While fat transfer is safe, there are some downsides of the cosmetic surgery to consider: More involved procedure than dermal filler injections. Some fat transfer may be absorbed by the body for less dramatic results. May require follow-up procedure.
A surgical fat transfer is generally a safe procedure, but it can occasionally result in: a collection of blood underneath the skin (haematoma) death of fat tissue (fat necrosis) a blockage in a blood vessel caused by a piece of fat (fat embolism)
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Fat transfer is a safe, minimally invasive procedure that creates natural-looking, youthful results. During fat transfer, a plastic surgeon takes excess fat from one area of your body and injects it into your desired area. You can add volume to your face, butt, breasts or other body parts.
The final results of a fat transfer are considered permanent. Between the ages of 16.5 and 18.5, your body loses its ability to produce new fat cells. This means that once fat cells are taken from the donor site, the donor site permanently has fewer fat cells.
Fat transfers are more versatile than other fillers because they can be injected safely anywhere on the face. They can even be used as alternatives to injectables like Botox to improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles around the forehead and eyes.
Don't Lose Weight
Losing a significant amount of weight can cause you to lose fat in the transferred area. Patients should be near their ideal weight before their fat transfer procedure. Liposuction will provide you with the body contouring results you desire.
The transferred fat cells continue to live in the area where they were injected. If a patient has significant weight gain or loss, these fat cells could expand or shrink, affecting the overall results of the procedure.
Fat removal is permanent, and while fat cells removed with liposuction will not come back, it is possible to regain weight in that area. After a fat transfer, the fat cells will permanently stay in their new home. However, you may see a proportional change in the volume of fat if you have dramatic weight changes.
Blood Clots Blood clots (deep vein thrombosis; DVT) in the veins of the arms, legs, or pelvis may result from fat transfer if it is done as a surgical procedure. These clots may cause problems with the veins or may break off and flow to the lungs (pulmonary embolus; PE) where they may cause serious breathing problems.
No worries, as long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle and are a candidate, you may reverse your fat transfer with VASER Liposuction. The excess fat deposits will be removed from your body and your frame will be sculpted to greatness.
Fat transfer: Because fat transfer to the breast utilizes a patient's own fat cells to increase breast volume – rather than a synthetic implant – the result looks and feels exceptionally natural in most cases. In addition, using the patient's own fat greatly reduces the risk of an allergic or adverse reaction.
How many cup sizes can you gain with fat transfer? On average, you can achieve an increase of around 1 cup size.
When injected in the face or breast, it feels firmer because those areas have many fibrous septa that confine the fat. It will also feel firmer there if the areas between the septa are filled, sort of like blowing up a ball that feels soft until it is filled, and then it feels firm and will bounce.
Providers inject the fat cells into your breasts, where they remain for life. A fat transfer procedure carries fewer risks than breast implants. However, it only slightly enlarges the breasts and doesn't firm them up. For these effects, you need a breast lift or breast implants.
Will the fat move after it is placed by fat transfer? Your body accepts the transferred fat as an integral part of you unlike silicone or other non-living implants. With fat transfer the fat immediately anchors to the surrounding tissues. Once it has a blood supply, the fat is extremely stable.
Generally, patients with a BMI of 22 or higher will have enough fat to achieve their desired results with fat transfer treatments. As long as you have a BMI of at least 22, and you are less than 30% over the ideal body weight, you will not need to do anything to prepare for your fat transfer treatment.
Generally speaking, a plastic surgeon will need to harvest at least 1000 cc of fat (500 ccs of fat per buttock) for a fat transfer to buttock butt lift surgery. However, most patients receive around 800 ccs of fat per buttock.
Fat grafting procedures used for breast augmentation can require the transfer of as much as four cups of fat (1,000 cc) from the donor site. Facial fat grafts, on the other hand, typically use between 10 and 50 cc of fat – the equivalent of between two teaspoons and a quarter cup.
Fat grafting from the Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery of Central Texas can eliminate deep lines and wrinkles in the face, as well as facial scars. Fat grafting can also be used to boost volume and improve definition through the cheekbones and rest of the face.
Fat transfer recovery time varies from patient to patient, but most people should arrange to take at least 7-10 days off from work and other social activities. Initial healing takes a few weeks, after which the swelling will gradually subside before the final results are apparent.
Facial fat transfers can last for several years; in many cases, results can be permanent. Keep in mind, however, that facial fat transfers do not protect against future aging. While a facial fat transfer can minimize current aging symptoms, patients should expect to see results slightly diminish over time.