Can I use my own tissue to make my left breast bigger? It's smaller due to lumpectomy and radiation 1st stage cancer.

Question

I would like to use my own tissue to make left breast bigger and fat fillers for fullness to both breast. Don't want breast lift and want them to hang natural.

Vinay Gundlapalli, MD · Answer

Fat transfer or Fat grafting is a great option to increase the size of your left breast and possibly both breasts. Fat grafting also helps soften radiated tissues. You may need few sessions to serially increase the volume of the breasts. There are few down sides of fat grafting but over all its a great option.

David Parizh, DO · Answer

Without seeing pictures or examining you I can only talk generally. There are many autologous (your win tissue) options that have a ladder of complexity going from fat grafting, local flaps (e.g. latissimus) or free tissue transfer (e.g. DIEP). A plastic surgeon who has all these tools in his armamentarium can help guide you in the process to meet your specific needs and aesthetic goals. Best of luck in your search!

Anna Steve, MD · Answer

Fat transfer is a great option for correcting lumpectomy and radiation related asymmetries after breast reconstruction. Fat is removed from the body using liposuction and can be transferred to the breasts to add natural volume.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Toni16455,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. Generally speaking, it is possible to use fat transfer to correct irregularities. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. 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

David Light, MD · Answer

It is possible to use your own tissue tissue to reconstruct the volume lost following a lumpectomy and radiation. This would be considered partial breast reconstruction. Local tissue flaps from the flanks and back can be used to replace the tissue removed during the lumpectomy. Examples of these flaps include intercostal perforator flaps, thoracodorsal perforator flaps or partial latissimus dorsi flaps. Perforator flaps are successful, but are more technically challenging and you should look for someone with microsurgical fellowship training or extensive experience with these procedures. Fat grafting is also an excellent option to add additional volume to the breasts or treat contour abnormalities. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. I authored the Oncoplastic Surgery section of our website and have attached a link for your review. All the best.

Frederic H. Corbin, MD (license restricted) · Answer

The simple answer is YES!  So go on some complimentary consultations and compare recommendations after a full examination and discussion of desired results

Dr Corbin

Joshua T. Tieman, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Absolutely! This is referred to as an autologous breast augmentation, or in your case, autologous breast reconstruction because of your cancer diagnosis. Autologous simply means using your body's own tissue to replace what you lost with the lumpectomy. Nowadays this is most commonly corrected using fat grafting. Fat is harvested from somewhere on your body using liposuction techniques and then re-injected into the breast that is lacking volume. It is a great option and your plastic surgeon should be able to walk you through the process during your consultation.

Can I use my own tissue to make my left breast bigger? It's smaller due to lumpectomy and radiation 1st stage cancer.

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