Breast fat transfer on thin person?

Question

I am a 38 yr old female, over 15 yrs post breast cancer (lumpectomy on one side) and post 2 children (breastfed both from the other side). I’ve now been at a stable weight of about 110 lbs at 5”4 for about 6 months. I would like to improve my breast symmetry and have a small lift on the side that breast fed as it is a bit deflated. I have done a lot of research on implants and the risks outweigh the benefits for me. So fat transfer is the only option, but I am not sure it can be done.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Jadore01,
generally speaking, you want to reach your goal weight before you consider surgery, otherwise your results will be suboptimal if you continue to lose weight after the surgery. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

There is no such thing as research on the internet. For the lay public, it's a jungle of mostly misinformation, much of which is designed to misinform. You can only make a good risk/benefit analysis when given correct information. A perfect example is your conclusion that the risks of implants outweigh the benefits. Breast cancer patients get implants all the time, and their risk of recurrent breast cancer is the same as for women that didn't get implants. The other big source of misinformation is systemic symptoms from breast implants, formally BII. It simply isn't a real illness. There is no agent that causes it, and if there was, we would be seeing a similar phenomenon in patients with other types of implants made of the identical material: testicular implants, finger and wrist joint implants, facial implants, chronic urinary catheters, and brain shunts. You may be a good candidate for fat grafting, but you'll need an in person examination to determine that, not just height and weight. Regardless, don't count out breast implants.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

Although fat transfer is possibly a worthwhile option it sounds like you don’t have much excess fess fat to harvest. You might consider saline if silicone scares you. Saline implants work just fine and are more worry free

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

If you have donor fat, then a transfer may be done. If you do not have donor fat, then the transfer is not an option. Do not try to gain weight just to have the transfer.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Most patients who have lumpectomy surgery typically also have radiation treatment. After radiation treatment a lot of procedures become contraindicated and will have high complication rates and failure rates. This includes breast implants and fat transfer. I suggest having a few in person consultations with plastic surgeons who have extensive experience doing breast cancer reconstruction.
Your post didn’t really include a question. You also didn’t include any pictures.
I suggest scheduling in person consultations with plastic surgeons in your community to get a better assessment and better understanding of treatment options.
Breast cancer patients can get symmetry surgery covered by medical insurance.
Look for plastic surgeons who are involved with breast reconstruction in your community.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD

Breast fat transfer on thin person?

Answers (5)

Answer: Breasts

Answer: Breasts

Answer: Breast surgery after lumpectomy.

Answer: Breast surgery after lumpectomy.

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Breast fat transfer on thin person?

Answers (5)

Answer: Breasts

Answer: Breasts

Answer: Breast surgery after lumpectomy.

Answer: Breast surgery after lumpectomy.

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Fat Transfer

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.