Stanley Loo Plastic SurgeonStanley Loo Plastic SurgeonFat transfer, also known as fat grafting or autologous fat transfer, is a technique in which fat is removed from one part of the body and transferred to another area where additional volume may be desired.
Using your own tissue can be an option when restoring or improving volume in selected areas.
The current practice describes fat grafting as a technique for correcting volume deficiencies and contour irregularities and notes that not all transferred fat necessarily survives.
How Does Fat Transfer Work?
Fat transfer generally involves two stages.
First, fat is harvested from an area where there is sufficient donor fat.
Second, the harvested fat is processed and transferred into the area being treated.
The precise technique depends on the treatment area, the amount of fat available and the desired correction.
Why Use Your Own Fat?
One potential advantage of fat transfer is that the transferred tissue comes from your own body rather than being a manufactured injectable filler.
Fat transfer can therefore be considered for selected patients who want volume restoration using their own tissue.
However, it is important to understand that fat transfer is a surgical procedure and is not risk-free.
What Areas Can Be Treated?
Fat grafting may be considered for selected areas where additional volume or contour correction is appropriate.
The treatment plan depends on your anatomy and the amount of donor fat available.
Not every patient has sufficient donor tissue, and not every area is suitable for fat transfer.
How Long Does Fat Transfer Last?
One of the important limitations of fat grafting is that some of the transferred fat may not survive.
The current practice specifically notes that not all transferred fat survives and that some patients may require more than one procedure.
This means that the final result cannot be predicted simply from the amount of fat initially transferred.
Who May Be Suitable?
Suitability depends on:
Overall health
Available donor fat
Treatment area
Skin and tissue characteristics
Desired correction
Expectations
A consultation is required before surgery.
Fat Transfer Surgery
The current practice states that fat transfer may be performed under general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia for smaller procedures and that procedures may be undertaken at Auckland Plastic Surgery Group, Kakariki Hospital or Ormiston Hospital depending on the circumstances.
Your surgeon will explain the proposed procedure, anaesthesia and recovery during consultation.
Recovery
Recovery varies according to both the donor area and the recipient area.
You may experience swelling and bruising in both areas.
Follow-up appointments are important because the tissues continue to change during the healing period.
Risks and Limitations
Potential complications can include bleeding, infection, swelling, contour irregularity, asymmetry, changes in sensation and incomplete retention of transferred fat.
Further treatment may sometimes be necessary.
A detailed consultation is essential before deciding whether fat grafting is appropriate.
What is fat transfer?
Fat transfer removes fat from one area of the body and transfers it to another area to restore volume or improve contour.
Is fat transfer permanent?
Not necessarily. Some transferred fat may not survive, and the current practice notes that additional procedures may sometimes be required.
Where does the fat come from?
Fat is harvested from another area of your own body where there is sufficient donor tissue.
Is fat transfer safer than injectable fillers?
Fat transfer and injectable fillers are different treatments with different indications and risks. Your surgeon can explain which option is appropriate for you.
How many procedures will I need?
Some patients achieve their desired correction with one procedure, while others may require further treatment because not all transferred fat survives.
Book a Fat Transfer Consultation
Fat grafting should be planned according to your anatomy rather than a standard treatment formula.
A consultation with Stanley Loo allows your donor areas, recipient area and treatment objectives to be assessed.