What Are The Risks Of A Surgical Fat Transfer?

The popularity of cosmetic surgery is at an all-time high, and with the rising trend of living an “all-natural” lifestyle, many men and women are beginning to seek alternatives to traditional plastic surgery that offer the same transformative benefits without the use of synthetic products or foreign bodies. One of the most widely used cosmetic procedures that offers patients the ability to achieve stunning, long-lasting results without the need for implants and other synthetic materials is fat transfer. Also known as fat grafting, this innovative technique has a number of compelling applications and exciting possibilities. However, like any surgical procedure, there are risk factors and potential side effects that patients should be aware of when considering a fat transfer procedure.

Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Arun Rao and the highly experienced team at Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery are committed to providing the most advanced, cutting-edge procedures and treatments to help Tucson, AZ patients realize their ultimate cosmetic goals in the safest way possible. If you have questions about fat transfer risks, use this valuable information from Dr. Rao to understand more about the procedure and whether or not it is right for you.

What is a fat transfer?

Surgical fat transfer, also known as fat grafting, is a surprisingly simple yet highly advanced technique that involves the extraction of fat cells from one area of a patient’s body for transfer to another area, primarily for the purpose of restoring lost volume or augmenting the treatment site. Through the use of fat grafting, patients can avoid the need for synthetic materials, implants, foreign bodies, and other materials. Common fat transfer procedures include:

• Fat transfer to buttocks (Brazilian butt lift)
• Fat transfer to the breast
• Facial fat grafting

With the extreme level of precision that Dr. Rao can achieve through advanced fat transfer techniques, even the smallest areas can be treated. For example, many patients utilize fat grafting to enhance the appearance of their hands, which is a common area for volume loss due to aging.

Is fat transfer safe?

As with any surgery, it is completely understandable for patients to have questions about the potential risks or side effects of fat grafting. One of the most well-known advantages of fat grafting is that it is inherently a very low-risk procedure. This is primarily due to the fact that the patient’s own native fat is used for augmentation, rather than a synthetic material or artificial implant. This significantly reduces the risk of an allergic reaction, rejection, and other complications that are present with other cosmetic procedures.

However, it is important for patients to have realistic expectations about fat transfer surgery and understand that there are some risks associated with the procedure, including:

• Anesthesia-related complication
• Infection
• Hematoma
• Blood clot
• Dissatisfaction with results
• Fat necrosis

During your initial consultation and preoperative appointments, Dr. Rao will discuss potential side effects or complications of fat grafting, as with any procedure, and ensure that you are comfortable and confident in your decision to move forward with surgery. In addition, Dr. Rao can explain alternative procedures that may be better suited to your particular needs and goals.

Should I get fat transfer or implants?

Whether you are interested in restoring lost breast volume after pregnancy or want a more curvy butt, the options may seem confusing and overwhelming. There is no right or wrong answer to whether implants or fat grafting is best, and the decision. ultimately, depends on the patient’s personal preference and the advice of the surgeon. Some important things to consider when choosing between breast or butt implants and fat transfer include the nature of the concern, the severity of the complaint, and the patient’s personal goals. For instance, women hoping for a dramatic breast size increase may benefit more by the use of breast implants, as there is a limit to the amount of fat that can be harvested for a fat transfer breast augmentation.

Another consideration when it comes to fat grafting is the amount of excess fat the patient has available for harvesting. Men and women who are notably thin or have a particularly low body fat percentage may, unfortunately, not be candidates for fat transfer surgery. However, implants or injectable fillers can certainly be a potential alternative.

Get bigger breasts or a rounder butt with fat transfer in Tucson, AZ

If you have been trying to plump up your backside in the gym without much progress, or if you’re interested in options for breast augmentation without implants, we invite you to call our friendly, knowledgeable, and bilingual team at Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery today to schedule your private consultation in Tucson, AZ with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Arun Rao to learn more about the life-changing benefits of fat transfer surgery.