Fat Injections for Breast Augmentation Iffy

At the upcoming conference of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons a panel will discuss the effectiveness and safety of fat injections in breast tissue.

Studies have shown that fat injections do show promise in breast reconstruction, but their effectiveness and safety in breast augmentation has not shown to be as positive.

According to Dr.Gregory Scott, co-author of a study on fat injections to be presented at the ASPS conference, "My reconstruction patients could not be happier with the improvement fat transfer gives to the appearance of their breasts. The initial implant reconstruction sometimes leaves them with contour deformities or wrinkling, but fat injections can correct these problems and give their breasts a smoother, softer, more natural appearance."

Fat injection used in breast augmentation, on the other hand, is much more controversial. In reconstruction, fat is not injected into breast tissue the breast tissue is removed during mastectomy. In augmentation, fat is injected into breast tissue, which brings issues of safety and effectiveness into question. One reason for the controversy is that fat sometimes calcifies in the breast, which can cause problems during mammograms and be mistaken for cancerous growths. Another problem is that no one knows how just much fat is required to enlarge is breast satisfactorily. So far, breast augmentation using fat transfer has been required a lot of surgical time without a satisfactory level of enhancement.

Fat transfer is being studied for a variety of cosmetic procedures, including lip augmentation, and wrinkle reduction as well as breast reconstruction and augmentation.

For more information on Boston breast augmentation or breast reconstruction, contact board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Moss.