Fat Transfer
Fat Transfer (also known as Fat Grafting or Fat Injection) is a method of removing excess fat from several body areas (like hips, thighs etc.) and putting it to other areas (mostly, face and hands) which in fact have lost it mainly due to aging factors. The concept behind this procedure is the comprehending that sensitive areas like face and hands deflate and shed their volume as time goes by rather than simply becoming loose and wobbly. That, plus the fact that fat is regarded as the perfect filler for adding volume and firmness, led scientists to the developing of this method, which sounds promising, though not FDA approved.
How Does Fat Grafting Work?
- The first goal of the surgeon performing the procedure is to remove the fat cells from the areas from which the fat is needless. To achieve this, usually local anesthesia is applied and the fat is harvested with the use of a specific sterilized suction cannula (a minor liposuction process).
- After the appropriate amount of fat is gathered from the contributing area, it undergoes a purification process with the utilization of a centrifuge which spins it, thus eliminating all the harmful particles.
- Finally, the fat is put into the receiving areas with an injection needle which goes in and out usually more than once; by doing so, the doctor is able to form several lines of fat graft and come up with a more accurate result. In addition, slight massaging on the injected spots may be needed in order to achieve the best possible contouring.
Note here, that, before undergoing a Fat Grafting procedure, you are asked to go through a thorough evaluation and give a complete medical record history to the clinic.
Benefits
The plus points of a Fat Grafting operation seem to be multiple.
- The fat used to augment the body spots which are devoid of it comes directly from the patient’s own tissue, practically eliminating any kind of allergic reactions.
- Most of the times, only local anesthesia is needed, leading to limited recuperation time.
- The use of the patient’s own tissue also means that the end result has a natural and rejuvenated look with significantly reduced scars.
- Usually, the results are long-lasting since the fat transferred acquires its own blood source.
- Its an ideal option, if combined with Liposculpture, in order to fix Liposuction Defects
Areas To Be Treated
The constantly progressing technology permits the surgeon performing a Fat Transfer procedure to transfer the excess fat to several body areas such as face, chin, cheeks, lips, buttocks, breasts and hands; especially the latter carry the most evident signs of aging, revealing men and women’s true age. Still, it is necessary to mention that the method seems to have superior results on particular vascularized areas (like the face) rather than others which feature a greater range of motions (such as the lips).
Side Effects
After a Fat Grafting operation, it is likely that the patient may encounter a number of side effects. These may include:
- Bruising and swelling on both donating and injected areas
- Contour irregularities
-
Infections
Whatever these side effects may be, the recovery process itself is limited, lasting for a time period that typically lasts from one to two weeks. Also, the recovering individual can go back to work after 15 to 20 days. Of course, the recuperation time varies depending mainly on the amount of fat transferred (as well as on other factors like the age of the patient), but, in general, the previously mentioned figures reveal a relatively swiftly healed operation.
Cost
The final expenditures of a Fat Transfer procedure cannot be estimated with complete accuracy, since they depend on several variables, the most important being the size of the treated area. Still, Realself.com can give a reasonable indication of the cost, which, on average, is $4,500.
Fat Grafting Reviews
Despite the fact that the principle of this method is reasonably justified and the technology integrated relatively advanced, the users’ testimonials are not overwhelmingly positive. Of course, most of them – according to Realself are generally favorable (55{f4e1575822752660c3387461b06f16047197db710b64f29e8565d582c3a8cd4f}), however, a substantial percentage of people who decided to endure Fat Grafting has complained about the lack of spectacular results. Still, it is hard to come to a safe conclusion of whether the technique itself and not the surgeon performing it is the one to blame for this inadequacy.
Before and After Photos
Our Advice
All in all, Fat Grafting appears as a moderately decent and safe choice for men and women who would like to augment or fill body and face areas which have started to lose their volume and their vibrant appearance. Good candidates for this procedure are men and women with a fairly solid health status. If you have encountered abnormal bleeding or swelling after a surgical operation in the past, there is a chance that you will be advised not to have the operation. Finally, a matter of major significance is to have the operation done by a skilled surgeon who can limit potential risks and guarantee the best possible results. Unluckily, in some cases, the outcome may not be what a patient truly have yearned for, and that’s why your research before finally deciding to have a Fat Transfer operation should be meticulous.
You Should also read
- Fixing Liposuction Defects with Fat Transfer
- Top Swizz Surgeon utilizes Fat Grafting For Breast Augmentation
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