Fat grafting has been around for more than twenty years, but many plastic surgeons have been skeptical of using it for breast augmentation because of safety issues such as distinguishing calcifications caused by fat grafting as opposed to those associated with breast cancer,” said Foad Nahai, MD, President Elect of ASAPS. We advise caution to women seeking fat grafting for this purpose and strongly support the ongoing research efforts that will establish the safety and efficacy of the procedure.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery urge consumers considering fat grafting over saline or silicone implants for breast augmentation to proceed cautiously, since the temporary benefits of fat grafting may be offset by low survival rates of the transferred cells (which are frequently absorbed by the body), development of cysts, calcification and tissue scarring, as well as long-term problems with breast cancer detection. Tissue calcification, in particular, can make accurate detection of cancer difficult, since it is difficult to distinguish mammographically between calcifications associated with breast cancer and calcifications associated with fat transfer.

“Patients considering breast augmentation need to know that fat grafting for this indication is not recommended at this time, unless one is part of an ongoing clinical research study,” said Roxanne Guy, MD, President of ASPS. “Even though fat grafting techniques have become more refined and breast cancer detection methods have become more sophisticated with time, creating a great deal of excitement about the potential of fat grafting, we simply need more data before we can recommend that this procedure be generally used to augment breasts.”

More information for women about fat grafting for breast augmentation is available on the websites of ASPS (www.plasticsurgery.org) and the Aesthetic Society (www.surgery.org).

ASPS and ASAPS recommendations
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, in the interest of patient safety, do not recommend fat grafting for breast enhancement at this time. Because there is little clinical evidence available to document efficacy, the societies urge patients to consider the procedure as one undergoing continued evaluation.

About ASPS
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is the largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world. With more than 6,000 members, the Society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises 90 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the Society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. www.plasticsurgery.org

About ASAPS
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) is the leading organization of board-certified plastic surgeons specializing in cosmetic plastic surgery. ASAPS active-member plastic surgeons are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. www.surgery.org