Are you considering breast augmentation in Virginia? You’re not alone. In fact, nearly half of the women in the United States have considered getting breast implants at some point in their lives. But deciding to get breast implants is only part of the journey; it’s important to find a surgeon you trust to perform your procedure.
When considering breast augmentation, it’s crucial to do your research and choose a reputable plastic surgeon with experience performing breast implant procedures. You should look for a surgeon who is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has a proven track record of successful breast augmentation surgeries.
During your consultation with a plastic surgeon, you should discuss your goals and expectations for the procedure. Your surgeon will evaluate your anatomy, skin elasticity, and overall health to determine if you are a good candidate for breast augmentation. They will also help you choose the right size, shape, and type of implants for your desired results.
There are several different types of breast implants available, including saline implants, silicone implants, and gummy bear implants. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to weigh your options carefully with the guidance of your surgeon. You should also discuss the placement of the implants (under or over the muscle) and the incision location with your surgeon.
It’s important to have realistic expectations for your breast augmentation results. While a skilled plastic surgeon can enhance the size and shape of your breasts, it’s important to understand that no two bodies are the same, and results may vary. Your surgeon will work with you to create a customized surgical plan that will achieve the best possible outcome for your unique anatomy.
After your breast augmentation surgery, you will need to follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions carefully to ensure a smooth recovery. You may experience some discomfort, swelling, and bruising in the days following your surgery, but these symptoms should gradually improve. Your surgeon will schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and answer any questions you may have.
In conclusion, if you are considering breast augmentation in Virginia, take the time to research and find a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon who you trust. By working closely with your surgeon and setting realistic expectations, you can achieve the enhanced bustline you desire. Remember that the decision to undergo breast augmentation is a personal one, and it’s important to do what feels right for you and your body.
Breast Augmentation In Virginia
Breast augmentation surgery is a popular cosmetic procedure sought after by many women looking to enhance their bust. This surgical procedure offers a variety of options to address individual patient goals, such as increasing breast size, restoring fullness after weight loss or pregnancy, and improving breast projection.
There are various factors to consider when undergoing breast augmentation surgery, including choosing the right breast implant size, shape, and incision placement. The size of the breast implant is an important decision that should be made in consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Implants come in different sizes measured in cubic centimeters (cc) and can range from approximately 120cc to 850cc or more. Patients should consider their desired cup size, body frame, and natural breast tissue when selecting the appropriate implant size.
In addition to size, breast implants also come in different shapes, including round and teardrop (anatomical) shapes. Round implants tend to provide more fullness in the upper portion of the breast, while teardrop implants mimic the natural shape of the breast for a more subtle enhancement. The choice of implant shape will depend on the patient’s aesthetic goals and existing breast anatomy.
The placement of incisions for breast augmentation surgery can vary depending on the patient’s preference and anatomy. Common incision locations include inframammary (under the breast crease), periareolar (around the areola), transaxillary (in the underarm area), and transumbilical (belly button). Each incision placement has its advantages and limitations, so it is important to discuss these options with your surgeon to determine the most suitable approach.
Overall, breast augmentation surgery offers women the opportunity to achieve their desired breast size and shape, whether it be through increasing volume, restoring fullness, or enhancing projection. By considering factors such as implant size, shape, and incision placement, patients can work with their plastic surgeon to create a customized treatment plan that aligns with their aesthetic goals and anatomical considerations.
| OptionCharacteristicsImplant SizeMeasured in cubic centimeters (cc), ranging from 120cc to 850cc or moreImplant ShapeRound or teardrop (anatomical) shapes for different aesthetic outcomesIncision PlacementOptions include inframammary, periareolar, transaxillary, and transumbilical |
What is the cost of breast augmentation surgery?
In our Fairfax, Virginia plastic surgery office, the cost of breast implants generally ranges from about $5704 for saline implants to $6704 for silicone implants. The newer silicone gel implants cost more than saline, and some patients may have requirements which change the cost slightly. We do offer financing through CareCredit and accept credit cards for surgery. Read more about financing cosmetic surgery.
Who is an ideal candidate for breast augmentation?
Ideal candidates for breast augmentation have realistic expectations, understand the surgery’s limitations, and are emotionally mature. It is important to remember that as you increase from your original cup size, your breasts should appear more in proportion to your body. An excessive increase will result in disproportion and an unnatural appearance. During your consultation with Dr. Hess, you will discuss your goals and expectations for breast augmentation. Dr. Hess will be able to demonstrate what you will look like with various sized implants so that you can make an informed decision.
How do I choose the right implant size?
Today’s breast implants and surgical techniques can deliver a very natural look that balances body proportion. Both silicone gel and saline implants are safe and reliable options for breast augmentation. Individual anatomy must be taken into consideration for each patient, and people are often naturally asymmetrical, requiring two slightly different sized implants to achieve symmetrical results.
The same sized implant may also look different in different people. At Hess Plastic Surgery great care is taken in working with each patient to measure, assess and design the outcome, before surgery.
Should I choose saline or silicone implants?
Saline and silicone implants are the two options available to you, and each has relative advantages and disadvantages. It is important to carefully weigh your options and discuss this with Dr. Hess before making your final decision.
Where are the incisions made during breast augmentation?
The type & size of your breast implants, combined with the natural shape of your breasts, will determine how noticeable your incisions are. Generally, Dr. Hess makes the incisions under the breast slightly below the existing crease, which makes them less noticeable, or around the nipple/areola.
It is also possible to place the incisions in the armpit or belly button. However, these two incisions do not offer enough visualization to appropriately place the implants. In addition they may be more noticeable, especially the armpit incision, and if a complication occurs, it may be necessary to make a new incision under the breast or around the nipple/areola.
What is breast augmentation recovery like?
Immediately after surgery, most patients experience mild swelling and some discomfort. Many patients are able to resume desk work after as little as two days after breast augmentation and gradually resume exercise after 3 to 4 weeks. While you will have an immediate increase in breast size, t is important to remember that it can take a few months for final results to settle in, as your body adjusts and heals.
Can I have a breast lift during augmentation?
Many women who want breast augmentation, especially moms, will benefit from a breast lift as well. In the same operation, Dr. Hess can place breast implants while performing a circumareolar breast lift.
BREAST AUGMENTATION: PRICE, TRENDS & OTHER COMMON QUESTIONS
Breast augmentation consistently remains one of the top plastic surgery procedures in America. This popular treatment can add volume to the breasts and create flattering, feminine curves. However, many women have questions when they begin first researching this procedure. How do they choose the right breast implants? And how much does breast augmentation even cost?
If you’re in the Richmond, VA, area and considering breast implants, this blog is meant for you. Here are the answers to a few common questions we receive from our own breast augmentation patients.
What is breast augmentation?
Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that enhances the appearance of the breasts. Is it commonly used to increase the size of naturally small breasts or replace volume lost after pregnancy. Our practice uses the latest FDA-approved breast implants to create beautiful, satisfying results. Implants come in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and materials.
How do I choose the right breast implants?
Choosing the right breast implants depends on several different factors. Your age, body type, and desired results all affect your decision. Fill material and implant shape are two of the most important details. Saline implants are more affordable, but silicone gel provides a more natural look and feel. Round implants create more fullness, whereas teardrop-shaped implants mimic the shape of a real breast.
Each patient is unique, so there is no single type of “best” implant. During your private consultation, you’ll work together with your doctor to determine the best option for your needs.
How much does breast augmentation cost?
In the Richmond area, the price of breast augmentation averages around $6,500. It can range from $3,325 to $9,650, depending on the type of implants used, your doctor’s experience level, and where your surgery is performed.
Is breast augmentation painful?
Like any surgery, breast augmentation comes with a slight amount of discomfort, but it is not a painful procedure. You may experience bruising and tightness around the chest area while your implants settle into place. An elastic bandage or sports bra can provide support and minimize potential swelling. Your doctor may prescribe pain medication to keep you as comfortable as possible.
How long is breast augmentation recovery?
You will require around a week of rest after your breast augmentation. Supportive garments or drainage tubes may be needed for about two weeks after surgery. Discomfort will start to fade after 5 days, and you can return to work within a week. Refrain from vigorous activity, like weight lifting or running, for around 4 weeks after your procedure.
Curious about the type of results that are possible with the surgery? Browse our before-and-after gallery to see examples from real breast augmentation patients.
best breast cancer surgeon in richmond va
James V. Pellicane, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Dr. Pellicane received his undergraduate degree from The Johns Hopkins University and his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He completed his General Surgery residency at Virginia Commonwealth University/ The Medical College of Virginia and is board certified by the American Board of Surgery. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and is an active member of The American Society of Breast Surgeons. He founded Virginia Breast Center in 2005 with his partner, Dr. Polly Stephens, and they affiliated with Bon Secours in 2008 now with 4 surgeons serving all 4 Bon Secours hospitals in Richmond. Dr. Pellicane currently is the Director of Breast Oncology at the Bon Secours Cancer Institute in Richmond, VA.
Polly L. Stephens, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Dr. Stephens attended Bryn Mawr College for her undergraduate degree. She received her medical degree from Tulane University and completed a five-year general surgery residency at Waterbury Hospital Health Center, in Waterbury, Conn., an affiliate of Yale University School of Medicine. She is certified in general surgery by the American Board of Surgery and is an active member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons. Aside from a one-year sabbatical in New Zealand, Dr. Stephens has been a surgeon in Richmond since 1998.
Misti H. Wilson, M.D.
Dr. Wilson is a board certified surgeon. She received her medical degree from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine in 2002, graduating with honors. She completed her general surgery residency at the University of South Florida. Dr. Wilson then completed a fellowship in Diseases of the Breast from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. She is an active member of the American Society of Breast Surgery and the Society of Surgical Oncology.
Ida Vaclavik, NP
Mrs. Vaclavik received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing and her Master of Science, Family Nurse Practitioner degree from Georgetown University. Following her graduation from Georgetown, she worked at Sibley Memorial Hospital/Johns Hopkins Medicine in Washington, DC. During her time at Sibley, she treated patients with a variety of breast complaints, ran the high risk clinic and developed the breast cancer survivorship program. Mrs. Vaclavik continues this work at Virginia Breast Center. She works in the High Risk Clinic providing risk calculations, genetic testing and working with the patients to create a comprehensive screening and management plan. In addition, she sees patients in the Adolescent Breast Clinic, breast cancer survivors and patients of all ages with a range of breast health issues. Mrs. Vaclavik is board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, running and traveling.
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Richmond, Virginia Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Neil J. Zemmel, MD, FACS has dedicated his career to becoming the best plastic surgeon possible. He offers the full breadth of cosmetic, plastic, and reconstructive surgeries at Richmond Aesthetic Surgery. Dr. Zemmel is known throughout Richmond and the Mid-Atlantic area for having particular expertise in breast augmentation and advanced breast reconstruction and breast revision procedures. He also performs cosmetic surgery of the breast, face, and body, as well as reconstructive procedures of the breast, face, trunk, and extremities. In addition to the surgical side of his practice, Dr. Zemmel and his team offer medical grade spa services and numerous non-invasive laser treatments.
Dr. Zemmel was born in Norfolk, Virginia, and attended the Norfolk Academy preparatory school founded in 1728. During his early years, Dr. Zemmel was exposed to the internationally renowned plastic surgery program at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia. This early exposure had a tremendous influence on Dr. Zemmel, and he decided to pursue a career in Plastic Surgery in junior high school.
Upon graduation from the Norfolk Academy, Dr. Zemmel attended the prestigious College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. There he studied both science as well as fine arts. Dr. Zemmel discovered a passion for art and architectural history. Dr. Zemmel obtained a Bachelors of Science with Honors in Chemistry and minored in art history. He also concentrated in Physics, Mathematics, French, and Literature. He received numerous awards and scholarships for his work at William and Mary.
In 1994, Dr. Zemmel began studying medicine at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. Here Dr. Zemmel studied the basic sciences including physiology, anatomy, biochemistry, pharmacology, and pathology. He also rotated through all of the core medical specialties including internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, and family medicine, before pursuing his studies in surgery. Dr. Zemmel obtained the outstanding score of 98% on the United States Medical Licensing Exam Part I. Dr. Zemmel participated in medical research while at the University of Virginia and published four research papers in peer-reviewed medical journals.
Educational Background
In 1998, Dr. Neil J. Zemmel “matched” into the highly competitive combined 6 years Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery program founded by Dr. I. Kelman Cohen at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia. Dr. Zemmel completed a 1-year surgical internship followed by 2 additional years of General Surgery training. Dr. Zemmel received training in cardio-thoracic, vascular, transplant, trauma, and general surgery. He spent one full year learning the latest critical-care techniques in the intensive care unit. He scored 90th percentile on the General Surgery in-service exam.
In 2001, Dr. Zemmel then began training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. During this 3 year program, Dr. Zemmel’s training extended the full breadth of cosmetic and reconstructive techniques including head and neck reconstruction, hand and upper extremity surgery, microvascular surgery, breast reconstruction, burn reconstruction, and cosmetic surgery.
“Dr. Zemmel was very knowledgeable and detail-oriented, providing me ample opportunity to ask questions and discuss the potential surgery. Never did I feel rushed, like my needs and/or time was invaluable, or like I was ‘just another patient in an assembly line.’ Dr. Zemmel understands that each patient is unique, and is able to outline a plan according to one’s specific needs and goals. Best of all, I was able to TRY ON different size implants to get a better idea of what MY goals even were!”
Dr. Zemmel has participated in medical missions to Guatemala with the Operation Kids surgical mission group founded by Dr. Austin I. Mehrhof. Operation Kids travels to Guatemala annually and performs cleft lip, cleft palate, and burn reconstructions to those in need.
Zemmel has also published numerous scientific research papers on a wide range of subjects including the use of computers in medicine, microsurgery, burn surgery, and cosmetic surgery. Dr. Zemmel’s research interest is in breast reconstruction and cosmetic surgery of the breast and body. He has lectured on a wide range of topics including the latest techniques in liposuction, artificial skin technology, breast reconstruction, and new facial rejuvenation techniques.
Upon completion of his training, Dr. Zemmel entered private practice in Miami Beach, Florida in 2004 where he practiced Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery on South Beach and in greater Miami. He has made numerous media appearances and has been featured several times on local news programs in Miami and West Palm Beach, Florida. After 3 years in Florida, Dr. Zemmel returned to his native Virginia and founded Richmond Aesthetic Surgery in Richmond, Virginia.
Awards
In 2020, Dr. Zemmel was selected by Style Weekly as one of the Best Plastic Surgeons in the ‘Readers’ Choice’ award. The same year he was also recognized by the Richmond Times-Dispatch in their yearly ‘The Best’ awards. He has also been recognized as a Top Doc by Richmond Magazine multiple times and ‘Best of Virginia’ by Virginia Life magazine.
During 2016, Dr. Zemmel was one of only five doctors selected by Allergan to participate in a special preceptorship for advanced cosmetic breast surgery with Dr. Charles Randquist in Stockholm, Sweden. Dr. Randquist is renowned for his cosmetic breast surgery techniques, and by training under him, Dr. Zemmel was able to further hone his skills in providing highly aesthetic outcomes for his breast surgery patients.
With a commitment to high quality care and results, Dr. Zemmel has been featured in the media on several occasions to share his surgical expertise. This has included television features on the daytime talk show The Doctors, where he presented a complex body contouring procedure for a young man’s major weight loss. In another pro bono case, Dr. Zemmel has worked with a domestic violence survivor to repair a ruptured implant, which was aired on NBC 12 News. To further educate the public on plastic surgery, Dr. Zemmel has also provided insight on the latest procedural advancements in news stories over the years, including segments on VASER® Lipo for NBC 6 and SmartLipo® for NBC 29.
Dr. Zemmel in the Media
Dr. Zemmel holds medical licenses in Virginia. He performs surgery in his office suite, at St. Francis Hospital located in Midlothian, Virginia and at St. Mary’s Hospital in Richmond’s West End. Dr. Zemmel is currently Medical Director of Plastic Surgery Services at St. Francis Hospital.
Dr. Zemmel is a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Zemmel obtained this prestigious Board Certification in 2006. He is an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Zemmel is also a member of the Medical Society of Virginia.
What Is a Plastic Surgeon?
Although it may be surprising, plastic surgery procedures may be legally performed by doctors who are not plastic surgeons. Plastic surgeons spend years of additional education focusing on reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. During this time of specialized training, plastic surgeons study the intricate relationship among muscle, fatty tissue, skin, ligaments, and bone in order to safely and effectively perform complex procedures. Whether you seek to rebuild an area of the body after an injury, correct a birth abnormality, or cosmetically enhance your appearance, a plastic surgeon has the necessary knowledge to achieve natural looking, beautiful results.
What Does It Mean to Be a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon?
Not all plastic surgeons are certified, and not all board certifications are equal. Plastic surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) are required to have undergone at least six years of specialty training, pass rigorous examinations, and maintain high standards of plastic surgery excellence. This distinction allows patients to feel comfortable and safe when choosing a plastic surgeon. As a result of their additional training, board-certified plastic surgeons often have more experience than plastic surgeons who are not certified, which can ultimately lead to greater patient satisfaction. When researching the board certification of a potential plastic surgeon, look for doctors who are certified by the ABPS. The ABPS is the only organization to certify plastic surgeons that is also recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).
fat transfer breast augmentation
Is Fat Transfer to the Breast the New Implant?If you’ve ever personally considered getting a breast augmentation procedure, one that’s “natural” and “minimally invasive” probably sounds pretty great. With all the buzzword boxes checked, opting for a fat transfer to the breast — which is when a plastic surgeon liposuctions an area of the body that has fat to spare and injects that liposuctioned fat into the breast — over a traditional implant has gained serious traction, particularly within the natural-lifestyle crowd and those who are deterred by the very small but very real risk of implant complications.
“Understandably, the idea that one can achieve breast augmentation without the need for this foreign body while using one’s own natural tissue — just simply taking it from one spot to another — has a lot of appeal,” explains Philadelphia-based board-certified plastic surgeon Christian Subbio, M.D., adding that this newfound popularity has brought along a whole lot of confusion. “Not many people understand the limitations of fat transfer. They think it’s interchangeable with breast augmentation with an implant, but it is definitely not.”
Just like most choices in life, there are advantages and disadvantages to this particular procedure. Intrigued? Here are eight things you need to know before booking that appointment.
Fat transfer is not a replacement for an implant.
Fat is tricky. In regard to a fat transfer, even if a surgeon liposuctions the outer thighs, stomach, or buttocks, processes it delicately, and injects it slowly and gently — in other words, performs the surgery perfectly with complete precision — still, not every ounce of fat will survive the transfer.
“With a breast implant, I can choose whatever size I want and it doesn’t matter how much fat they lose, gain, or anything — the implant will look the same. That is a very predictable outcome,” says Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Sheila Nazarian, M.D. But with fat, she estimates that only about 50 to 70 percent of the injected fat will live. “Fat that’s transferred needs to be touching live [adipose] tissue in order to get oxygen and nutrients from that alive cell next to it,” she explains, meaning that the amount a surgeon is able to inject depends on what’s already there. For instance, an A cup won’t be able to sustain a C cup via fat transfer; realistically, they’re looking at an increase to “an A and a half.”
To compensate as much as possible for this estimated but unpredictable amount of volume loss, Dr. Nazarian will over-inject by around 20 percent. But the good news? The fat that takes is permanent, as long as a relatively consistent weight is maintained.
Fat transfer usually performed in tandem with another breast procedure.
Fat transfer to the breast is a procedure that Los Angeles-based plastic surgeon Kelly Killeen, M.D., performs “in a pretty big majority” of her breast-surgery patients, albeit for many different reasons. That said, it’s “a very rare patient who is a good candidate for a breast augmentation by fat grafting alone.”
Instead, Dr. Killeen injects fat to add small, subtle amounts of volume in the breast to “camouflage some minor contour issues and even hide edges of implants that may have become visible after breast cancer, surgery, or in women who are just very thin and their implant is quite visible.”
Injections to the breast are often placed in “the upper part and middle part,” according to Dr. Nazarian, or just underneath the areola. “Those are the typical areas because usually the fat of the breast tissue kind of settles to the bottom,” she says.
In Dr. Subbio’s practice, fat injections to the breast are often performed in conjunction with a breast lift, reduction, or a breast augmentation with implants.
A fat-transfer breast isn’t going to look like a breast with implants.
A big limitation with fat transfer to the breast, Dr. Subbio says, is that most women have a certain look in their mind. “They’ve become accustomed to what a traditional implant-based augmentation looks like — a round, physical, 3D structure,” he explains, adding that a physical implant shapes the breast to its form in a way that fat simply can’t. Dr. Stubbio continues: “It is not going to anywhere near as powerfully reshape the breast in the way that an implant can, and if a patient desires that look, she’s going to be sorely, sorely disappointed.”
Ideal candidates for fat-transfer augmentation have conservative goals.
Dr. Nazarian’s fat-transfer patients typically love and want to keep their smaller breasts, but “they’ve lost some volume at the top or definition of their cleavage,” she says, adding that they don’t want an implant look. “They’re looking for just a little boost — a little more lifted look, a little bit more volume in the cleavage area.”
Often, Dr. Nazarian’s patients opting for a breast lift will also tack on a fat transfer to plump and round out any deflation at the top of the breast. “Adding a little bit of fat after the lift makes their breasts look more youthful,” she says.
Over-injecting is the biggest risk of a fat transfer.
With any kind of injection, whether filler or fat, the biggest precursor to a complication is almost always over-injecting. “If you’re trying to stuff too much fat into a recipient in one sitting, it overwhelms their body’s ability to take that graft,” cautions Dr. Subbio. “And what happens is that fat can then become oil cysts — little sacks of oil fluid — or become calcified.” Those lumps can end up not only palpable but visible, and can be confused for tumors during mammograms, says Subbio, resulting in “unnecessary biopsies or anxiety over potential cancer.”
While some over-injecting is necessary, as some of the transferred fat will die off within four to six weeks post-op, Dr. Subbio’s rule of thumb is to only increase by one cup size per fat transfer procedure. Otherwise, he says, you’re wading into dangerous waters, especially if you’re small-chested to begin with.
Patients of both Dr. Nazarian and Dr. Killeen can expect an over-injection by about 20 percent, with the understanding that only 70 percent will stay. “The breast gets smaller than it was on the table because not all of it takes,” Dr. Nazarian says. “If you’re placing the appropriate amount of fat that you know that surface area can support safely, then you lower that risk significantly.”
Don’t fall for slick Instagram before-and-afters.
Ah, Instagram — the ultimate source of smoke and mirrors. Even though most of us know perfectly well that the before-and-after photos or videos can be doctored (pun intended), that doesn’t mean they’re not convincing.
“I always tell my patients that you have to be very mindful of what you’re looking at online,” says Dr. Killeen. “The slick surgeon with hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram who shows these amazing before-and-afters a week after surgery, where they put tons of volume into a breast, but you never, ever, ever see anything long-term — you have to start asking yourself why.” Because the truth is, “the results aren’t amazing — that’s just not the reality of fat-grafting long term,” she says, which is why you rarely see the long-term results.
But the impression has still been made. “Showing immediate, on-table results is very deceiving,” Dr. Killeen continues. “And what they’re not showing is those same patients a year later, when most of that volume has gone away, and they’re left with lumps, clumps, and painful hard masses in their breasts, due to over-filling.”
Multiple procedures may be necessary to reach your goal.
You can get more than one fat transfer. If you’re set on avoiding implants but want a two-cup-size increase — the average request for Dr. Killeen’s patients — then you’re going to have at least one more fat transfer coming your way.
“Let’s say you were an A cup and you went to an A and a half in your first transfer, but now you want to be a B, then you can do another fat transfer,” Dr. Nazarian says. “Because now you have more surface area than when you started and more alive fat cells from your first transfer that can support, feed, and oxygenate additional fat cells.”
The final results of a fat-transfer augmentation can be unpredictable.
Although doctors may have a general idea of how much fat will take based on your anatomy, the bottom line is that there’s really no way to know with 100-percent certainty, says Dr. Subbio. “I tell patients they’ll have a pretty good idea of how much fat will have taken after about a month. Because again, the initial graft take is highly variable. But whatever does take is permanent.”