Fat Transfer

Use your own fat to fill in furrows and wrinkles.

Fat is a perfect filler — it is soft and has a natural feeling. There is no allergic reaction to it, since it comes from your own body. There is even a chance that it will become permanent in the new location!
Fat Transfer or Fat Grafting is a procedure that uses some of the patient's own fat tissue to fill-in creases, lines, depressions or other underdeveloped areas in the face and body. Small portions of fat are carefully taken from a donor area, like the abdomen or inner thigh, and then prepared using a special technique. Small amounts are then injected into tiny tunnels, cross-layered and structured to form a stable platform to augment or fill an area. The fat is carefully grafted, and not just injected, so that the desired appearance is achieved.
Most cosmetic surgeons believe that about 20 to 40 percent of the fat grafted will stay forever. Most of these procedures are performed under local anesthesia, and require minimum recovery time.

What areas can be treated by Fat Grafting?
Fat grafts can be used to make the lips appear fuller, reduce the appearance of "laugh lines," lift sagging cheeks and strengthen a weak chin for a more desirable profile. Fat grafts can also be used to fill-in dimples or depressions in the skin, or hollowed out areas on the face and hands. Depending upon the patient and the area grafted, fat grafts can last anywhere from several months to several years.

What is recovery like?
You can resume your normal activities almost immediately. Most patients have immediate correction with little signs of the procedure. In the treated area there is a small chance of bruising and swelling for several days, but no bandaging is necessary. The donor area is covered by an elastic pressure bandage for up to one week and can be mildly sore, but Tylenol is all that’s needed to control this mild discomfort (if it occurs at all).

Is Fat Transfer a permanent solution?
Theoretically, live fat cells should be able to "graft" to the treated area. Still, there are several factors that influence this ability to graft. The less movement the treated area gets, the more fat cells survive: in acne scars or “hollow” cheeks, one treatment may be all that is needed. In highly mobile areas (like the mouth and surrounding areas) multiple treatments are recommended. Most cosmetic surgeons believe that about 20 to 40 percent of the fat grafted will stay forever.

I'm interested - what do I do next?
Call us at 626-442-7546 to schedule an appointment to discuss your concerns with our knowledgeable staff.