Fat transfer

Fat transfer

Sculpt your body and face, just the way you want it!

Fat is a natural component of the human body, found in abundance. Its composition offers significant advantages, making it a valuable material in cosmetic medicine.

One major advantage of adipose tissue is the high concentration of stem cells it contains.

This discovery motivated modern medical science to explore innovative techniques, revealing fat as an ideal natural filler. Its stem cells enhance its durability and maintain other beneficial properties.

Many people, both men and women, struggle with lipodystrophy, an uneven distribution of fat in specific areas of the body. Fortunately, we can now restore balance through advanced treatments.

What treatments can be done and how – Fat transfer

You may have heard terms like Fat transfer or Fat transfer . These refer to treatments that reshape the body by either removing or adding fat in targeted areas.

Types of Techniques Used

  • Tumescent Liposuction: Injection of saline solution with analgesics and vasoconstrictors to the target area. It is painless and enables the safe removal of large amounts of fat with minimal blood loss.
  • Traditional Liposuction: Performed using microcannulas to manually extract fat. Suitable for small areas with little fat and good skin quality.
  • Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAL): Uses a mechanically vibrating cannula to remove fat from difficult areas like the back or calves, for patients with good skin quality.
  • Laser Liposuction: Best for removing small to moderate amounts of fat, particularly from sensitive areas like the face or neck, especially when skin quality is poor.
  • VASER Liposuction: Uses ultrasound to melt the fat while it is simultaneously aspirated. Ideal for patients with poor skin quality, offering superior skin tightening without trauma.

How Liposuction is Performed

The procedure can be done under local anesthesia in a clinic or with sedation in a hospital for larger amounts of fat. A tumescent solution is injected into the area, and fat is extracted using the selected method.

The collected fat is then processed and can be reinjected into areas of the face or body needing volume restoration—for example, under the eyes or to enhance cheekbones.

Indications for Lipofilling (Fat Grafting)

  • Facial atrophy (cheekbones, corners of the mouth)
  • Deep nasolabial folds
  • Facial asymmetries (e.g., chin)

Pure fat is transferred to the desired facial areas to increase volume or correct deficiencies. Common targets include cheekbones, jawline, under-eye hollows, and nasolabial folds.

This is a completely safe procedure using autologous fat, eliminating the risk of allergies, rejection, or foreign body reaction. Results are permanent and can be combined with procedures like blepharoplasty or facelift.

Postoperative Recovery and Potential Complications

Recovery is usually smooth, with swelling and bruising resolving within 4-6 days. However, some complications may include:

  • Bleeding
  • Hematoma or seroma
  • Bruising
  • Infection
  • Fat necrosis or embolism
  • Poor wound healing
  • Asymmetry
  • Temporary numbness
  • Rare complications such as deep vein thrombosis or cardiopulmonary issues

Patients can return home after the procedure. Fat transfer is suitable for individuals over 16 years old.

Consultation

Ask us about the Fat transfer techniques we use and our most advanced methods. Book your initial consultation to discuss your concerns!

Today, the plastic surgeon is the ideal beauty advisor for both women and men seeking to maintain or enhance a beautiful appearance.

Don’t hesitate to contact Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgeon Dr. Daskalakis for any questions regarding Fat transfer or other cosmetic procedures.

References

  1. Nasim, S., et al. (2024). Autologous Fat Grafting for Cosmetic Temporal Augmentation: Safety and Volume Retention. Frontiers in Surgery, 11: 1410162. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsurg.2024.1410162
  2. Ghosh, K. (2024). Cell-Supplemented Autologous Fat Transfer: A Review from Bench to Bedside. Open Access Emergency Medicine, 12: 1–10. https://doi.org/10.24966/OAEM-2347/100070
  3. Gao, S., Lu, B., Zhou, R., & Gao, W. (2023). Mechanisms of Fat Necrosis After Autologous Fat Grafting. Medicine, 102(10): e33220. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000033220