Who should get this procedure and what are the expected results?
Fat grafts can be used a wide variety of procedures, from facelifts to breasts to body contouring. There is mounting evidence of the generative ability of fat grafts. Some patients choose fat grafts to use their own natural cells for maximum biocompatibility and to avoid use of an implant, such as when seeking a more rounded buttock. Others choose fat grafts for breast augmentation if they are desiring to balance out asymmetry and only looking for a modest increase in size.
What should I expect before my procedure?
A consultation is needed for us to develop an individualized surgical plan that considers your lifestyle, goals, specific concerns, facial structure and genetics, ethnicity and cultural heritage. Fat grafts are often used in facial, breast or body contouring. Your surgeon will identify a donor site from which to harvest fat. Typically, local anesthesia is used. The amount of fat depends on the exact procedure and can range from 10cc for a face procedure all the way to over 1000cc for a buttock lift. Once extracted, the fat is purified to remove impurities and prepared for injection in the placement site. The fat is precisely injected into each area to create your desired contours.
What should I expect after my procedure?
Typically, an overnight hospital stay is not needed, and you can go home the same day. Your specific recovery will depend upon the tailored package you choose and which procedures are selected, but for most patients, expect some pain, swelling and bruising to occur at the donor site. Specific recovery times and routine will be prescribed based upon your tailored package, which your surgeon will share with you.
Where can I use fat grafting?
Fat grafting can be used in a wide variety of procedures to help soften lines or wrinkles, fill hollow spaces and restore lost volume due to aging. This can be used in facelifts, breast reconstructions and body contouring in the hips, buttocks and arms.
Why should I do fat grafting instead of dermal fillers?
Dermal fillers are not permanent and require regular maintenance. Fat grafting uses your body’s own purified fast tissue from other areas and thus the graft can regenerate and maintain its structure and appearance. Because these are your own cells, it is fully biocompatible. This is helpful in situations where you are repairing damage, such as during a breast reconstruction.
Why should I consider surgery?
Using a fat graft is a more permanent treatment for a long-lasting look. Nonsurgical options like dermal fillers and Botox injections provide temporary results that need regular maintenance.
What if I’m not ready for surgery?
If you feel a surgical intervention isn’t for you at this time, we offer a range of fillers, injections, chemical peels and skin care treatments that are easy and non-invasive to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and other signs of aging. See these our non-surgical services.
Can this be combined with other procedures?
Yes! Common surgeries that can use fat grafting include facelifts, brow lifts, neck lifts, chin and cheek augmentation, breast augmentation and reconstruction and body contouring of the arms, hips, thighs or buttocks. This can also be combined with a liposuction. Schedule a consult with one our surgeons to determine what is the best approach for you.