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Fat Grafting Procedure

Also known as an Autoplogous Fat Transfer

What is Fat Grafting?

Wrinkles are a result of the body’s natural aging process though can also appear when fat has been lost due to trauma, illness, or defect. Without a protective layer of fat underneath, skin appears saggy and lifeless. By strategically placing a little bit of the patient’s own body fat just beneath the affected skin the wrinkles can be reversed, through cosmetic surgery procedures.

The patient’s own body fat is used in fat grafting procedures in a technique called autologous fat transfer. This technique helps cut down on the chance of rejection since the body will recognize its own tissue. This technique also minimizes the chance of allergic reaction that a patient might experience as a result of using artificial injected materials.

What to expect during the Fat Grafting procedure?

The procedure can be performed under local anesthesia and there are no artificial injection fillers used. The chance of rejection is low because fat from the patient’s own body is used and the patient can enjoy permanent results.

Fat Injections

This treatment begins with a liposuction procedure performed in a fat-rich area of the body, such as the belly, buttocks, or thighs; once removed, the fat is sterilized. A small needle is used to inject the sterilized fat into the area receiving treatment. The fat is placed into the muscle tissue beneath the skin in order to achieve optimal results; the injected fat receives nourishment from the blood-rich muscles and begins to resolve the wrinkles.

Facial Fat Grafting

This procedure specifically targets wrinkled skin on the face. It can be performed under local anesthesia or under general anesthesia if it is part of a more extensive series of treatments. Facial fat grafts often targets the lips, cheeks, or around the eyes. This procedure can also help correct scaring from acne.

What to expect during the recovery for the Fat Grafting procedure?

Patients report a low instance of significant pain after receiving fat grafting. Bruising, tenderness, and swelling at the injection and donor sites are normal and will subside. Swelling will fully resolve within 3 – 4 months, after which the results of the procedure will be evident. While some degree of fat re-absorption may occur, fat transfer procedures are a trusted permanent solution to many cosmetic concerns.

There has been an increasing number of deaths worldwide from fat grafting to the buttocks, making this procedure number one, in terms of mortality as a plastic surgery procedure. The reason for this is related to a combination of the massive volume which is being injected in order to obtain a single stage very large buttock, and as part of this, the fat is injected into or deep to the most exterior muscle of the buttock called the Gluteus Maximus muscle. Injection of fat into or deep to the muscle can lead to a rupture of a large vein on the under the surface of the muscle which can lead to a fatal embolism of fat into the lungs. In view of the above, my office will always continue to inject only between the skin and the muscle under local anesthesia with oral sedation. Further, we educate our patients that the procedure will need to be repeated again in 3-6 months in order to obtain a final and long-lasting result. Our technique limits the possibility of a deeper injection since the awake patient would certainly let us know if the muscle was injured or penetrated. Also, staging the procedure into 2 separate events allows the body time to stretch the ligaments between the skin and muscle to accommodate the increased fatty volume. After fat grafting to the buttocks, our patients wear a firm corset, with buttock cheek cut-outs, to help stretch the ligaments through the molding of the fat into where it is needed and our patients use a kneeling stool and or thigh lift cushion to avoid any direct pressure on the buttocks for 6 weeks after surgery.

To find out more about available treatments and procedures, request a consultation with Dr. Moulton-Barrett at one of his Bay Area offices. Board certified plastic surgeon Rex Moulton-Barrett, M.D., offers advanced care and procedures for Bay Area residents. He has offices in Alameda and Brentwood, CA.

Our Clinics

Alameda Clinic

2070 Clinton Ave
Fourth Floor
Alameda, CA 94501

Phone  (510) 864-1800

 

Brentwood Clinic

1280 Central Blvd
Suite J-5
Brentwood, CA 94513

Phone  (925) 240-8775

 

ALAMEDA OFFICE

BRENTWOOD OFFICE

Alameda Location:

2070 Clinton Ave, Alameda, CA 94501

510-864-1800

Brentwood Location

1280 Central Blvd, Suite J-5, Brentwood, CA 94513

925-240-8775