FAT TRANSFER

What is Fat Transfer?
Fat transfers are used to augment and to give shape to different areas of the body. It is a cosmetic procedure that surgically rounds out and enhances the size and shape of a particular area of the body, including the breasts and buttocks, as an alternative to surgical implants.  Fat transfer allows you to remove fat from certain areas of your body, such as your tummy, thighs, or hips, and insert the fat into other areas of your body, such as your breasts or buttocks.
The results of this procedure may be unpredictable, because injected fat can often be absorbed by the body instead of staying in place. Some patients may require more than one treatment to achieve the best results. Each time the procedure is repeated, more fat will accumulate in the treated area, resulting in longer-lasting results.
The Procedure

1. Fat transfer is conducted under sedation, which includes a combination of medications that make you sleepy and numbed, but awake.
2. Antiseptic is applied to the location where fat will be removed, and to the location where the fat will be injected.
3. Fat cells are gently removed from the buttocks, stomach, or thighs using liposuction. Liposuction involves a thin hollow tube (called a cannula) connected to a vacuum that removes the fat cells.
4. The removed fat cells are processed and purified, then injected in the desired location, such as breasts or buttocks, through very fine incisions.

Why Fat Transfer?
Fat transfer has several advantages over implants:

• Fat is a completely natural substance that comes from your own body, making the procedure biocompatible and non-allergenic. There is zero chance for rejection because the fat comes from your own body.
• A fat transfer feels more natural than an artificial implant.
• A fat transfer enhances the appearance of breasts or buttocks without the worries that come with traditional implants, such as rippling, hardening, or rupture.
• The removal and harvesting of the fat (from the hips, thighs, or tummy) can be used to enhance your shape and to create a slimmer appearance, similar to liposuction.
• The shape of the breasts or buttocks can be sculpted to your specifications.
• The risk of scarring is greatly reduced, as the fat is injected through very fine incisions.
• Fat transfer to the breasts can also be used to disguise breast implants that do not look natural.

Breast fat transfer
If you have ever wanted to take fat from certain parts of your body to enhance the size and shape of your breasts, you may want to consider fat transfer. Many women lose breast fat after breast-feeding, dieting, illness, and aging. Fat transfer uses your own fat to enlarge, shape, and even out breasts as an alternative to saline or silicone implants. This procedure is best when a small augmentation is desired (around a cup size). It allows you to choose the shape and size of your breasts while retaining their natural feel, and as an added bonus, you get liposuction of other parts of your body.

Buttocks fat transfer (Brazilian butt lift)
Many women and a growing number of men want a curvier, rounder, and shapelier derrière. Instead of opting for an invasive buttocks implants procedure, patients may now use fat from other parts of their bodies to enhance the size and shape of their buttocks. This procedure uses your own fat from the abdomen or thighs using liposuction. The fat is purified, and then used to sculpt and contour your buttocks to the desired shape and size. Fat transfer results in a round, perky rear – with the added bonus of having slimmer thighs, hips, or stomach (depending on the donor area).

How to Prepare for Fat Transfer

• In your consultation, be sure to advise the physician of all medical history and any medications you are taking.
• Laboratory tests or blood work is required several days before your procedure.
• It is generally advised that you have someone to accompany you home after the procedure. You may not drive yourself, as the sedation medication may affect your ability to drive.
• You can expect swelling and bruising at the donor and injection sites.  The swelling should subside within the first two weeks.
• You will need to wear a compression garment for any area where you received liposuction as well as a garment for your breasts or buttocks for about 4 to 12 weeks.

Potential Risks and Side Effects
Most patients notice some bruising, swelling, and redness in the donor and injection sites.  When a large area such as the buttocks are treated, the patient may have to stop some normal activities temporarily – for example, you may have to sleep on your stomach for the first few days following the procedure.
Rarer potential risks of fat transfer include bleeding, infection, nerve damage, or fluid collection. These potential effects are normally easily controlled and corrected.

Filling in deep facial wrinkles and creases
Plumping up creased and sunken areas
Adding fullness to the lips and cheeks
Creating a better balance to one’s facial appearance