When a man or woman loses weight or moves through the normal aging process, they lose that smooth and plump look in specific body areas where volume once resided. A terrific way to regain this lost volume is through a cosmetic treatment known as fat grafting (a fat transfer). A fat transfer removes fat from a section on the body and injects it into another area that needs additional volume. Fat transfer procedures can be used on large areas, such as the buttocks, or on delicate and smaller features, such as the laugh lines or cheeks. Fat grafting and transfers are generally chosen when an individual desires a natural enhancement vs. using implants or fillers. Our Scottsdale, AZ board-certified plastic surgeons incorporate the most effective grafting techniques for performing fat transfers. This procedure at Forma Plastic Surgery creates gorgeous, soft outcomes.
If you experience hollow cheeks or deflated regions of the body, fat transfer is a natural treatment option for adding volume to these areas. Using unwanted fat from another part of your body, we can purify and inject it into the cheeks or buttocks. During a visit to Forma Plastic Surgery, our plastic surgeons will create a surgical plan that outlines the techniques, anesthesia type, and any fees associated with the treatment.
A fat transfer procedure includes a combination of liposuction, spinning the fat removed, and injecting the fat into the designated areas needing added volume. These steps are repeated until reaching the desired volume. A traditional tumescent liposuction is used for this type of procedure. In general, the fat transfer sites will be slightly “over-filled” as the body will reabsorb some of the fat during healing.
After a fat transfer, you will go through a healing phase. Remember, you have at least two sites on the body that require healing: the area involving liposuction and the injection sites. The recovery process might last longer if we addressed a larger area on the body. At first, the sites will appear swollen and red, but you can experience results almost immediately. An additional bonus is the area that involved fat removal will appear slimmer. A fat transfer produces natural-looking results; however, you will have some reabsorption back to the body. In some patients, an additional transfer may be necessary later on.
