Fat grafting is a procedure that harvests small amounts of your own fat from areas, such as the buttocks, abdomen and inner thighs, and transfers the cleaned and minimally processed fat into other areas, such as the face and hands. The incisions are made with a blunt needle.
Dr Vlad Milovic, our Specialist Plastic Surgeon, uses this innovative technique to help patients address a wide range of concerns on the face, hands and body.
- Fat Transfer Risks
- Fat Transfer Benefits
- Fat Transfer Candidates
- Fat Transfer Process
- How Long Fat Transfer Lasts
Risks of Surgery
All surgical procedures carry risks and the potential for complications. While Dr Milovic is extensively trained and experienced with a comprehensive array of plastic surgery procedures and utilizes advanced techniques to help mitigate those risks, patients considering treatment should always be fully aware of them beforehand. Dr Milovic will go over all risks and potential complications associated with the procedure during the initial consultation, and we are happy to address any questions or concerns you may have.
Risks of this procedure include, but are not limited to:
- Infection
- Scarring
- Excessive bleeding
- Pain/discomfort
- Nerve damage
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Complications relating to anaesthesia
- Seroma (a growth/lump near the surgery site that may become infectious)
- Unsatisfactory cosmetic results
- Death
- Poor wound healing
- Potential for an additional surgery
- Blood clots
- Specific risks associated with the liposuction component of the procedure
- The potential that most of the transferred fat cells may not survive after treatment
- Fat embolism
- Tissue necrosis
What Concerns Can Fat Grafting Treat?
Fat injections can be used almost anywhere on the face and body to add volume. The technique can be useful for contouring the figure after liposuction.
Fat grafting can be used to enhance the:
- Face
- Hands
- Body
- Buttocks
Dr Milovic will review your options and determine if fat grafting is right for you during your initial consultation.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Fat Transfer?
If you are in good health and you are a non-smoker (or you are prepared to give up smoking for at least six weeks prior to and after surgery) and have adequate fat tissue for harvesting, you may be a suitable candidate for fat graft injections.
How Is Fat Transfer Performed?
Fat is harvested using a special suction cannula using sterile technique. Once enough fat is obtained from the donor area, it is then purified. This often requires the use of a centrifuge which spins the fat and removes impurities. The fat is then placed into the areas requiring augmentation. The injection needle is usually passed in and out of the areas to be augmented multiple times. This creates a ‘grid’ of threads of fat graft. The areas that were injected may then be massaged to create a satisfactory contour. Then a dressing is often placed over the injection site.
Fat graft injections are generally done as a day procedure under either local anaesthesia, twilight sedation or general anaesthesia, depending on the areas being targeted.
What Is the 24K Fat Transfer System?
Dr Milovic is the first to use the next generation in fat transfer technology in Australia, the 24K fat transfer system. It is designed to use the patient’s own fat, which is harvested through liposuction from areas such as the midsection, thighs or wherever excess fat is located on your body.
How Long Does Fat Transfer Last?
While some fatty tissue will naturally be reabsorbed by the body, an effect Dr Milovic takes into account when planning your cosmetic program, the fat that remains once healed should not require retreatment. Some patients do need multiple fat transfer sessions to achieve their desired look, but once this fat integrates with the surrounding tissues, it should remain there for good. Weight loss and gain over time may alter your body or facial contours, however, which is why we recommend maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regimen to preserve your outcome.
Have additional questions about fat transfer? Contact our practice to schedule a consultation and learn more about this technique.