FAT GRAFTING
Fat Grafting
Who is a candidate?
Fat grafting is used as a facial rejuvenation, breast and buttock augmentation technique. It restores facial tissues that have lost volume during the aging process, or fill depressed areas due to acne, developmental issues, scarring or disease. If you are unhappy with your facial proportions relative to the rest of your face; want to restore sunken cheeks or laugh lines; fill out skin depressions or indentations; minimize forehead wrinkles; enhance the lips; or fill specific areas of the breast, buttock or the entire buttock--these can all be addressed through fat grafting procedures.
How is it done?
Fat grafting offers profound applications for aesthetic and reconstructive use. In addition to “pushing or plumping out” the skin like synthetic fillers, it actually makes a structural change. Essentially, fat is harvested from one or multiple part/s of the body (abdomen, thighs, hips, arms) under local or general anesthetic prepared and injected in tiny quantities into the face or other areas. Fat is living tissue and under right conditions will survive in its new location. It allows three dimensional augmentations of facial elements through redistributing volume. It can be used in conjunction with other fillers or liposuction to optimize the overall result. Grafted fat becomes integrated into the host tissues and is undetectable after the transplant. In experienced hands, fat grafting is a safe and long lasting method of recontouring. Fat graft survival significantly depends upon location of the graft, age, and in particular, the technique of harvesting and placement.
Recuperation
Similar to collagen, “overfilling” is necessary to compensate for fat absorption, so you will have a slight swollen appearance. Depending upon the extent of treatment, you may have redness, bruising and swelling in both the donor and recipient sites. In the case of buttock augmentation you may be placed in a compression girdle and asked to stay in the garment for 4 to 6 weeks. The buttock area will be sore for about 2-4 weeks and you will not be permitted to sit or lay on your buttocks for the first 2-4 weeks depending on where the fat injection was performed. Moderate to severe swelling is common but will resolve itself within 3 weeks. You will have dietary restrictions (low salt diet.) Most patients can slowly resume light activity following treatment but may increase to normal activity after approximately three weeks to one month. Swelling can last up to three to six months. It is very important to follow all post operative instructions carefully.
Other Options
Facelift
Click here for Facelift
Liposuction
Click here for liposuction
Fat grafting is sometimes used in conjunction with other fillers.
A word about financing…
Fat grafting can be made very affordable through our partners at Care Credit and MedChoice Financial. Visit them at
www.drzoran.com/financing Our patient coordinator will be happy to answer any of your questions or assist you with the necessary paperwork.
Insurance
Fat grafting is usually considered an aesthetic procedure and as such is not covered by insurance.
Ask Dr. Potparic
How long does the procedure take?
It depends upon the area treated. Generally speaking, an hour for lips and six for a full face (when combined with a facelift procedure). Buttock fat grafting takes anywhere from 4 to 6 hours.
How is fat grafting different from other fillers?
Synthetic fillers are mostly temporary. It is used to build lasting structural changes and volume in the face and body. It is biocompatible, versatile, stable, long lasting and natural appearing.
Why would I do fat grafting instead of a facelift?
Fillers actually fill out the face rather than lift it. Gravity is not the enemy of youth—rather the loss of volume and tissue underneath the skin. Facelifts are still indicated for some patients, but fat grafting is very specific to area: midface, lips, chin or eyelids.
Is fat grafting always successful?
Successful fat grafting is dependent upon the nature of the fatty tissue, the methods of harvesting, transfer and placement, and the preparation of the patient. Fatty tissue is complex and delicate and easily damaged. There is a “predictive” loss of volume of fat grafts—between 30 and 70% depending on the area which is treated. In order to build satisfactory volume and achieve desired contours, several stages (2-6) may be necessary administered 8 to 12 weeks apart.
Which is better if I want buttock augmentation: a buttock implant or fat grafting?
Buttock implants have the potential of moving or sliding in the pocket where they are placed. Fat grafting is particularly attractive to most people because you are taking fat from fatty regions of the body and using this to contour the buttocks. Best of both worlds! Once the fat lives in its new location, fluid collections and mobile implants are not a concern.
What are some of the complications?
Most complications occur in the aesthetic arena and are due to over or under correction.
The technique is crucial. Complications include infection or fat necrosis (dead fat that may potentially need to be removed through a small incision because of a “bump” felt on exam). Smoking and drinking alcohol can cause additional complications.
It is important to be confident in your practitioner’s credentials and experience with regard to this special technique.