Should I get a fat transfer when I have an explant?

Hello @deedee44, thank you for your question. Everything depends on the surgical technique of the specialist performing surgery. Remember that any kind of explant must be complete, that is, the surgeon must remove the whole capsule out. Complete capsulectomy. Also it would be necessary to carry out a preventive biopsy on each capsule. In any case, I do not perform breast fat transfer during a breast implant removal procedure because for me, the breast explant must be performed with a breast reconstruction in which the mammary tissue is placed adequately in place again. If the fat seeding is done at the same time, it might get infected or die; there is no guarantee that the seeding will stick. with breast fat transfer is posible to go up one size. If you are considering a breast explantation, consultation with a plastic surgeon who is experienced in this procedure is essential to ensure optimal results. Best wishes!

Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science” Member (IFATS), Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery member (SCCP).

Hello, thank you for your question. Deciding between a simple explant and an explant with fat transfer is a significant choice, and it’s great that you’re gathering information to make an informed decision. Please see the attached video to discuss your question in detail.

Dear deedee44,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. This combination can be great option for right candidates. 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

Those are great questions. In my practice, often patients elect to have breast explant surgery with a breast lift. For those patients who choose to do a fat transfer, I recommend waiting at least six months postop. That allows for adequate healing time, increased patient safety, and a higher likelihood of a successful transfer. I hope this information helps. Best of luck on your journey.

After explant, you will have 2 problems: one is lose of volume and the second is excess hanging skin. The technique I recommend is explantation and lift using The Bellesoma Method. The implants are removed, your breast tissue is reshaped creating upper pole fullness, elevated higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage. Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained if not injured during your previous surgery. Later, fat transfers can be performed if additional volume is desired.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

There are pros and cons to fat transfer that should be discussed prior to you making your final decision. Often times patients underestimate the amount of fat required to be harvested to produce a given cup size. Not all fat "takes" and potentially it can take unevenly, which could necessitate revisions in the future. I encourage you to discuss the procedure with your surgeon and ensure that you have a clear understanding of what you can expect before making your final decision.

If you want more volume, fat could possibly be added when the removal is done. The fat is placed in actual breast tissue and not in the pocket of the implant. If your actual breast tissue is very thin, you may need to wait on the transfer. Also, you may only gain up to one cup in size with fat.

Delivering consistent quality, liposuction, and fat grafting results is not as easy as people think.The number of plastic surgeons who truly mastered these procedures, are in a small minority.
The biggest issue with having fat grafting done in conjunction with explantation is, you will have no reference in regards to their fat, grafting results.
Your breasts will no longer look at the way they did pre-augmentation.
Before considering having that transfer, patient should make sure their provider has the skills and experience to deliver both Liposuction and fat transfer results.
Bing board-certified in plastic surgery with years of experience does not mean somebody has mastered any one particular procedure especially not Liposuction and fat transfer.
Poorly done Liposuction can leave people permanently disfigured.
The following are some general recommendations for how to find the right provider.
To find the best provider, I suggest patient schedule multiple in person consultations with experienced plastic surgeons in their community. During each consultation, ask each provider to open up their portfolio and show you their entire collection of before and after pictures of previous patients who have similar body or facial characteristics to your own. An experienced plastic surgeon should have no difficulty showing you the before and after pictures of at least 50 previous patients. An experienced provider should in fact have hundreds or preferably thousands of before and after pictures to choose from for commonly performed procedures.
Being shown a handful of preselected images, representing the best results of a provider’s career is insufficient to get a clear understanding of what average results will look like in the hands of each provider.
There is no correct number of consultations needed to find the best provider. The more consultations you scheduled the more likely you are to find the best provider for your needs.
Take careful notes during each consultation, especially regarding the quantity and quality of before and after pictures. It’s not a bad idea to bring pictures of your own body/face to use as reference when reviewing before and after pictures.
The biggest mistake patients make is scheduling only one consultation without properly vetting or comparing providers before scheduling surgery.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD

The decision to undergo a fat transfer procedure (autologous fat grafting) in conjunction with breast implant removal (explantation) depends on various factors, including your aesthetic goals, individual anatomy, and the specifics of your explantation procedure. Here are some considerations:1. Aesthetic Goals: Fat transfer can be used to enhance breast volume and shape naturally. If your goal is to achieve a modest increase in breast size or improve breast contour without implants, fat transfer may be a suitable option.2. Tissue Quality: The success of a fat transfer procedure depends on the availability of suitable donor fat, typically harvested from areas like the abdomen, thighs, or flanks. The quality and quantity of available fat will influence the outcomes.3. Post-Explantation Tissue Changes: After breast implant removal, there may be changes in the breast tissue and skin. The condition of the breast tissue, as well as the presence of any scar tissue from the explantation, can impact the results of a fat transfer procedure.4. Surgeon's Expertise: It's crucial to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in both explantation and fat transfer procedures. They can assess your individual case, discuss realistic expectations, and determine if fat transfer is an appropriate option for you.5. Healing and Recovery: Fat transfer involves the harvesting and injection of fat, which may require a recovery period. The timing of fat transfer in relation to your explantation and overall healing process should be carefully considered.6. Alternative Options: If fat transfer is not suitable or desired, other options like a breast lift (mastopexy) or allowing the natural healing and settling of the breast tissue post-explantation may be considered.Before making any decisions, schedule a consultation with a skilled plastic surgeon. They can evaluate your individual case, discuss your goals, and provide recommendations based on your unique anatomy and circumstances. Remember that individual responses to these procedures can vary, and it's important to have realistic expectations about the outcomes.