Taking unwanted fat from certain areas and using it to enhance other parts of the body sounds like a great idea, right? Aesthetic procedures have come a long way in the last decade, and fat grafting or transfer is one of them. For patients who want to enhance their breasts without implants, have a rounder, shapelier bottom, or even smooth out wrinkles on their face, a fat transfer is an extremely versatile option for many patients’ needs. So, what exactly is this fat removal surgery?
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Arun Rao and his experienced team at Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery in Tucson, AZ are excited to offer this innovative cosmetic procedure. Women and men who want to add volume or smoothness in areas that look deflated or wrinkled can consider a fat transfer. Here is a more in-depth look at this excellent option for a more natural enhancement and how this body contouring procedure works.
What is a fat transfer?
A fat transfer is a customizable treatment that uses liposuction to remove unwanted fat from one area to augment or improve another part of the body. It is a safe, long-lasting cosmetic procedure for a more natural approach to body contouring. Dr. Rao uses his expert skillset and experience to predetermine the right donor locations for the fat grafting process and give Tucson, AZ patients optimal aesthetic results. It is common to harvest fat extracted with liposuction from the following areas:
- Abdomen
- Hips or flank
- Thighs and above the knees
- Back
What does fat transfer involve?
When undergoing this type of procedure, patients are placed under anesthesia (local or general), or a topical numbing method is used, depending on how much fat is being removed and the target location. It involves three stages. First, Dr. Rao uses a cannula, or thin tube, for liposuction to precisely remove unwanted fat. Following extraction, the harvested fat is processed into usable injections and placed in syringes. Then, small amounts of injected fat are used to contour or enhance the target area.
It can take up to six months to see the full results, as the body will reabsorb some of the injected fat. Patients will experience bruising and swelling, and even, possibly, temporary numbness in the targeted area. Small liposuction incision scars may be visible but will begin to fade or become closer to your skin color in the months following the fat transfer.
How does this natural enhancement work?
Dr. Rao will carefully contour and sculpt the donor area with liposuction, leaving patients looking more fit and slim. The extracted fat is then processed and purified to be utilized for the augmentation stage of the treatment. He will then inject this healthy fat into the target area with precision while slowly massaging the fat deposits into the proper place. Dr. Rao will ensure each injection contours a patient’s body to give them optimal results. This procedure has a low-risk for rejection and allows a patient to use their fat cells to naturally augment a body part or address the signs of aging skin, such as fine lines or wrinkles. One of the most critical aspects of this type of cosmetic procedure is, does a patient have enough fat to transfer?
Am I the right candidate for this fat removal surgery?
Potential patients will need to have an adequate amount of fat in donor locations for Dr. Rao to harvest enough healthy cells for the augmentation step of the procedure. Tucson, AZ women or men who lack excess fat or are very thin may not qualify for this type of cosmetic enhancement. He will assess the amount of fat needed with liposuction during an initial one-on-one consultation. As with any plastic surgery, patients will also need to be healthy, non-smoking adults with no pre-existing medical conditions. If an individual is not an ideal candidate for this fat removal surgery, then Dr. Rao will make suggestions and discuss other options to help his Tucson, AZ patients achieve their aesthetic goals.
A fat transfer is one of the most natural ways to rejuvenate your face and body. It can take your body to the next level while leaving minimal to no scarring. It is a two-in-one treatment that contours more than one area while providing natural, soft, and dramatic results. If you are interested in learning more about this body contouring procedure, we invite you to call Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery and schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Arun Rao. Now that you know what it can do, the first step is to call today to make your appointment our Tucson, AZ office.
Tags
* All information subject to change. Images may contain models. Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary.
