Fat Transfer

Fat transfer, also called autologous fat transplantation or micro-lipo injection, plumps up facial features with a patient’s own fat, and is a popular alternative to other wrinkle treatments. Fat transfer to the face is a safe, natural non-allergenic procedure designed to re-contour the face, and can redefine the cheeks and chin. It can also be used to correct facial deformities. Since fat transfer uses a patient’s own fat cells, there is never an allergic reaction.

Fat is liposuctioned from other parts of the body (thighs, for example), and then transferred to the new area. Re-injected fat lasts longer in larger areas of non-movement, so it is very successful for the correction of sunken cheeks, since this area does not move as often. Fat transfer can also correct atrophic aging of the hands, and post-surgical and post-traumatic defects. Not every area of the body responds well to fat transfer. For instance, the breasts are not appropriate; injecting fat into the breast makes it much more difficult to detect breast cancer with mammograms.

Fat transfer is performed on an outpatient basis. Both the area from which the fat is taken and the treatment site are anesthetized with a local anesthetic. Using a small needle attached to a syringe, fat is removed from a donor site where the fat is most tightly packed, such as the abdomen or the buttocks. Once removed, the fat is processed to remove excess fluids, then re-injected using another needle, which is placed under the skin beneath the wrinkle. This process may be repeated until the desired correction has been achieved.

Harvesting fat cells for re-injection is often performed in conjunction with other procedures, such as liposuction, tummy tuck or cosmetic breast surgery. When fat is harvested during another procedure, it is often possible to obtain a larger amount of fat which can be frozen and stored for future use.

Call Rejuvenate! toll free at 866-594-5476 or contact us to schedule a private consultation with our skilled staff.