Fat Grafting
Fat grafting is the use of your own fat cells to enhance volume in deficient areas, correct asymmetry, and refine natural contours. Fat grafting is a safe, effective, and permanent solution to many common patient concerns in the face or body.
Treatment Time
1 hour; fat grafting alone may take up to 1 hour however it is often combined with other procedures such as facelift, lip lift, or breast augmentation.
Incisions
Fat is harvested using liposuction through small 1cm holes either in your abdomen, thighs, or even back. The location of fat harvest will depend on patient preference and availability of fat.
Benefits
Fat grafting is well tolerated, permanent, and can be used for many different patient concerns or deficiencies. When combined with facial procedures it can be a vital part of full facial rejuvenation.
Technique
Fat is harvested using liposuction from the abdomen, flanks, back, or thighs. Fat is purified by filtration and/or sedimentation and then injected into the desired areas. Clear postoperative instructions are given to ensure the fat graft stays in the desired area.
Recovery
Swelling and bruising subsides over the first few days, with permanent results expected between 4-8 weeks.
Risks
Main risks include bleeding, fat necrosis, and over or under filling of fat to the target area. Weight change post-operatively will also impact how fat enhances the area.
Who are the best candidates?
Patients who are otherwise healthy, desire a more permanent solution than fillers, have realistic expectations, and who have volume loss or asymmetry.
Adjunct Procedures
Fat grafting is a powerful tool to enhance volume when combined with a facelift procedure. A facelift is able to tighten and reposition existing fat, while fat grafting returns natural, youthful volume to the area.