Fat Injections - Body
Fat Grafting To The Body
Fat grafting is a surgical technique that can restore volume and enhance shape of the breast and body. Fat may be removed from regions of the body (usually from the abdomen, flanks, or thighs) where it is not desirable and transferred to regions such as the breast or buttock for volume enhancement. Fat grafting can also be used to smooth the irregular contours left by laser liposuction. The technique has also been called fat injection or fat transfer.
What can fat injections achieve?
Fat injections can be used in a variety of ways to improve the shape and contour of the breast, buttocks and other body regions.
- To augment breast volume, improve breast shape and cleavage
- To reduce visible wrinkling of breast implants
- To improve retracted breast scars after breast surgery for cancer
- To augment and shape the buttocks (Brazilian Butt Lift)
- To smooth contour irregularities that result from laser liposuction
- To smooth the back of the hands for a more youthful appearance
- To improve the quality and appearance of all types of scars (scar revision)
The main advantage of fat injection is that it is a 100% natural filler. The other advantage of fat is that there is usually an adequate supply of fat from regions of the abdomen, flanks and thighs. Fat injection procedures can be combined with a comprehensive body liposuction procedure for a complete cosmetic transformation.
What type of anesthesia is used?
Fat injections to small areas may be performed in the office under local anesthesia. For larger volumes of fat injection (to the breast or buttock), we use IV sedation anesthesia in the operating room. This anesthetic technique involves giving sedating medication that will make you very relaxed and sleepy during the procedure but does not require putting a breathing tube in the throat. The procedure can also be done under a general anesthetic.
What is the recovery like?
After fat injection, there is minimal discomfort in the donor area from where fat is removed. Any minor bruising of the injected portions of the breast or body will generally improve over a number of days. When more extensive fat grafting is performed recovery may be longer.
How long will the results last?
Fat injections are longer lasting than most other injectable fillers (such as Juvederm, Sculptra, Restylane, Perlane, and Radiesse). Because fat is a natural substance, there is typically less reaction to the injected fat by the body. Injected fat has the potential to survive for many years in the new location. Survival of fat is greater in areas where there is limited movement, such as the breasts and back of hands.
I am interested! What do I do next?
If you are considering fat injections with liposuction procedure we encourage you to complete this Surgical Consultation Intake Form. Dr. Burnett will tell you whether you are a suitable candidate for this procedure and inform you of the alternatives and potential risks of the procedure.
