If I don't have enough fat for fat grafting, can someone else's fat be used?

Question

Interested in breast augmentation but don't want implants. Not looking to get it done any time soon but I just wanted to know if that was an option for future references.

Jaime S. Schwartz, MD, FACS · Answer

I appreciate your question

I perform a natural breast augmentation with fat. This can be removed from any unwanted areas including the breast itself as part of my lipo-lift procedure. I perform the fat grafting in multiple planes including under the muscle to give the best, most natural enhancement. Fat grafting is a great solution for someone who wants to bring their breast size up a cup or so and use natural tissue vs an implant. However, it can also be combined with an implant or used as a secondary procedure to fill in areas that are flat or thin. It does not affect mammograms or breast feeding. It can be a little lump or hard at first but tends to soften over time.

About 60-70% of the grafted fat survives.  At 6 months you will have a good idea of your results. Some women have a second or third procedure which continues to increase your volume safely.

And in response to your question, no this is not possible.  Your body would reject it.

The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam.  Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic breast plastic surgery.

Best of luck!

Dr. Schwartz

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

#RealSelf100Surgeon

#RealSelfCORESurgeon

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Using someone else's fat is the same as getting someone else's kidneys, or heart.  Your body would mount a huge immune response and reject it, killing you in the process.  For organ transplants, because it's a matter of life and death, patients are put on strong anti-rejection meds which have many negative side-effects.  Nobody would put you on such a harsh regiment and risk your health and life to allow you to have fat transfer from someone else ;-)When you do not have any fat that you can use, consider using saline implants.  It's just a bag of water ;-)

Don W. Griffin, MD · Answer

You cannot have someone else's fat injected into your body because your immune system will reject the fat just like someone would reject an organ transplant. While there are immune suppression drugs that can prevent rejection, they must be taken for the rest of your life and have serious complications that are not worth the risk for a fat transfer procedure.

Morris Ritz, MB, BCh, FRACS · Answer

You do need your own fat for fat transfer, you are unable to use someone else's fat as your body will reject it.

Maida Parkins, MD · Answer

At this time, it is not possible to use someone else's fat for fat grafting (it would be similar to having a transplant of a kidney or other organ and require immune suppressing medication- not worth it for a cosmetic procedure)  Some of my patients are very thin and are worried about not having enough fat to harvest but in that case a small amount can be removed from multiple areas of the body in order to have enough for grafting.  Best wishes!

Robert Shenker, MD · Answer

If I had a nickel for every patient who asked me if they could use someone else's fat, I would be a rich man!Sadly, it is just not possible at this time.  Your immune system would not tolerate the stimulus produced by someone else's fat.  But wow, wouldn't it be great if it was possible!!It's too bad you do not want implants.  Breast augmentation with implants is a safe operation that produces very satisfied patients.All the best,Dr. Robert Shenker MD FRCSC

If I don't have enough fat for fat grafting, can someone else's fat be used?

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