Fat Grafting

 Over the past century, transferring fat from one area of the body to another has become increasingly successful.  The popularity of liposuction has advanced the field to the point where fat can safely be harvested from one area and injected into another.  This technique is being used in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery to correct a variety of deformities.
Fat grafting has become popular for correcting facial deformities as well as correcting aging related changes.  As we age, we lose fat in our faces as well as the tissues that descend due to gravity.  In combination with a facelift, the fat is used to fill those areas that have deflated over time.
Fat can be used as permanent facial filler, lasting longer than products such as Juvederm or Restylane.  Fat is also used to correct aging related changes in the hands, help with scar deformities, and may help skin damage from radiation.
Fat grafting is also used to correct for irregularities after breast reconstruction or massive weight loss surgery.  It is also used to augment the buttocks in the popular “Brazilian Butt Lift,” as well as to augment breasts without implants.
Using standard liposuction techniques, the surgeon harvests fat from areas such as the abdomen, hips and flanks and processes them for injection.  Through tiny incisions, the fat is injected into the tissues where it grows a new blood supply.  About half of the fat that is transferred survives.  An additional one or two surgeries may be necessary to obtain an optimal result.
Common side effects are pain and bruising of the areas that underwent liposuction.  Liposuction and fat grafting can be performed under local anesthesia, but may require general anesthesia for larger procedures.
Call us today at 661-253-2211 to discuss your options.  Dr. Tran is a board certified plastic surgeon trained at the Mayo Clinic.  Visit us at www.paultranmd.com.