Fat Injections
Dermal fillers are an excellent method of reducing wrinkles, contouring specific body parts, and plumping areas that have lost volume. However, these methods come with the drawback of potential allergic reactions or rejection, leading to severe complications.
The solution is to use the body’s natural fat reserves as a dermal filler instead. Since the fat comes from the person’s body, it won’t create an allergic reaction, and the risk of rejection is minimal. Fat transfer has become one of the most popular cosmetic facial procedures in Beverly Hills due to its versatility and reliability.
What Is Fat Grafting?
Fat transfer, or grafting, involves taking fat from one area of the body (the donor site), processing it to remove any contaminants, and injecting the pure autologous fat into another area. As the fat can replicate and survive in the new area, it offers a more permanent and natural alternative to dermal fillers.
While there are recorded instances of fat grafting dating back to the late 19th century, the technique has only gained prominence in the last several years. The main difficulty with fat transfer was ensuring that the extracted fat would survive in the new area, and old liposuction techniques often produced poor results.
Modern techniques are significantly more sophisticated, leading to longer-lasting and more consistent results. As such, fat injections are becoming increasingly popular as an anti-aging solution for people of all ages.
Uses of Fat Injection
As we age, our skin loses volume due to reduced collagen production. This volume loss leads to excess wrinkles, sagging skin, and a different facial appearance. Some people lose the fatty pad under their eyes, which exacerbates dark undereye circles, while others suffer from jowl formation or dropping buttocks.
Fat injections replace your body’s natural fat deposits in areas that need it. What makes fat injections so useful is that fat is living tissue and will continue to replicate in its new home. So unlike dermal fillers, a successful fat implant can last for several years and may even produce permanent results.
Fat injections are ideal for any area that needs extra plumpening or contouring. Some of the most common uses include:
- Face augmentation to remove nasolabial folds, tear troughs, and improve cheek definition
- Chin augmentation
- Lip augmentation
- Breast augmentation
- Hand rejuvenation
- Buttock rejuvenation and contouring
- Correction of skin depressions and scars
Benefits of Fat Injection
Fat injections are similar to dermal fillers but offer several extra benefits that our patients appreciate. These include:
- Slims down the donor area
- Prevents allergic reactions and rejection
- Provides a natural appearance
- Offers long-lasting results
- Easily combines with other procedures such as liposuction
- Patients experience minimal downtime after the procedure
What Does the Procedure Involve?
As with any other procedure we offer, the process starts with a comprehensive consultation with an expert surgeon. This consultation includes identifying the areas to be treated and donor sites and explaining the process and risks involved.
The surgeon will work with you to best meet your needs. They’ll provide you with various options and help you choose the one that suits you. If you have any doubts or questions, don’t hesitate to ask, and we’ll do our utmost to set your mind at ease.
The procedure itself lasts between one and two hours. The doctor will apply a local anesthetic to the donor area and treatment area to numb any sensation and reduce discomfort. The first step involves removing fat from the donor site, usually via manual liposuction, to preserve as much living fat as possible.
The second step is processing the fat to remove dead cells and excess fluid. There are several methods to purify the fat, including centrifugation or washing with saline. Your surgeon will choose the right strategy for the volume and quality of fat they extract from the donor site. Once the doctor has a good layer of healthy adipose fat, they’ll proceed onto the third step.
During the final stage, the surgeon will inject the fat into the identified areas. The amount of fat needed for the procedure depends mainly on your requirements. Facial fat injections require a lot less fat than breast augmentation or hand rejuvenation, as well as less time.
The level of anesthesia also depends on the scope of the fat transplant. In many cases, local anesthesia is enough, but in more extensive surgeries, we may recommend sedation. Your surgeon will discuss your options with you before the surgery.
The results of fat injections typically last significantly longer than dermal fillers. Most of our clients report seeing results for more than several years. However, some patients may see a decline in fatty tissue after several months, at which point we’ll recommend a maintenance procedure to ensure the best results possible.
Potential Complications
Just like any other surgery, fat transfer has several risks. While severe complications are rare, most patients can expect swelling, bruising, and pain around the donor and target area. More serious complications include:
- Fat necrosis
- Fatty cysts
- Hematoma
- Facial asymmetry
- Scar tissue
- Blood clots at the treatment site
- Poor reaction to the anesthesia
Should you notice any of these symptoms, contact your plastic surgeon at once.
Recovery
Once the surgery is complete, your doctor will advise you on aftercare and your recovery following the procedure. We recommend restricting movement for a week after the surgery to give the implanted fat cells a better chance of survival. While we don’t recommend strenuous exercise for at least a month after the procedure, we recommend regular walks to enhance circulation to the treated area.
You should start to notice results a week after your treatment, though your full results will appear after around a month. Most patients will experience permanent results from their fat injection treatment, but some may have to come back for a follow-up procedure.
If you’re concerned about sagging facial features or are interested in the benefits of a fat injection treatment in Beverly Hills, give Soma Plastics a call at 855-SOMA-855. Our specialists will advise you on the perfect procedure to restore your youthful appearance.