Fat injection

About The Treatment

Fat injection, also known as fat grafting or fat transfer, is a plastic surgery procedure to enhance volume in specific areas of the body using the patient's own fat. This technique involves harvesting fat from one part of the body, typically through liposuction, and injecting it into another area that requires augmentation or rejuvenation. Fat injection is valued for its natural-looking results and its ability to provide long-lasting enhancement.

Procedure Steps

Consultation and Planning

• Patient Evaluation:

  • Assessing the patient's goals, medical history, and suitability for fat injection.

    
    

• Treatment Plan:

  • Determining the areas for fat removal (donor sites) and areas for fat injection (recipient sites).

  
  

Fat Harvesting (Liposuction)

• Anesthesia:

  • Local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the extent of liposuction.

    
    

• Liposuction Technique:

  • Using small cannulas (thin tubes) to suction out fat from donor areas like the abdomen, thighs, or flanks.

    
    

Processing of Fat

• Centrifugation or Filtration:

  • The harvested fat is processed to separate viable fat cells from blood, oil, and other fluids.

    
    

• Purification:

  • Ensuring the fat is clean and suitable for injection to optimize survival of transferred fat cells.

    
    

Fat Injection

• Recipient Site Preparation:

  • The plastic surgeon prepares the recipient site by creating small tunnels or using a microdroplet technique for precise placement.

    
    

• Injection Process:

  • Carefully injecting the purified fat in multiple layers to ensure even distribution and natural contouring.

    
    

Postoperative Care

• Compression Garments:

  • Wearing compression garments over the donor sites to minimize swelling and support healing.

    
    

• Monitoring:

  • Regular follow-up appointments to assess healing, monitor results, and address any concerns.

Common Areas Treated with Fat Injection

Face:

• Cheeks, lips (lip augmentation), temples, and under-eye hollows to restore volume and enhance facial contours.

  
  

Breasts:

• As an alternative or complement to breast implants for augmentation or correcting asymmetry.

  
  

Buttocks:

• Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) to enhance buttock volume and shape.

  
  

Hands:

• Rejuvenating the appearance of aging hands by restoring volume and smoothness.

  
  

Scars:

• Improving the appearance of scars or depressions in the skin caused by injury or previous surgeries.

Benefits of Fat Injection

Natural Results:

• Utilizes the patient's own tissue for enhancement, leading to natural-looking results.

  
  

Longevity:

• Fat cells that survive the transfer process can provide permanent volume enhancement.

  
  

Dual Benefit:

• Simultaneously improves body contour through liposuction of donor areas.

Risks and Considerations

Fat Resorption:

• Not all transferred fat cells survive; multiple sessions may be needed for desired results.

  
  

Infection:

• Potential risk associated with any surgical procedure; careful postoperative care helps mitigate this risk.

  
  

Asymmetry or Overcorrection:

• Skill and experience of the surgeon are crucial to achieving balanced and aesthetically pleasing results.

Advances in Fat Injection

Technological Innovations:

• Improved fat processing techniques (e.g., nanofat grafting) to enhance survival of transferred fat cells.

  
  

Combined Procedures:

• Integration with other cosmetic procedures for comprehensive enhancement, such as facelifts or breast surgeries.

Research and Development:

• Ongoing studies to optimize fat transfer techniques and outcomes.