What Is a Fat Transfer?
Fat transfer as a cosmetic procedure is a way to add volume to the face using a patient’s own fat tissue from other parts of the body. This fat can then be transferred to the face to replace lost volume from the aging process or to help a patient add volume to achieve aesthetic goals. The benefit of using fat from the patient’s own body ensures that the body will recognize the materials and prevent complications.
Who is a Candidate for a Fat Transfer?
A fat transfer, also known as fat grafting; transfers fat from areas in which the patients have a surplus of fat such as the thighs and flanks. The fat is then injected it into areas that may be lacking in volume. Areas commonly injected into are the face, hands, breasts or buttocks. This is a safe and long-lasting, procedure that produces natural-looking results.
The candidates best suited for a fat transfer are those who have facial wrinkles, such as laugh lines, smile lines, and crow’s-feet. This is a more natural alternative to traditional dermal fillers. Your doctor can even use harvested fat to minimize lines between your nose and mouth, correct skin indentations and minimize forehead wrinkles much like a dermal filler would.
How Does a Fat Transfer Work?
There are three main parts to the fat transfer process:
Harvesting
Once you and your surgeon select an area to take the fat from, a local anesthetic will be used to numb the area for the patient’s comfort. Next, a small incision will be made in the harvest area for fat removal and using a sterile technique, your doctor will insert a cannula connected to a syringe to carefully extract fat (liposuction).
Purification and Transfer
Once the fat is harvested, it will be processed to prepare the fat cells for the transfer to small syringes used for fat injection. Processing involves the purification of the fat and may require the use of a centrifuge to filter the fat and remove impurities.
Placement
The area elected to receive the fat transfer will then be prepared. Your doctor will insert the needle into the incision point and passed in and out of the area multiple times. This process is repeated until the desired modification has been accomplished.
Fat Transfer at MetroMD
Fat Transfer by Dr. Martin in Los Angeles is a great option for patients looking for a more natural approach to replacing lost volume to smooth the skin for a more youthful appearance. If you are interested in a fat transfer, contact MetroMD today to schedule a consultation. MetroMD looks forward to help you find a customized treatment plan for all your anti-aging needs. For more information, visit our blog.
