Fat Injection (Fat Grafting)
With fat transfer or fat grafting, we can enhance the breasts, buttocks, or facial contours without using implants. In a fat transfer procedure, fat is taken from one area of the body, processed, and then injected into the desired area to increase volume.
What Can Fat Transfer Treat?
Fat transfer can be used to enlarge specific areas of the body to create curves or achieve a more youthful appearance. You can achieve beautiful results with fat transfer in the following areas:
- Breasts: Fat transfer can be used to enlarge the breasts without using implants. This method of breast augmentation offers minimal scarring and natural-looking results.
- Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL): If traditional fitness and diet strategies have not helped you achieve a more rounded, prominent buttock appearance, fat transfer can be used to enhance the buttocks and shape the body. This procedure is known as a Brazilian butt lift.
- Facial Features: Fat can be transferred to the face to fill hollow cheeks, marionette lines, nasolabial folds, tear troughs, and wrinkles.
How Does Fat Transfer Work?
Fat transfer procedures involve taking fat from one area of your body and transferring it to the desired area. The procedure consists of five steps:
- Anesthesia: At the beginning of your procedure, you will be given local or general anesthesia. Together, we will determine the best type of anesthesia for your procedure. Local anesthesia may be sufficient for removing small amounts of fat, while general anesthesia is preferred for larger volumes.
- Liposuction: Fat will be removed from the predetermined donor area through liposuction. Common donor areas include the abdomen, hips, and thighs.
- Purification: For the fat transfer to be successful, the harvested fat cells need to be purified and processed. This involves draining and centrifuging, if necessary, to remove dead cells, excess fluid, and other debris. This process separates the components that could interfere with a successful fat transfer procedure.
- Fat Injection: The purified fat is injected in small amounts across the area where you want to add volume.
- Recovery: Your recovery time will depend on the treatment and your body’s healing process. In general, you can return to work in as little as three days, depending on the treated area. There will also be some restrictions on activities as you heal.
Am I a Candidate for a Fat Transfer Procedure?
Several factors are considered to determine whether you are a good candidate for a fat transfer procedure. In general, ideal candidates are:
- In good overall health,
- Have excess fat in an easily accessible area of the body,
- Non-smokers or those who can quit smoking for a significant period before the procedure and during recovery,
- Free from any health conditions that interfere with the body’s ability to heal,
- Have realistic expectations.
If you do not have enough fat for a fat transfer, dermal fillers or implants can be used to achieve higher volume and improve the appearance of the area.
