Frequently Asked Questions About Fat Transfer Surgery

A loss of volume in the face and body can make you appear older than you are. To restore the volume that has been lost over time, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Arun Rao offers fat transfer surgery in Tucson, AZ. Fat transfer treatment can be performed on the cheeks, hands, breasts, buttocks, and other areas to provide a more natural enhancement than implants or fillers. But what is a fat transfer, and is fat transfer surgery safe? Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery put together a list of our most frequently asked questions so you can learn more about this effective procedure. Call our facility today and schedule a private consultation if you're interested in learning more.

What is a fat transfer?

Women and men who want to add volume in areas that appear deflated and flat may be great candidates for an autologous fat transfer. When undergoing a fat transfer, Dr. Rao will place the patient under a form of anesthesia. Liposuction is performed with a cannula, a thin tube, to remove fat from the hips, thighs, abdomen, or another area as discussed during the consultation. After the extraction, the fat is harvested and placed in very fine syringes. The fat is then carefully injected into the targeted areas. This process is repeated until the desired smoothness is achieved.

A fat transfer to the breast is a common surgery, while others choose to add volume to their facial features, hands, or buttocks. When you first meet with Dr. Rao, we will explain how much fat is required to achieve your cosmetic goals. If a patient has a low body fat percentage, fat can be taken from several areas or supplemented with donor tissue. We can discuss all of these options and more before scheduling the fat transfer surgery. Many of our patients choose this option since it’s more natural and effective when compared with other techniques, like implants.

Is fat transfer safe?

Are you asking yourself – is fat transfer safe? Fat transfer is recommended for individuals in good physical and emotional health with local areas of fat in the donor site. It is important to have realistic expectations for improvement based on your consultation with Dr. Rao. Many physicians agree that fat grafting surgery is a safe and natural solution for face and body rejuvenation. Candidates often choose autologous fat transfer because they want to avoid the complications associated with cosmetic injectables or silicone implants. Although there are some fat transfer risks, no one is allergic to their own fatty tissue.

Keep in mind that these procedures are safest when performed by a qualified plastic surgeon. The staff at Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery does everything in our power to maximize comfort while minimizing fat transfer risks. Patients may experience some temporary numbness at the injection site. These side effects will be reviewed by Dr. Rao at the time of the consultation. Swelling and bruising are also expected during the recovery stages. Your recovery timeline is based on the areas chosen for treatment, however, patients can generally get back to their daily routines within 1 – 2 weeks in Tucson, AZ.

Is fat transfer permanent?

One of the benefits of this procedure is that it usually lasts longer than dermal fillers and other injectables. While some injections may last up to one year and require a series of treatments scheduled months apart, fat transfer surgery is a one-time procedure that is long-lasting. Although a fat transfer is not permanent, patients can expect to look and feel great for years to come.

There are some things to understand before having an autologous fat transfer surgery. One of the fat transfer risks is that it’s possible for the body to reabsorb some of the injected fat after the procedure. To compensate for this, Dr. Rao may inject slightly more fat in the needed areas. This means that during recovery, patients may feel a little fuller or some tightness for a few weeks. If you would like to touch-up the results after reabsorption, a second fat transfer can easily be performed.

Learn more about fat transfer surgery

Dr. Arun Rao is an award-winning plastic surgeon who can restore the fullness of your face and body to achieve a younger-looking appearance. When you are ready to get plumper lips, fuller breasts, or added volume in the hands, our trusted facility is ready to help. Fat transfer surgery can achieve all of these goals without cosmetic injectables or silicone implants. Learn more about fat transfer to breast surgery and other procedures by contacting the experienced staff at Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery in Tucson, AZ. Our English and Spanish speaking staff are standing by to help.