Fat Transfer

Fat transfer or lipofilling has been around for about 100 years and its combination with liposuction has been used for over 20 years but In that time the technique has been criticized as it can lead to the fat dying, leaving cysts or calcification. Techniques of transferring fat using liposuction and lipofilling have evolved and are being developed to augment with better results, however, this technique is not for every patient.

If you want to plump up sunken cheekbones, fill in stubborn facial lines or create more supple lips, you may want to consider fat injections. Fat injections are a popular medium to long-term solution to temporarily improve the appearance of hollow cheeks, thin lips, an ageing forehead, eyes, and scars.

There is no need for concern about a foreign substance in your body since the fat used in the injection is taken directly from another area of your body. Repeated treatments may be necessary — good candidates are prepared for multiple sessions in order to achieve their desired results.

To be a candidate for fat injections, patients must have excess fat in another part of the body from which to harvest the fat injection. Usually the fat it is taken from the abdomen or buttocks. Injection of fat does cause more temporary swelling (bee sting lips) than the injection of other substances. Fat cells are then removed from the donor area with a cannula (a thin hollow tube) that is connected to a vacuum device (liposuction technique). After the fat cells are suctioned, they are processed and purified. The fat is then injected beneath the skin into the target area. 

These are rare and often only temporary; however, they may include:

• Allergic reaction to the local anaesthetic
• Rarely permanent discolouration caused by a ruptured blood vessel at the treatment site
• Calcification, a distorted look if overcorrection is done thus I follow conservative approach
• Peri-operative bleeding
• A blood clot at the treatment or donor site
• A blood-borne infection (perhaps from another cosmetic or dental procedure in the peri-operative period)
• Scar tissue

General anaesthetic or conscious sedation Hospital stay: 1 night for general anaesthetic or out-patient procedure for conscious sedation Recovery Driving: 3-5 days Back to work: 1 week (depending on bruising) Exercise: 4 weeks