The careful transfer of fat from one part of the body to another is a technique which has become increasingly popular. It has been shown to be effective in correcting defects from areas where fat has atrophied or diminished. An added benefit is that the transferred fat in micro droplets is frequently seen to improve the overlying skin. This is believed to be the result of the presence of adult stem cells in the transferred fat. Only one kind of fat, however, can be used -- it must come from the same person who is undergoing the fat transfer grafting. This is termed autogenous fat as in an autogenous tissue transfer. The procedure is most frequently performed as an out-patient procedure under local anesthesia with sedation.
Where is the Fat Used?
Common locations for fat injection grafting include the lips, cheeks, back of the hand, breasts, and in locations where a patient has been over liposuctioned, leaving a localized indentation. It has been particularly useful in patients who have had a mastectomy for breast cancer followed by irradiation. The tight hard radiated skin will frequently be seen to soften when injected with autogenous fat. It has also been remarkably effective in correcting the atrophic, wrinkled labia majora, giving a full and youthful look.
Comparison to Common Fillers
Autogenous fat grafting must be viewed in perspective and compared to other filler materials of which there are many on the commercial market. The advantages to the use of autogenous living tissue are obvious, nevertheless, a brief review is in order.
- There is no chance for an allergic reaction or rejection
- The amount of fat which survives is permanent, living tissue
- The cost over time is less when one considers the cost of repeat injections of the commercial fillers
Comercial fillers, however, are quite convenient. As everyone knows, the commercial filler materials are heavily marketed. The reason is obvious; there is a financial incentive. No commercial company can market your own adipose tissue (fat). It is therefore expedient for the patient to become knowledgeable and choose what procedure is right for them in the long run.
The advantage of the commercial fillers is that they can be taken off the shelf and injected directly.
Preparation of the Graft
In comparison to the commercial fillers, autogenous fat must be harvested by a non-destructive modality of liposuction (i.e. no Laser-Lipo -- by whatever catchphrase name, such as "Stupid Lipo," and no ultrasonic liposuction; both of which kill fat).
Following the careful harvesting of autogenous fat, the fat must be separated and concentrated so that only pure living fat cells are available to be injected in micro amounts into the living tissues in the appropriate locations. Care is taken to avoid placing a large amount of fat in a single location. The f at must be carefully interspersed in order to insure an adequate blood supply so the injected fat will live. One can expect approximately 50% or more survival of the injected fat by volume in most cases, depending on the care taken during the procedure.
In the Breast
If large amounts of fat are desired -- as in autogenous breast augmentation -- then repeat procedures are necessary to gain the desired volume. By comparison, breast augmentation using a prosthetic implant, is a one stage procedure. Fortunately, each time injection grafting is performed, the patient can expect to have more living tissue, which will then provide an ever increasing blood supply to nourish the newly injected fat.
In the Face and Lips
In the sallow face with wrinkled lips, fat injections are invaluable to plumping up wrinkled and sunken structures and provide a more youthful appearance. This may be combined with an effective dermabrasion to reduce the lip wrinkling. While there is a significant amount of swelling, in a few days the patient will find themselves acceptable to go out in public. By three months, the patient will be able to appreciate their result, even though there will be more swelling to resolve in time. The lips will eventually become soft and natural. If fuller lips is what the patient desires, this may be the best procedure for them.
In the Hands
In the dorsum (back) of the hand, when the tendons are so visible, the skin very thin, and veins appear overly large, fat injection grafting works wonders. There is a definite and predictable change, which occurs in the skin texture. Th aging appearance of the back of the hands gives way to more youthful hands with supple skin. There was a time when the age giveaway on a patient who has been made to look twenty years younger by the deep plane face lift into the release zone, was the appearance of the hands. That problem has been effectively solved by microfat injection grafting.
Are You a Candidate?
If you are considering soft tissue enhancement using filler materials, it is important to understand that your own fat is not only the ideal material, but far superior in comparison to all other fillers on the market. Augmentation of localized defects by fat injection grafting is a highly successful procedure, and can bring lasting satisfaction to patients who choose to proceed in this direction.
Your surgeons at Fairbanks Plastic Surgery have extensive experience in the area of fat injection grafting. If this has been helpful to your understanding about fat grafting, and you wish to learn more, feel free to visit our web site at http://www.fairbanksplasticsurgery.comparison and come into our office for a consultation.
