Fat transfer is a safe and popular technique in cosmetic surgery, allowing naturally looking volume enhancement and improvements to the aesthetic lines of the face and body.
The problem is that many of us have never tried this procedure though, this can be a perfect solution for everyone. So, what is a fat transfer surgery and how does it work? How to prepare, take care of yourself after the operation, and how to decide whether the given procedure is the best fit for you?
What is Fat Transfer?
Fat transfer, also called fat grafting or lipofilling, is a cosmetic surgery technique which utilizes the patient’s own body fat to increase the volume of problematic areas. This can be the face, hands, breasts or buttocks. Unlike synthetic dermal fillers or artificial implants, fat transfer involves using organic matter from our own body, so we don’t have to worry about any allergic reaction or potential rejection of the tissues.
The whole process is quite simple. During the fat transfer procedure, body fat is extracted from areas containing a surplus of adipose tissue, like the abdomen, thighs, or flanks (love handles). The fat is filtered, correctly prepared and then injected back into the parts of the body which require additional volume. The surgeon needs to perform the procedure with the utmost care to provide natural-appearing and lasting effects.
How Does Fat Transfer Work?
The whole process of fat transfer can be divided into three main steps:
Harvesting: a patient’s own fat is obtained during the liposuction procedure from donor sites so that a surgeon can later implant the substance into another area of the body. The harvesting part not only provides the needed material for fat grafting, it also helps making the whole procedure a one-step-behind that helps to shape the area from which the fat was harvested.
Processing: the filter process helps in the distinction of healthy fat cells, which will help in giving the effect of the fat. Filtering the tissue helps in distinguishing between the good and the dead cells. Thanks to the fact that only healthy cells are reused, the chances of success are highly increased.
Injection: the lipofiller is injected back into the body. The surgeon injects the unwanted fat little by little to create a smooth line. In order to achieve the expected effect in case of very large areas or an imperfection on different parts of the body, a surgeon has to make more than one injection.
Typically, a fat transfer surgery is performed under local anaesthesia, but there are also cases in which general is required. This just depends on the case and a certain seriousness of the condition. Nevertheless, the whole procedure is much less invasive than the insertion of silicone breast implants or other fillers to the body, which means a much shorter recovery time.
Advantages of a Fat Transfer Operation
Before we even list the benefits of this type of cosmetic surgery, it is important that we understand that this procedure is not the best choice for everyone. It is necessary to consult with a doctor who’ll look at our case in a wider perspective and decide which procedure will be satisfactory.
Naturally nice looking effect: because we use our own adipose tissue after liposuction, the area treated with the lipofiller is soft and we get that attractive, natural effect.
Fat liposuction and reapplication in a selected part of a body — coordination of a slim figure: fat cell grafting simultaneously improves shape parameters of the whole body. The treatment is consistent with the desire of patients seeking a slim body.
Longevity: When fat is carefully harvested and transferred, a proportion of the fat stays in the new area. It’s estimated up to 50% of the transferred fat cells survive, which can mean results that can last years.
Reduced risk: Fat transfer reduces the risk of allergic reaction or other complications associated with synthetic materials by utilising the body’s own tissue.
It is a very versatile treatment and can often be manipulated to enhance where you expect, whether you have wide spread contouring you would like, or just subtle enhancement. It works in areas such as the face, breasts, buttocks and hands.
Recovery and Aftercare
Recovery will depend on the site the fat has been transferred to, but most patients can be up and about the house within a week post-procedure, however swelling and bruising will settle over the following weeks. Many patients are told to avoid strenuous exercise, or wear compression garments; however, all this will be discussed with your surgeon before your procedure.
You should always have adequate consultations with your surgeon prior to a procedure to discuss realistic expectations and possible risks. If you are thinking about fat transfer, it’s worth booking a consultation with a beauty clinic London maybe, or look up consultants that specialise in fat transfer London.
Choosing the Right Clinic
To guarantee safe, effective results from fat transfer treatment, it is important you choose the right clinic/provider. Seek out surgeons who are experienced in fat grafting treatments and read reviews from previous patients if you can. In initial consultations, ask a lot of questions so you know what to expect and the care you would need afterwards.
Leading clinics demonstrate safety and provide expertise in fat grafting procedures. They use individual treatment plans to suit each patient and minimise risk of side effects or complications. By researching effectively the right provider, you can ensure results look natural and meet your expectations.
Final Thoughts
Fat transfer is a very gentle way to restore a healthier, youthful volume to a face, literally from your own body. It’s also simple, not too invasive, and with limited downtime, with risks of complications being quite low. If you are thinking about facial rejuvenation treatment, and it seems a good option for you, do your homework and book a consultation with a few providers.
In addition to facial rejuvenation, fat grafting can correct breast size and shape irregularities due to lumpectomies or other procedures, fill in buttocks and hands. Research, check out providers, even pop into a beauty clinic in London for a chat — just do your due diligence, then take your body back to how it once was.