Over time, our faces lose the buoyancy that gives us a youthful glow. Volume-loss may be natural and unavoidable, but it is not irreversible. Using fat transfers – also known as fat grafting – is an ingenious procedure that replenishes volume, lifts sagging skin, and smooths stubborn wrinkles.
Find out more about fat transfers below, and please reach out if you have any questions or would like personalized advice.
What is a fat transfer?
A fat transfer is exactly what it sounds like – fat is transferred from one area of the body to another to restore volume. Also referred to as fat grafting or fat injections, this treatment combines several processes to achieve the desired appearance:
- Liposuction, where the fat is removed
- Fat processing, which purifies the fat
- Fat injection, which returns the purified fat to a different area of the body, most commonly the lips, around the mouth, in the cheek area, and under the eyes
What are the benefits of a fat transfer?
There is no shortage of cosmetic procedures that claim to restore youthfulness to the face and body. Here are three benefits distinct to the fat transfer procedure:
Fat transfer minimizes the risk of an allergic reaction
Injecting a solution into your body for the first time comes with inherent risk. Fat grafting almost eliminates that risk. The unique procedure uses fat that was created by your body – there are no superficial chemicals involved.
Fat transfer results are natural and long-lasting
Although dermal fillers may be more economical, they do not have the longevity of a fat transfer. Where fillers last a few months to one year, fat transfers help you maintain a younger-looking appearance indefinitely.
Fat transfer is a minimally-invasive procedure
If you are looking to rewind the clock and address the signs of aging, you have many incredible, safe, and time-tested solutions available to you. However, some involve lasers, long surgeries, and weeks of downtime. Fat grafting allows you to achieve the look you want with a fast recovery, reduced risk of infection, and a more comfortable experience.
What areas can I treat with a fat transfer?
Smooth, replenished, and rejuvenated skin – that is what a professionally executed fat grafting procedure can help you achieve. In most cases, patients opt for a fat transfer to treat the following areas:
- Sunken areas of the face
- Smile lines
- Crow’s feet
- Laugh lines
- Lines between the nose and mouth
- Forehead wrinkles
Am I a suitable candidate for a fat transfer?
The benefits of a fat transfer are undeniable. Results are natural-looking and long-lasting, and you don’t have to worry about artificial drugs entering your body. That being said, not everyone is a suitable candidate for a fat transfer.
You must have appropriate donor sites – areas where fat can be removed, such as the abdomen or thighs. You must also be relatively healthy and free from circulation problems.
How does the fat grafting procedure work?
The fat grafting procedure unfolds in three stages: harvesting, purification, and placement.
Harvesting
In collaboration with your trusted surgeon, you will select an area of your body to harvest the required fat. The donor area will then be numbed using a local anesthetic before your surgeon performs liposuction.
Purification
Once the required amount of fat is harvested from the donor area, it is ready to be processed and prepared for transfer. Your fat may spin in a centrifuge or undergo a filtration process to ensure all impurities are removed before the injection.
Placement
Finally, your surgeon will prepare the target area before carefully injecting rows of fatty tissue parcels. The process is repeated until your desired outcome is achieved.
Depending on the target area, your surgeon may advise you to massage the grafted area to encourage a soft, natural-looking contour.
Will I get scars from a fat transfer?
Scars are understandably a primary concern among many cosmetic surgery patients. Dr. Sunder takes great care to minimize visible scarring where possible.
Following your liposuction procedure, you may experience some scarring. There are, however, silver linings:
- Liposuction incisions are tiny, which means any lasting discoloration is small, too.
- Most people choose discreet areas for fat removals, such as the abdomen or buttocks.
- Liposuction scars tend to fade and become almost imperceptible with time.
How long will my fat transfer results last?
After your fat transfer, expect your skin to appear fuller and softer. Skin texture may improve, too. In most cases, fat transfer results outlast other types of fillers, giving you years of confidence and enjoyment.
Several factors influence how long your results will last:
- How the fat was harvested and purified
- Where the fat was harvested from and injected into
- How skilled your surgeon is and what technique they used
Schedule your consultation
Take the first step toward a youthful, revitalized, and restored appearance. Schedule your consultation for tailored guidance.
