What is autologous fat transfer?

Fat transfer is also referred to as fat reintroduction, free fat transfer, fat autotransfer, fat microlips or simply fat injections.

Fat transfer involves harvesting a small amount of fat from a certain part of the body where it is considered to be excess (abdomen, wings) and reimplanting it elsewhere where filling is needed. This fat can be reinjected into the lips , in the nasolabial ditches, in the dents under the eyes, in the cheeks and cheekbones, in the chaff, etc.

It is a minimally invasive procedure and does not involve any scars, neither at the place of collection nor in the correction zone. It can be done under local anesthesia and does not require hospitalization. In this way, it is possible to correct defects due to the fall of tissues through the aging process, some stones can be corrected and in any case it can give a younger look to the face.

Used as an injectable filler (instead of hyaluronic acid or collagen for example), its own fat behaves almost perfectly: it is a natural material, so the risk of allergic reactions does not exist, it is soft, perfectly adaptable to the filling area, and especially, it is cheap (customer’s material).

However, there is a disadvantage, which is that some of the injected fat is resorbed, requiring several injection sessions (about 2-3) until the desired appearance is stabilized. Compared to the other methods used, it is cheaper and does not involve scars.

What are the indications for fat transfer? 

Fat candidates must be in good health, mentally and emotionally stable, and have realistic expectations about this procedure. You need to talk to your plastic surgeon and decide whether or not this rehab method will benefit you.

If you have slow or delayed healing problems or a debilitating health condition, you are not a good candidate for this method.

What is the transfer of fat?

This procedure involves both a donor area (where fat is harvested) and a receiving area (where it is introduced). Typically, the harvesting site is the abdomen, fins, or inner hips of the thighs.

The fat is harvested with a syringe and special cannula, thin as syringe needles, then “prepared” (ie washed with nutritional solutions to remove traces of blood and to preserve the integrity of fat cells), then concentrate by decantation or centrifugation and only then enter the area to be corrected.

Recovery after fat transfer

After the fat transfer, you should expect an edema (swelling) and possibly also small wounds, which may take up to 3-7 days, so you need to arrange for a few days to miss from work or other social activities.

It is also very important to move the area as little as possible and not to spend it for a few days; locally there is no pain, but only a feeling of movement embarrassment, which disappears in cold applications (local ice).



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