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Latest Trend in Plastic Surgery – Fat Grafting

Close up showing woman's left hand on the left hip holding an excess fat ready for liposuction, known as 'love handles liposuction'. It's showing popular fat harvesting area for fat grafting.

Fat grafting, also known as fat transfer, lipofilling, or autologous fat transplantation, is a cosmetic procedure that has been becoming increasingly popular. During the procedure the fat is removed from one part of the body (liposuction) and injected into another area to enhance or augment its volume and shape.

Modern liposuction has been around since the late 1980s.  Liposuction is a surgical technique were fatty tissue is removed using a suction device inserted though an access site.  But there has always been a problem – what to do with the fat that gets removed?

Recently, fat grafting has developed as a safe and effective technique to utilize the fat.   After liposuction, the fat is purified and injected into the patient for soft tissue augmentation.

Here are some areas where this technique has been used:
1. Buttock:

Known as the “Brazilian Butt Lift,” fat transfer to the buttock helps augment and provide a more rounded, projected shape. Fat grafting to the buttock is a much more common technique than buttock augmentation with implants.

2. Breasts:

Fat grafting is often used as an adjuvant to breast reconstruction to contour the superior poles of the breast. Autologous fat transplantation for cosmetic breast augmentation can be considered in a patient undergoing liposuction that is interested in mild breast augmentation but does not want implants.

3. Face:

The most common way to augment the cheeks, nasal-labial folds, or lips is with soft tissue fillers.  For patients who are happy with these results but want a more permanent solution, fat grafting to the face may be a great option.

4. Scars:

Fat grafting has been show to improve blood flow and tissue quality in traumatized skin.  For challenging scars, fat grafting could be combined with a scar revision or a internal scar lysis.  Improved skin texture and appearance could be seen in difficult scars.

5. Hands:

With time, the veins on the back of our hands become more prominent. However, fat grafting the back of the hands can restore a more youthful appearance.

What are the steps for fat transfer?
  • Step 1: Harvesting: Dr. Domanski extracts the fat from areas with excess fat, such as the abdomen, thighs, chin or buttocks, using liposuction.
  • Step 2: Purification: The surgeon process and purifies the aft to remove any impurities, fluids, and damaged fat cells.
  • Step 3: Injection: He injects the purified fat into the target area, such as the face, breasts, buttocks, or hands, to improve volume, contour, and overall appearance.
What’s the main advantage of fat transfer?

Patients value fat transfer for its natural results and because it uses their own tissue, reducing the risk of allergic reactions or rejection. Additionally, lipofilling is commonly not only in aesthetic but also reconstructive procedures.

 

If you think that fat transfer may be an option for you, we would be happy to talk to you!  Call 703-596-1660.

Dr. Domanski
Curve Accent

ABOUT DR. DOMANSKI

Focusing on natural results, Dr. Domanski believes in helping patients regain control over their bodies.

Dr. Mark Domanski is a Double-Board certified Plastic Surgeon. Dr. Domanski is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery.

He has been recognized as a “Top Doctor” by Washingtonian Magazine, Northern Virginia Magazine and DC Modern Luxury magazine. However, Dr. Domanski’s favorite accolade is his Most Compassionate Doctor award by Patient’s Choice.

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