Fat Transfer

Fat transfer is an increasingly popular method of rejuvenating facial and body contours. Also known as autologous fat transfer or fat grafting, this minimally-invasive technique uses your natural fat to augment, reshape or restore an area of your body. 

With a fat transfer procedure, there is no need for an implant or an injectable filler. The material is 100% organic, resulting in natural and long-lasting results without the risks associated with using foreign materials in the body.

Dr. Wilson DuMornay, founder of Broward ENT & Aesthetics, offers this approach as part of his commitment to staying at the leading edge of developments in aesthetic medicine. If you have questions about fat transfer in Fort Lauderdale, or are ready to get started, please get in touch.

How Does Fat Transfer Work?

Many of us would jump at the chance to move fat from one area of our body to another. Using this technique, that’s exactly what we can do.

Excess fat cells are harvested from one or more areas of the body using liposuction. Then, the fat is purified so only the most viable material remains for reintroduction into the body. In the final step, the prepared fat is injected into a part of the body targeted for enhancement. A portion of the fat “takes” in the new area and provides lasting volume improvement. 

Fat transfer procedures deliver double the results. One area of the body is augmented, while another area is reduced and shaped. This is a more natural, and sometimes less invasive, alternative to procedures that would otherwise be done with artificial implants or dermal fillers.

What Are the Benefits of a Fat Transfer Procedure?

Patients are falling in love with fat transfer for a variety of reasons:

• Minimally invasive procedure
• No synthetic material used
• No chance of allergic reaction
• Results look and feel natural
• No side effects of implants
• No prominent scarring
• No need for frequent maintenance
• Two procedures in one

What Types of Liposuction Are Used for Fat Transfer?

At Broward ENT & Aesthetics, Dr. DuMornay offers two types of liposuction.

Power-Assisted Liposuction

Power-assisted liposuction (PAL) is a more efficient technique for removing fat than traditional liposuction. The power-assisted system includes a vibrating cannula that gently shakes excess fat loose and suctions it away in one step. The vibration also helps the cannula slide through the fatty tissue with minimal force. These features give the surgeon more control and precision and help minimize the patient’s recovery time.

VASER Liposuction

VASER liposuction uses ultrasound technology to break down fatty tissue, giving it a liquid consistency that can be suctioned away with ease. Compared to traditional liposuction, VASER offers a gentler procedure, less swelling and bruising, and reduced downtime. This is a very precise method of body sculpting used to perform high-definition liposuction, which creates the appearance of muscle definition in the treated area.

What Are Common Fat Transfer Treatment Areas?

Fat can be used to reshape nearly any area of the body that could benefit from extra volume. The following three areas are the most commonly chosen for fat transfer: the breasts, face and buttocks.

Fat Transfer for Breast Augmentation

A fat transfer breast augmentation allows patients to enhance their breasts without the need for implants. While the procedure cannot increase breast size as significantly as implants, it is a popular option for women who desire very authentic looking and feeling results or who are concerned about having foreign material in their body. 

Fat transfer can also be used together with implants to camouflage the transition between natural tissue and implant. This creates a softer look and feel and can help correct irregularities in contour and shape.

Fat Transfer for Face

Loss of underlying fat is one of the primary causes of facial aging. Through fat transfer, volume can be restored to smooth out deep creases like nasolabial folds. Facial fat transfer can also enhance the volume of thinning lips or recontour areas like the cheeks and chin. This technique can complement a facelift, which surgically lifts drooping tissues and restores skin tautness.

Because less fat is needed for transfer to the face than for transfer to the breasts or buttocks, more people are candidates for this procedure. A significant amount of fat is not necessary to produce an impactful result.

Fat Transfer for Buttocks

Even if you work hard to stay in shape, the effects of diet and exercise may fall short of expectations. Fat transfer in the buttocks, popularly known as a Brazilian Butt Lift, achieves a rounder, shapelier rear without the need for synthetic implants. This form of augmentation has seen a tremendous surge in popularity in recent years.

When fat transfer is used for buttocks augmentation, it has a lower rate of infection, seroma and bleeding compared to gluteal implants, and no risk of capsular contracture or implant migration. Furthermore, fat transfer can enhance the visual impact of the augmentation by simultaneously flattening the abdomen and whittling the waist.

What Are Common Liposuction Sites?

Nearly any area with excess fat can be a donor site. Common areas include:

• Arms 
• Back 
• Flanks
• Abdomen 
• Hips
• Buttocks
• Inner and outer thighs 

Dr. DuMornay will work with you to determine your best donor locations at the time of your consultation.

What Happens During a Fat Transfer Procedure?

Liposuction and fat transfer are outpatient procedures performed under general anesthesia.

First, Dr. DuMornay uses liposuction to harvest fat from the donor site determined at the time of your consultation. He may use two or more different locations to procure an adequate amount of fat. The incisions will be small and discreet, so the resulting scars will be barely noticeable.

When enough fat is collected, Dr. DuMornay uses a centrifuge to “clean” it. The centrifuge separates the usable fat from undesirable components. The purified material is then placed into syringes for injection.

In the final step of the procedure, Dr. DuMornay injects small amounts of fat at varying depths into the area chosen for augmentation. His technique ensures that the maximum amount of fat will survive in its new location. Because some of the injected fat will be processed out of your body, he may initially overinject so you end up with your desired results.

What Should I Expect From Liposuction and Fat Transfer Recovery?

The injection areas and the donor areas will be swollen, tender and bruised. The swelling will gradually subside after a few days. Bruises may be visible for longer but can be concealed with makeup. Many patients feel confident resuming a normal social life after about a week to ten days. For more extensive procedures, waiting up to two weeks may be preferred.

Dr. DuMornay’s specific instructions for your recovery will depend on where the fat is transferred. Follow these instructions closely to ensure the smoothest recovery and the best results.

When Will I See Results?

It takes three months for the final result of a fat transfer procedure to emerge. Though you may have a decent idea of what your results will look like before that point, keep in mind that some fat will not survive the transfer. Your results may look exaggerated at first and then settle into a more natural appearance.

If too much fat is lost in the three to six months post-procedure, a second fat transfer can be done to achieve your desired look. Dr. DuMornay will check in with you during follow-up visits to make sure you are satisfied with your results.

Is Fat Transfer Permanent?

Results last for years after a fat transfer procedure. While some of the transferred fat is reabsorbed, the fat that remains is essentially permanent.

If you gain or lose weight, the transferred fat will respond normally and you could see changes in your body contour. Maintaining a stable weight and healthy lifestyle will allow you to enjoy your results indefinitely.

Am I a Good Candidate for a Fat Transfer Procedure?

The ideal candidate for fat transfer is a healthy adult with reasonable expectations seeking to add volume to the face or body. 

An important criterion for fat transfer is the amount of excess fat on your body. You must have sufficient fat deposits to make the procedure effective. Slim patients and patients desiring the most dramatic change possible should be prepared to undergo more than one procedure if necessary to harvest enough fat to meet their goals. 

Very slim patients may not be candidates for fat transfer. If this technique cannot give you the outcome you want, Dr. DuMornay can discuss alternative options.

CONTACT BROWARD ENT & AESTHETICS

Whatever your body goals, Dr. DuMornay will be more than happy to work with you to determine the best procedure to help you meet them. He is a dedicated surgeon who combines an artistic perspective with attentive care and nearly 20 years of professional experience. Together with his staff, Dr. DuMornay brings the hallmarks of a world-class plastic surgery clinic to Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Contact Broward ENT & Aesthetics below or at (954) 533-9822 to get started.