Fat Grafting

Who is it for?

Candidates for fat grafting need to have good overall health and enough fatty tissue to use. If you have facial creases like laugh lines or crow’s feet, fat can be removed from your stomach or thighs and injected into your face to increase the amount of volume for a more youthful appearance. If you have acne scars we can minimize their appearance as well with fat grafting. If you wish to minimize the fine lines on your forehead or any obscure indentation on your face, injecting fat from other parts of your body is an ideal solution. If you feel that your breasts need to be slightly enlarged, fat grafting works for minor augmentations. Minor breast reconstruction with fat grafting is a viable option depending on your body shape, features and desires outcome. If you desire a fuller or more round buttocks without the need for a full augmentation a fat graft would be beneficial. Individuals who would like to eliminate the wrinkles in their hands can also benefit from fat grafting.

Process

Step 1: Consultation with Dr. Platt. We want to understand your goals for the procedure and your desired results. We will offer guidance and expert opinions on the best course of action. We will also take any necessary measurements at this time. If you have any questions or hesitations, now is the time to ask!

Step 2: Book an appointment.

Step 3: Prepare yourself by reading the educational material provided and following pre-surgical advice.

Step 4: Procedure day!

Step 5: First look at the outcome. Keep in mind there may be swelling and redness, depending on the procedure. Therefore the best approximation of final look will be after adequate recovery time.

Step 6: Recover. For best results, please follow all post-surgery advice and enhance healing with appropriate sleep, nutrition and hydration.

Step 7: Come back in for a follow-up appointment to ensure proper healing and optimal results.

How it Works

After a careful and thorough assessment of your body’s functions, features and aesthetics, and our experts determine the best method to achieve your personal goals, our fat grafting procedure begins by harvesting fat from one ear of your body. We then wash and purify your fat before injecting it back into the designated parts of your body and precisely placed with syringes. This is repeated as necessary until the desired result is met. The harvesting step of the procedure is done with local anesthetics so you don’t feel any pain. Your surgeon will make a small incision for the fat to be removed with a sterile and safe extracting method, typically liposuction. When enough fat has been removed, it will be processed and prepared for transfer using filtration methods to remove any impurities. The area receiving the fat transfer will be prepared a small incision will be made so the fat can be injected safely and precisely. This step will be repeated as necessary until the desires results are met.

FAQ

Will I have any scars?

The only scars you may have from a fat grafting procedure would be from liposuction incisions. However, our team use strategic locations to ensure small and conspicuous places of entry when removing fat. Depending on the location of the fat deposits on your body, some incisions cannot be hidden. The amount or degree of scarring also depends on your natural healing process. Most scars will fade over time and we do offer other treatments to reduce visibility.

How do I prepare for a fat transfer procedure?

After a thorough consult with our doctor’s, you will receive detailed preoperative instructions. One of the most important things to remember before and after any procedure is to stay hydrated for a safe recovery and to help achieve optimal results. We strongly suggest you stop smoking and avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. You will likely need a friend or family member to drive you home after the procedure.

How long does fat grafting take?

The length of our fat grafting procedures differ depending on how much fat is being removed and where it is being placed.

Will it hurt?

No, you will receive local anesthesia and intravenous sedation for a comfortable and tolerable experience.

How long does the recovery take?

Swelling and bruising may take a few days or up to a week to resolve. In most cases you can comfortably return to public and social settings after 10 days. Taking time off work to recover is suggested and avoiding strenuous movements or activities is important to heal properly. By the third week following your fat grafting procedure you can expect to look more like yourself.

How long will the results last?

You can expect a long-lasting result, injecting new fat creates a new blood supply from your body and can often remain permanent. Touch up procedures are sometimes necessary for the percentage of fat that may not settle.