Does Hyperbaric Oxygen treatments help breast fat transfer retention? And if so how many treatments are needed?

Question

I'm planning on a BFT and the doctor recommended BOT for better retention. They are $400/session and not sure if 1-3 treatments would make a difference. It's expensive that I don't think I could afford 20+ treatments

Casey Anderson, MD, FACS · Answer

Breast fat transfer retention is not generally among the commonly described indications for hyperbaric oxygen (HBO). That being said, HBO is indicated for wound healing and increased blood flow which are required after breast fat grafting. If money were no object, you could give it a try as the risk profile is low. I don't think there are any good studies for this specific topic though. Best of luck!

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

There are no studies done with hyperbaric oxygen and healing following breast fat transfer. I am not sure that a lower pressure chamber would help either. I always recommend that patients follow their plastic surgeons' protocol as their PSs are responsible for their healing.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

Hyperbaric oxygen has not been studied for this purpose. If the surgeon recommends this, it reflects pessimism on his part that fat transfer works at all. I think the whole thing will be very disappointing and a waste. But I have a suggestion. Ask that surgeon to show you his results at one year.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Willowdale55,
fat viability depends a lot of surgeon technique. The fat has to be placed back into the buttocks as soon as possible so that it has a greater chance of survival. It has to be placed carefully so that not too much fat is placed in only one area. 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

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Hyperbaric oxygen treatments could be helpful, but are not necessary for fat transfers. If you wish, consider getting just 3 to help boost the healing early.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Hyperbaric oxygen timed exactly right might potentially have an incremental benefit for fat transfer. In comparison to variation in surgeons skill, approach experience and technique it’s probably fairly insignificant.

Tissue transfer is based on various stages of the tissue surviving. The first stage is called plasmatic ambition followed by inosculation and finally neovascularization.

All of this typically happens within the first five days.

If that cells have not become revascularized within that time they will not survive regardless of what is done.

Weather hyperbaric oxygen gives more support during these faces or not is questionable.

There is no good evidence and in general hyperbaric oxygen evidence is fairly weak.

Those who are in favor of this treatment for a variety of purposes seem to be very excited about it and the rest of the medical community don’t think of it as being all that important.

Personally the skill, experience and technique used in grafting in carefully placing fat diffusely throughout every layer of tissue is the most important aspect.

This in combination with Making accurate assessments and setting expectations correctly is the end all when it comes to delivering high-quality results with this procedure.

Fat transfer is limited in what it can deliver. When done correctly it can’t deliver very nice fairly subtle improvements in breast volume only.

It is not a good procedure for changing the shape of a breast but can increase the size 1/2 to one full cup as a permanent long-term result if done correctly.

When reviewing results especially on the Internet be very careful to confirm after pictures were taken at least three months from the date of the procedure. Early postoperative results can look very impressive but these are not at all representative final results.

For those who want a substantial increase in breast volume implants are far more reliable and predictable.

For reference I should tell you that my practice has been devoted exclusively to only liposuction and fat transfer for the last 10 years.

I’ve been a board-certified plastic surgeon for over two decades.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Does Hyperbaric Oxygen treatments help breast fat transfer retention? And if so how many treatments are needed?

Answers (6)

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