Fat injection
Fat injection, also known as fat grafting or fat transfer, is a cosmetic procedure that involves removing fat from one area of the body, typically through liposuction, and then injecting that fat into another area of the body to add volume, contour, or enhance specific features.
This procedure is often used for both aesthetic and reconstructive purposes.
Here's how fat injection works
Harvesting the Fat
The procedure begins by harvesting fat from a donor site where there is excess fat, such as the abdomen, thighs, or flanks. Liposuction is used to carefully remove the fat cells without damaging them. The harvested fat is then processed to separate the healthy fat cells from other substances
Purifying the Fat
The harvested fat is processed to purify and prepare it for injection. This typically involves removing excess fluids, blood, and damaged fat cells to ensure that only healthy and viable fat cells are used for the injection.
Injection
The purified fat cells are then injected into the target area where augmentation or enhancement is desired. Common areas for fat injection include the face (cheeks, lips, under the eyes), buttocks (Brazilian butt lift), breasts (breast augmentation or reconstruction), and hands.
Sculpting and Contouring
The surgeon carefully injects the fat cells in small amounts, sculpting and contouring the target area to achieve the desired results. Overfilling is often done to compensate for some fat cells not surviving the transfer process; therefore, the final results may appear slightly fuller initially.
Healing and Recovery
After the procedure, there may be some swelling and bruising in both the donor and recipient areas. The swelling gradually subsides over time, and patients typically see the final results after several weeks once the swelling has resolved and the fat has settled.
Benefits of Fat Injection
Dual Benefit: Patients can achieve body contouring through liposuction of unwanted areas and enhance other areas with the transferred fat.
Versatility: Fat injection can be used for facial rejuvenation, breast augmentation, buttock enhancement, and more.
Longevity: A portion of the transferred fat usually survives and becomes a permanent part of the new area.
Before considering fat injection, it’s important to have a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate your goals, discuss the procedure’s suitability for your needs, and provide personalized recommendations.
Fat injection instead of filler
Fat injection and dermal fillers are both used to add volume and enhance specific areas of the body, but they involve different substances and approaches. Here’s a comparison between fat injection and dermal fillers:
Fat Injection
Benefits of Fat Injection
Natural Results: The use of the patient’s own fat means that there is no risk of allergic reactions or rejection.
Dual Benefit: Patients can achieve body contouring through liposuction of unwanted areas and enhance other areas with the transferred fat.
Versatility: Fat injection can be used for facial rejuvenation, breast augmentation, buttock enhancement, and more.
Minimal Scarring: The incisions made for liposuction and fat injection are small and result in minimal scarring.
Longevity: A portion of the transferred fat usually survives and becomes a permanent part of the new area.
Before considering fat injection, it’s important to have a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate your goals, discuss the procedure’s suitability for your needs, and provide personalized recommendations.
Fat injection instead of filler
Fat injection and dermal fillers are both used to add volume and enhance specific areas of the body, but they involve different substances and approaches. Here’s a comparison between fat injection and dermal fillers:
Fat Injection:
Fat injection uses your body’s own fat cells, which are harvested through liposuction from areas with excess fat (donor site). The harvested fat is purified and then injected into the target area.
A portion of the transferred fat usually survives and becomes a permanent part of the new area. However, not all of the transferred fat will survive, and touch-up sessions may be required.
Fat injection is commonly used for larger volume enhancements, such as buttock augmentation (Brazilian butt lift), breast augmentation, and facial volumization. It can also be used for contouring and smoothing in various areas.
Fat injection involves both liposuction to harvest fat and then injections to transfer it. The procedure is more extensive compared to filler injections.
Since the injected material is your own fat, there’s no risk of allergic reactions or rejection.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are made of various substances, including hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, and poly-L-lactic acid. These are injected directly into the target area to add volume and fill in wrinkles.
The duration of results varies depending on the type of filler used, but results typically last from several months to over a year.
Dermal fillers are versatile and can be used for both smaller and larger volume enhancements. They are commonly used for facial areas like the cheeks, lips, nasolabial folds, and under the eyes.
Dermal filler injections are a relatively quick procedure and do not require a separate harvesting step like fat injection.
The outcomes of dermal filler injections are usually more predictable compared to fat injections, as the material is standardized and the filler effects can be adjusted immediately.
Considerations
Duration: Fat injection can provide more long-lasting results, while dermal fillers offer temporary enhancements.
Recovery: Recovery time and discomfort can be greater for fat injection due to the liposuction component.
Customization: Fat injection allows for larger volume augmentation and body contouring. Dermal fillers are more precise and suited for smaller areas.
Expertise Required: Both procedures require the skill and expertise of a qualified healthcare provider.
Ultimately, the choice between fat injection and dermal fillers depends on your specific goals, the areas you wish to enhance, your preferences, and the advice of a qualified healthcare provider. A consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist can help you make an informed decision based on your individual needs and desired outcomes.
Benefits of Fat Injection
Natural Results: The use of the patient’s own fat means that there is no risk of allergic reactions or rejection.
Dual Benefit: Patients can achieve body contouring through liposuction of unwanted areas and enhance other areas with the transferred fat.
Versatility: Fat injection can be used for facial rejuvenation, breast augmentation, buttock enhancement, and more.
Minimal Scarring: The incisions made for liposuction and fat injection are small and result in minimal scarring.
Longevity: A portion of the transferred fat usually survives and becomes a permanent part of the new area.
Before considering fat injection, it’s important to have a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate your goals, discuss the procedure’s suitability with Docturkeyclinic’s teams for your needs, and provide personalized recommendations.