Fat transfer, also known as fat grafting, is a procedure in which fat is harvested from one area of the body and transferred to another for improvement or augmentation. Liposuction is performed to extract fat from a donor area, after which the fat is purified and injected into the treatment area.
You may benefit from our Houston fat transfer surgery if you want to add long-lasting volume to areas such as the face, lips, breasts, or buttocks. Volume loss in these areas can be a normal part of aging. Fat transfer can also be used in breast reconstruction and breast augmentation procedures where some added volume may be needed to camouflage the implants. Fat transfer to the buttocks is performed with our Brazilian butt lift.
Fat transfer is typically done under general anesthesia. It is an outpatient procedure performed in one of our on-site operating rooms, and it takes approximately three hours to perform, depending on the extent of liposuction and fat grafting.
You will be wearing a compression garment when you wake up after the procedure. The garment is typically worn for six weeks to prevent fluid accumulation in the areas where liposuction was performed. Medication will be prescribed for post-operative pain control. A prescription for an antibiotic is also given. Your liposuction incisions may leak fluid for the first several days, which is considered normal. You can expect some swelling and bruising.
You will have your first follow-up appointment 7 to 10 days after your fat transfer in Houston. Sutures usually do not need to be removed, as they dissolve on their own as the incisions heal. Most patients can return to light-duty work in 3 to 7 days, although some swelling may remain. You can expect to return to full activity and exercise six weeks after the procedure.
Under-correction or over-correction can occur in fat grafted areas. Although fat grafting is considered permanent, it is well known and documented that not all of the fat will survive in its new location. Typically, approximately 70% will survive, but this can vary from patient to patient. In some cases, multiple fat transfer sessions are needed to achieve the desired aesthetic effect. In order to help achieve that 70% survival, we ask that you don't smoke for six weeks prior to fat grafting and for six weeks after. This helps get better blood supply to the transplanted fat. Also, we ask that you don't put any direct pressure on the areas for six weeks.
If you are a smoker, you should stop at least six weeks before a fat transfer procedure. All medications that can cause bleeding should be stopped at least two weeks before surgery if approved by the prescribing doctor.
You may benefit from fat transfer surgery if you want to add long-lasting volume to areas such as the breasts or buttocks. Volume loss in these areas can be a normal part of aging. Fat transfer can also be used in breast augmentation procedures where some added volume may be needed to camouflage the implants. Fat transfer can also be used as the primary mode of breast augmentation in patients not wanting breast implants. Fat transfer to the buttocks is performed with our Brazilian butt lift.
Lumpiness can occur after fat transfer procedures. That is why it is imperative that you choose a surgeon that has the experience and skill to place the fat so that your results are smooth and natural.
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