Use of the body’s own fat was actually first undertaken well over 100 years ago when a fatty lump was transferred by Vincenz Czerny from a woman’s back to her breast for augmentation after removal of a tumour.
The use of a patient’s own fat has taken some time to become an established part of the cosmetic surgeon’s armamentarium, but now has widespread uses in facial rejuvenation (especially for those with prior facelifts), and the improvement of localised soft-tissue defects, for example, after injury, birth defects or following tumour removal.
Because we all lose subcutaneous fat as we age, particularly in the face, Fat Transfer is potentially an ideal, volume-enhancing treatment if you would like to achieve natural-looking, safe and long-lasting results in areas of the body with diminished fat levels.
More questions about Fat Transfer?
Who would benefit from Fat Injections?
If there are volume-deficient areas of your face or body, such as the hands or lips, for which you desire augmentation or filling, then fat grafting could be the perfect procedure. Depressions in the skin contour, perhaps having developed after liposuction, are also popular areas to have fat injections.
You will generally need to be in good health to be considered for fat transfer. Nonetheless, fat grafting is increasing in popularity, given that fat is an effective filler successful in rejuvenating many parts of the body and avoids the inherent risks associated with fillers derived from cadavers or animals. It needs to adopt a new blood supply when grafted, but if it ‘takes’ it is effectively permanent, unlike dermal fillers such as hyaluronic acid.
As every Fat Injection procedure is different we undertake a detailed consultation with the patient to make sure that they are 100% happy with every aspect of the surgery.
This procedure is usually performed under local anaesthetic and the patient can normally return home the same day.
Because of long term loss of volume areas are often over filled and so the lips may look trout like. Recovery is usually very quick and is normally complete within 48 hours.
A significant amount of injected fat is dissolves over time (as much as 80% at 1 year – where did this figure come from? I usually quote 60 – 70% survival in the face and less elsewhere). Top ups will be required to maintain filling particularly in areas that move a lot. Lumps can occur particularly if injected under thin skin of the lower eyelids or the back of the hand.
