Procedure
Fat transfer, also known as fat grafting, fat injections and lipofilling, uses one's own fat in order to fill in any gaps or grooves within the body. This technique is well-known, and was first developed in the 1990s. To clarify the fat grafting procedure injects fat in areas that have excess fat. You inject fat into areas where you have excess fat (e.g. your outer thighs) and place it in areas where you lack in volume, such as your breasts or face.
Lipofilling may be recommended for aesthetic reasons, such as correcting sunken cheeks or to remove fat beneath the cheekbones. Similarly, to correct deep grooves that run from the corners of the mouth and the nose. In addition, lipofilling is popular to correct liposuction errors or injury.
A limited liposculpture is performed to remove excess fat. This involves making a series of 3 to 5mm incisions. Subsequently it is taken from the abdomen or the inner thigh area and the result is pure liquid fatty tissue, ready for injection.
The fat is injected into the affected area by injecting small amounts into the tissue. In conclusion, this allows healthy tissue to surround the fat and provide nutrients and oxygen. The result is natural-looking, safe, and well-tolerated.
Best candidates
A consultation with a qualified surgeon can assess you as a candidate, however, those who are in good overall mental and physical health may be suitable for this procedure. The exact benefits vary from person to person, so please discuss your expectations with your surgeon.
Preparation for a Fat Transfer
Talk to your doctor about any medical conditions you may have and ask as many questions as you can about the procedure.
Avoid smoking for at least six weeks prior to the procedure. Smoking may cause circulation problems and make it more likely that complications will occur.
Length
The fat transfer procedure can take up to an hour however this will depend on which areas are to be treated.
Anesthesia
This is performed through local infiltration anesthesia for the donor and the area that is being treated.
Inpatient/Outpatient
For a Fat transfer both options are possible.
Possible side effects
Donor Area: Anesthetic liquid can cause swelling, bruising and tenderness for up to 24 hours.
Zone to be treated: Bruising, swelling (especially around the lips if treated), and tenderness
The areas that have been treated will feel swollen. This is particularly true for the lips. To reduce swelling, you can apply a cold compress or a pack to the affected area within the first few hours.
The swelling will increase for the next day and bruising may develop for a short period but will eventually decrease. However, you can cover it up with makeup.
There are risks
There is always some risk with any procedure. For instance possible risks may include: overcorrection, asymmetry, and infection.
Selecting patients carefully and with help from the most skilled surgeons and nurses will help to minimize risk and complications. However, despite the highest standards, complications can still occur. If you have concerns, please discuss them with your doctor.
Recovery
The swelling usually subsides by the third day. Social activities can be resumed after approximately one week with some make-up.
It is important you return to your surgeon within five to seven days. In addition, three weeks later, go back to the surgeon to have a follow-up. They will inject more fat than they need, and 25-30% of this will die. A second session may be required to compensate for any volume loss. Subsequently the surgeon will evaluate the final results and take photographs to compare the images taken before the procedure.
Results
Positive results include correction of deep wrinkles, folds and other irregularities, as well as a better quality skin. In addition, the correction can be considered permanent after the body has absorbed a certain percentage of fat (between 20 to 50%).
Cost of Fat Transfers
Cost can vary based on your size, type of fat transfer method, surgeon fees, anesthesia used, inpatient (hospital) or outpatient (day surgery) and package inclusions. Please ask your consultant for verification on what is/is not included.
Related Body Procedures
Other common body procedures include;
Next Steps
We are here to assist you with your journey. We recommend you make an inquiry and request a firmquote . This will ensure you receive a detailed cost breakdown of your procedure, with surgeon feedback. We do not charge you for this service. Our consultants are very experienced with all our partners and can answer any questions you may have.