About Fat Transfers
When your weight fluctuates and as you age, you may lose fullness in areas of your face and body. A terrific way to regain volume is through an advanced cosmetic technique known as an autologous fat transfer (also called fat grafting). A fat transfer extracts excess fat from your body and injects it into an area where you want additional volume. A fat transfer can be used on large areas (such as the breasts or buttocks) or on delicate and smaller features (such as facial lines, lips, cheeks, or under the eyelid). Fat transfers can give you a natural volume instead of an implant or an injectable facial filler with the added benefit of removing fat from areas where you don't want it. Miami Beach, FL plastic surgeon Dr. Gary J. Rosenbaum is skilled at using the most effective liposuction and grafting methods for performing fat transfers. An autologous fat transfer at Gary J. Rosenbaum, M.D., P.A. can give you beautiful results that look natural.
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Ideal Candidates
If you want to have additional smoothness and volume in specific places on your face or body that appear deflated and flat, you may be an appropriate candidate for a fat transfer. This specialized enhancement is even more advantageous because it offers natural-looking results by incorporating your own fat. By doing this, there is less risk of rejection compared to implants or dermal fillers. Both women and men at Gary J. Rosenbaum, M.D., P.A. considering this treatment need to be at a healthy weight and have enough fat to remove for the transfer. During your consultation, Dr. Rosenbaum will go over your options and determine if you have enough excess fat to achieve your goals.
Surgical Technique
When undergoing a fat transfer, you will be placed under some form of anesthesia. The exact type of anesthesia or numbing method will be based on how much fat is being taken out and where it will be grafted. Liposuction is completed via a special cannula to precisely remove the fat, where it will then be harvested and separated through a centrifuge (which prepares the highest quality fat for syringes). After preparing the injection site, the extracted fat will be added to the area chosen for the transfer. The process of injecting is performed in layers until even smoothness has been attained. For some areas, multiple injections will be necessary. Dr. Rosenbaum will typically add more fat than is needed for your goal to account for a small amount of fat that is usually reabsorbed by the body.
What to Expect
After the transfer process has been completed, you will begin a healing period. Keep in mind there are at least two sites on the body that need to be carefully treated: the area involving liposuction and the injection sites. The overall recovery may be longer for larger transfers. For example, a fat transfer to the lips will generally only warrant a 1 – 2 days for recovery whereas a transfer to a larger body part, such as the breast or buttocks, can take weeks. Dr. Rosenbaum will discuss what you should expect during your recovery in your consultation. The injection site(s) will appear swollen with some possible bruising, but the results can usually be seen right away. Another perk is the area where liposuction was used will appear slimmer. Fat grafting yields beautiful and lasting results, but there will be some resorption back to the body. For some, another transfer may be needed down the road. There is usual minimal scarring associated with this procedure.
Take the Natural Approach
If you want fuller lips, fewer facial lines or curves in the right places, consider the natural-looking results created by fat transfer. Whether you only want a little volume or a lot, an autologous fat transfer can improve the appearance of your face, breasts, or butt. This procedure can help you achieve the look you want without artificial fillers or implants. Contact our staff to schedule your consult at Gary J. Rosenbaum, M.D., P.A. and learn more about fat transfers for natural-looking volume in your face and body.