Fat Grafting/Transfer  in Chicago

A fat grafting procedure involves the removal of fat from one body region and transfer or placement of the fat into another body area. Fat can be transferred to the buttocks, face, hands, and breast regions. This is a safe, well-tolerated cosmetic procedure that offers natural-looking outcomes.

Candidates for Fat Grafting

You can have fat transfers if you:

• Have facial areas that appear to be sunken, hollow, or creased.
• Desire a permanent corrective procedure over temporary fillers.
• Wish to improve the size and shape of your

Facial Fat Transfer

If you have noticeable facial creases, such as smile lines, crow’s feet, or laugh lines, you can benefit from fat grafting. The fat may be removed from the thighs, abdomen, or buttocks and transferred to the face. Facial fat grafting is useful for aging temples and chin nasolabial folds, skin depressions, sunken cheeks, and to restore overall balance to the face using the body’s natural tissue.

In a recent study where fat transfer was used for facial rejuvenation, 87% of patients reported that they were very satisfied with the procedure. In addition, 95% reported that they would have the procedure again. The clinical study found that fat transfer to the face was a safe, effective means of facial rejuvenation.

Breast Reconstruction with Fat Transfer

After mastectomy surgery, one or both breasts are removed. The plastic surgeon can provide breast reconstruction using fat that is moved from your own body. The doctor uses fat tissue to form new breasts with or without the use of an implant.

Due to the complex process of breast reconstruction, this is often a multistage surgery, requiring a couple additional fat grafting procedures. When an implant-based reconstruction is done, fat grafting is used as an adjunct to smooth out the shape of the breast in a natural appearing way.

Buttock Augmentation with Fat Grafting

Called the Brazilian butt lift, fat transfer from one body region to the buttocks is used for people who desire a rounder, fuller bottom. Liposuction is used to remove fat from the abdomen, arms, neck, thighs, or legs. The fat is then injected into the buttocks to make them bigger.

The Procedure

There are three steps to the fat transfer procedure: harvesting, processing, and placement. Fat is moved from one region of the body, collected and processed in the operating room, and then carefully injected into the areas requiring augmentation.

• Harvesting – This involves numbing the targeted areas with a local anesthetic. After a small incision is made, liposuction techniques are used to remove the fat cells.
• Processing – After being removed from the body, the fat is processed in order to allow for smoother placement into the buttocks and improved take. Azizi prefers to use a “closed system” for processing, whereby the fat is not exposed to the open air environment. This is done to decrease the chances of bacteria contamination as well as to keep the fat more viable.
• Placement – The area to receive the graft is fully cleaned in sterile fashion. To place the fat cells, a special injection needle is used. Each time the needle is withdrawn, a line of fatty tissue is deposited into the natural tissue planes.

Resources

Groen JW, Negenborn VL, Twisk JW, et al. (2016). Autologous Fat Grafting in Cosmetic Breast Augmentation: A Systematic Review on Radiological Safety, Complications, Volume Retention, and Patient/Surgeon Satisfaction. Aesthet Surg Journal.

Scorza R, Scorza R, Troccola A, et al. (2012). Autologous fat transfer for face rejuvenation with tumescent technique fat harvesting and saline washing: a report of 215 cases. Derm, 224(3), 244-250.