Fat Grafting

A fat grafting procedure involves removing fat from parts of the body and re-implanting it in places where it is needed. Over the last 2 decades, fat grafting techniques have advanced greatly and as a result, the survival of fat cells in the face has improved by 75% and in other areas of the body by 50%. There are also newer techniques being trialled of extracting the stem cells from fat and using this on its own to treat wrinkles or with fat to enhance survival of the cells. These techniques, however, are as yet unproven and are also expensive and laborious.

It is now known that fat is the biggest source of stem cells within the body. These cells can be used to produce not only fat, but other types of tissue, as for instance blood vessels in the heart. If you would like to regain a youthful appearance or reduce wrinkles though a fat transfer procedure, call 020 7901 8500 to book a consultation with one of our consultants or fill in the contact form and we will respond to you by email or phone.

Benefits of Fat Grafting

Grafted fat can be used in small quantities to reduce wrinkles and hollows around the eyes, or bulk up the lips. In larger quantities, it can be used to build up the contours of the face and remove hollowness of the cheeks. The objective of this procedure is to try and reproduce a rounder, more youthful facial appearance.

Is Fat Transfer Surgery Right For You?

Fat grafting can be used as a more permanent alternative to dermal fillers, which need regular replacement. It is, however, a somewhat more intense procedure causing more swelling initially. The end results should be permanent. In the case of some patients, it may take more than one grafting to achieve the desired result.  

Larger quantities of fat can be taken to enhance the buttocks and breasts. BodyJet liposuction is an ideal way to obtain this fat and to prepare it for grafting.

As with any medical procedure, it is important to maintain realistic expectations regarding results, and these will be discussed at your consultation.

About the Fat Transfer Procedure

Fat grafting is the plumping of deficient areas with fat cells taken from other areas of the body. These donor sites include the thighs, abdomen and buttocks. Fat cells also have the affect of rejuvenating the overlying skin by improving wrinkles and colour.

This is a very useful affect in skin that has been damaged skin as a result of burns or radiotherapy.

 This is a very useful add-on procedure to patients undergoing liposuction elsewhere. This is because the fat that is removed during liposuction is not wasted.

What Happens on the Day of the Procedure

Before surgery: The procedure is often done under local anaesthesia, but if patients are anxious, IV sedation or general anaesthesia can be given.

During surgery: Fat removed from the donor site is treated in two different ways before grafting. The usual technique is Colman’s technique. In this technique the fat is harvested and then spun in a centrifuge to concentrate the useful cells for grafting. The other elements are discarded. The fat is then re-injected in tiny droplets from small syringes.

When much larger quantities of fat are required, as in buttock and breast augmentation, fat can be taken much more conveniently using the BodyJet technique. The BodyJet is an excellent standard technique of liposuction. Fat is loosened by a spray of local anaesthetic acting like a pressure washer. The fat is thus then an ideal form for direct re-injection elsewhere as a graft.

Find out more about other fat removal procedures.

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