breast revision

WILL FAT TRANSFER BE A BETTER OPTION THAN BREAST IMPLANTS?

breast augmentationIn plastic surgery like all of medicine we are always seeking new ways to achieve better results. Fat transfer to various parts of the body has become popular and efficient to achieve better results in certain circumstances. However, when it comes to the breast for transfer in my opinion has very limited value over breast implants.

First, I always assess the position of the breasts on the chest before recommending breast augmentation. Often the patient will have significant excess skin and laxity of the breasts and may need a list. However, if in fact skin position is adequate then straightforward increase in size may be indicated.

Fat-Transfer or Breast Implants?

This then requires the input of the patient to determine what size they wish to be. Small increases in volume provided the patient has significant fat donor sites may be achievable with fat transfer only. The fat is removed, it is filtered and prepared for injection. This is all within a closed sterile system. However, if a more significant size for the breast is the goal and if the fat availability on the patient is limited then breast implants are a better, more reliable, and more permanent choice. It’s unpredictable how much of the fat will disappear therefore this is a drawback. Occasionally I will do breast implants with fat transfer to add additional volume and shape.

This is a reasonable way to approach the issue. Keep in mind fat transfer may need to be repeated because some of the fat is lost. Also, older breast implants from the 80s and 90s may need to be redone. Overall, in our practice we see great results within limits for transfer, breast implants, and the combination of both. We always want to look and feel her best.

THOMAS TREVISANI, MD
BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON
MEMBER AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AESTHETIC PLASTIC SURGERY
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