Is a breast fat transfer risky?

Question

I am considering breast fat transfer. Breast implant sounds too scary but I really want my size to be bigger than it is now. Currently I am 34A and want to be 34B (or C through multiple procedure) if possible with fat transfer. I have researched and there are those who claim breast fat transfer is safe. And there are those who claim breast fat transfer is risky. What I am more worried about is a possible inflammation caused by injected fat. Any insight on the risk would be appreciated!

Rodger Shortt, FRCSC · Answer

Fat transfer to the breast is generally safe.  It can provide great results that are soft and natural.  It also avoids implants and the implications of that.There are limits to fat transfer.  Approximately 50% of the volume injected is lost, so multiple surgeries are needed if you want a large change in size.  Some of the fat that does not survive can lead to calcifications on mammograms which may make proper breast diagnosis more difficult.  With that said, most radiologists can easily identify fat necrosis from cancer.  Do make sure they are aware when you have you mammogram.  Cysts are possible, which is why it must be done carefully (drop by drop).  Many surgeons lack the patience to do this procedure.  Be certain that your surgeon is very interested in this to get the best yield and least risk of cysts.  Finally there used to be concern that stem cells that get transferred can increase cancer rates.  This seems not to be the case in several big papers. But it is still something I have a discussion about with my patients.There are several other things your surgeon must discuss with you at the time of your consultation, but these are some of the key ones.Dr Rodger Shortt, plastic surgeon in Oakville, Ontario.

John L. Burns Jr., MD · Answer

Breast augmentation with autologous fat is a safe and reliable method of breast enhancement.  This is an excellent option for patients wanting a conservative augmentation with a natural result.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

A person’s own fat may be used to improve the appearance of his or her body by moving it from an area of excess (or where it is less desired, such as the thighs, hips or abdomen) to an area that has lost tissue volume due to aging, trauma, surgery, certain diseases, birth defects, or other causes.Ideal candidates are in good health, and have excess fat in some parts of the body and too little in other regions. Fat grafting is most often used for the face, breasts and buttocks. Typically, the transferred fat results in a significant increase in volume of the body site being treated.Fat for lipoinjection, also called fat transfer, is removed from unwanted areas of the body by a narrow blunt tip surgical instrument with side holes, called a cannula, through a small incision. The fat is then cleaned with sterile saline solution before being restored to the body. The fat is then injected into the desired area using either a smaller cannula or needle, or it may be placed directly through an incision. Since some of the fat that is transferred does not remain over time, your surgeon may inject more than is ultimately needed to achieve the desired end result. Over a few weeks, the amount of transferred fat will decrease.There is a limit of how much fat can be safely injected into one area. The amount of fat that remains over time is variable from patient to patient. For some patients, more fat or other fillers may need to be transferred in a subsequent surgery to maintain or supplement the desired results.Fat transfer to the breast involves a relatively short recovery - just a few weeks.#breastaugmentation#BA#fattransferBA

Clark Schierle, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

The procedure is generally considered safe but not completely predictable. You final results can vary depending on the quality of fat and the soft tissues of your breasts. Pretreating your breasts with the BRAVA subatmospheric pressure system can help improve your results. Seek out a board certified plastic surgeon with experience or special training in this area.

Don W. Griffin, MD · Answer

Fat transfer to the breast is not unsafe, but may ot produce the desired size increase and can create micro calcifications in the breast. While theese calcifications do look different from cancerus or precancerous calcifications, they may obscure the more dangerous calcifications if you have a lot of them. This means that it may be harder for a radiologist to accurately read calcifications on your mammogram.As stated by others, there are other potential problems with fat transfer and the volume increase is only modest and repeated surgeries may be needed.

Samir Shureih, MD · Answer

Fat transfer to the breast for breast augmentation is not without risks. Any woman considering fat transfer to the breast needs to understand the long and short term effects.Fat can die and will cause fat necrosis and micro and macro calcification that potentially can interfere with mammogram. Can also cause oil cysts, lumpiness, These findings can lead to the need for further studies and biopsies. Fat may or may not take, and result in asymmetry. These issues are not as important in fat transfer to the buttocks or face, because there is no potential of breast cancer diagnosis interference.Breast Implants have their own set of potential risks and complications and need for further surgery. Therefore one needs to understand all these risks and problems and decide which set of risks are you willing to accept and live withWe can get great results with fat transfer and breast implants for the sake of breast augmentation.

Melek Kayser, MD (retired) · Answer

Thank you for your question. As we continue to learn more about fat grafting we continue to refine our techniques and improve the variabilities that are associated with it. Fat grafting appears to be relatively technique dependent so you will likely have better outcomes with more experienced surgeons. Having performed fat grafting in my practice for nearly 15 years, this experience has certainly been beneficial. In any case, fat does not appear to create issues that would result in hurting your body with regard to inflammation or immunity as it is your own tissue to begin with. It is also recommend  that you would seek out a board certified plastic surgeon. I hope this helps and have a wonderful day. Dr Kayser - Detroit

Ronald V. DeMars, MD (Retired) · Answer

When done by an experienced plastic surgeon, fat transfer to the breast can be safe. But even with the several weeks wearing the breast suction device first, you are only likely to get about 1/2 cup size permanent increase.

Is a breast fat transfer risky?

Answers (8)

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