At Keller Plastic Surgery, board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Gregory S. Keller and his team of specialists provide a variety of advanced cosmetic treatments such as fat transfer injections to residents of Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and nearby communities in Southern California.
What is the goal of Fat Transfer injections?
Fat transfer, sometimes called “fat grafting,” refers to a treatment known medically as autologous fat transplantation or micro-lipoinjection, a safe and effective cosmetic procedure that harvests fat from one area of the body and transfers it to another by means of lipoinjection. This procedure is used to add volume and fullness to certain areas of the face, while extracting excess fat from other areas, such as the tummy, back, or thighs.
What are the advantages of Fat Transfer over other procedures?
The fat transfer procedure uses your own tissue to add volume to areas of your face. Fat transfer is also performed using no conspicuous incisions, so there is virtually no scarring. Fat transfer is a less invasive procedure than plastic surgery, requiring a shorter recovery period.
Who is the ideal candidate for a Fat Transfer?
The fat transfer procedure is suitable for almost any healthy adult in good general health that has enough body fat to provide fat cells for harvesting.
What happens during the Fat Transfer procedure?
The fat transfer procedure requires a three-step process:
- Step 1: Fat cells are extracted from the harvest site using liposuction, in which a cannula is inserted into the harvest site and suctions out clumps of fat cells.
- Step 2: Harvested fat cells are processed into a liquid and prepared for injection.
- Step 3: Liquefied, harvested fat cells are delivered to the target area by means of lipo-injections.
How many Fat Transfer treatments will I need?
Many patients require only one session. Occasionally, a person’s body may absorb some of the transplanted fat cells, and when this happens, one or more additional fat transfer treatments may be required in order to achieve and maintain optimal results.
What types of results does Fat Transfer produce?
While you will see immediate improvement upon the completion of your treatment, the final results of your fat transfer procedure will be fully appreciable after a few weeks, once the swelling has subsided. Results from a fat transfer procedure look and feel extremely natural, and in most cases, these results are considered permanent; however, weight gain or loss in the future may affect your results over time, and some patients opt to undergo follow-up treatments after a few years.
Is there an extensive recovery process after Fat Transfer?
Immediately upon completion of the procedure, you may experience some tenderness and soreness. Compression garments may be applied to the treatment area to support delicate tissue and accelerate the healing process. You will need to come in every few weeks for follow-up visits in order for our team to monitor your progress. Typically, minor swelling and bruising following the procedure will subside within a few days, and any discomfort may be relieved with medication. Most patients can resume non-strenuous physical activities after two to three days.
At Keller Plastic Surgery, led by board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Gregory S. Keller, fat transfer treatments using your own body fat are available for Southern California residents in and around Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and Beverly Hills. Contact one of our offices today to set up your complimentary consultation!
