The concept of removing fat from one part of the body and injecting it into another part is one of the most exciting concepts to be added to the field of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. While fat transplantation has been done in various ways for some time (first recorded in the late 1800’s), the concept of fat transplantation by microinjection is relatively new.
Why would we want to use fat as a grafting tool? For one thing, we should realize that one of the main causes of aging is the apparent loss of fat in one’s face. Typically we think of the aging face as one in which the skin and underlying muscles have stretched in response to wear and tear and the effects of gravity. While this is true to some extent and can often be repaired with more traditional procedures, such as a face-lift, we find that the loss of fat may be an even greater contributor to the appearance of aging.
If we look at the round cheeks of a baby and compare that with the more hollowed appearance of an adult it is clear that there are tremendous changes in the distribution of fat. The skin may be thought of as an envelope and the underlying fat and muscles are the contents. As the contents thin out, then there will be a relatively larger envelope. In the case of the face, this will appear in the form of sagging or wrinkles. Replacing fat in some of these areas restores a more youthful and attractive appearance.
Fat can be harvested from one part of the body and then re-injected into another part where it is needed. Since the fat is re-vascularized in order to survive, it will not be absorbed into the body. This is different from collagen (for example), which is ultimately reabsorbed because of a rejection reaction in which the body clears the material because it is a foreign substance. When it is your own fat it cannot be rejected.
To learn more about The Space Lift, contact Dr. Berman at 310-473-4545 or schedule a free consultation with him at Beyond Harmony Med Spa.