goal for the donor site is to not have it over utilized and therefore have some issues with contour deformities. If you are planning more than a single surgical setting for fat transfer, most plastic surgeons will utilize one area of your body at a time, depending on the amount of fat that is able to be harvested from that area. Subsequent fat grafting sessions can then use other donor sites, since repeat use of a donor site can be difficult due to scar formation. At my office, fat grafting sessions are scheduled at 3 month intervals and we follow the BRAVA protocol quite closely.

Ronald V. DeMars, MD (Retired) · Answer

If you want a large size increase fat grafting is not going to get it done. The most experienced surgeons using the BRAVA and all the new techniques rarely get more than 1/2 - 1 bra cup size increase.

How many times can Breast Fat Transfer be done, and can the same area be harvested for fat more than once?

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