Fat Injections - Fat Transfer

Fat transfer (fat injections or lipofilling) takes (harvests) fat cells from one area of the body (usually tummy or thighs) to another location elsewhere on the body or face.
It can be used to fill in wrinkles, scars, and other imperfections which can be congenital defects, following trauma or following surgery.   It can also be used to plump up the lips or cheeks.  Donor sites (site of fat harvest) may include the abdomen, buttocks, hips, and other areas where fat cells are available.  Fat transfer uses living fat cells from your own body; therefore there is no chance of rejection with this procedure.   There must be enough donor fat available.
The specific technique used by us is one developed and perfected by Dr Coleman of New York City. We have been using this technique for many years in increasing number of patients with pleasing results.
The time spent with your surgeon at Sthetix Cosmetic Surgery Clinic before any procedure is as important as the surgery itself.  This is very true for fat transfer.  It is critical that the surgeon understands your desired expectations and wishes and also that you fully understand the limitation of what can be achieved.  

Am I suitable?
Most contour defects (deep scars) following surgery and after injury and/or accidents can be improved with fat transfer.  This is also ideal for cosmetic improvements on the face like cheek augmentation, brow improvements, improvement of the peri orbital (eyelids) area, restoration of volume loss and lip augmentation.

Before surgery
You will require a full consultation with one of our expert Consultant Plastic Surgeons.
Smokers will be asked to stop smoking (fat survival is significantly reduced in smokers).

Procedure - Surgery:
The procedure is usually carried out under a general anaesthesia.  Smaller procedures can be done under local anaesthetic.
The fat grafting procedure starts with harvesting the required amount of fat from a suitable area.  The fat is then prepared by removing excess blood and fluid.  The remainder is centrifuged.  The fat is then transferred into small syringes and using specially designed cannulae, the fat is injected carefully into the desired area using tiny punctures in the skin.   As this is delicate tissue, careful handling is an essential part of the procedure. 

After surgery:
The donor area and the area of body which received the fat are both swollen and may be bruised.  The swelling takes a week or two to settle.  Over the first 3 months following the procedure, there is an apparent loss of volume.  This is related to reduction of swelling and absorption of fat cells which fail to pick up a blood supply.  Usually, we expect up to 70% of the transferred fat to survive.

Aftercare:
Your wellbeing is our first priority.  To monitor your progress we will arrange appointments at appropriate intervals for follow-up examinations with your surgeon.   All your aftercare is fully included in the cost of surgery.
When you are discharged, care instructions will be given to you and you will have 24 hour access to trained staff who will be there to advise you should you have any questions or concerns.
Two weeks after surgery, one of our trained staff will see you and check your wounds.  The swelling and bruising from the fat transfer/injection should be reduced significantly.  The surgeon who performed your surgery will see you after 6 weeks for a follow-up and as often as required until you are fully recovered.  This follow-up is a standard and will be provided at no extra cost.
In the unlikely event of a problem, arrangements will be made for you to be seen by trained staff, and if required, by the surgeon who performed the procedure.  As all our surgeons live and work locally, it is always possible to see your surgeon at relatively short notice if required.  Our surgeons don’t leave the country, or indeed the local area after performing the surgery.   On the rare occasion that the surgeon leaves the local area for other commitments, there will always be another trained plastic surgeon from our team available to provide care.
In the unlikely event of a complication which is directly related to your surgery, we will provide or arrange further surgery and/or treatment at no extra cost.