It’s a common complaint that not only is it hard to lose fat, but it’s hard to lose it from the right places. For example, many women want to get rid of belly fat while having a round and shapely rear end.
Fat transfer procedures can help you reach this goal by removing fat from problem areas and moving them to a little more welcoming place, such as your breasts or butt. Many men also deal with excess belly fat but may look comparatively gaunt in the face or even hands.
One of the most frequent questions about fat transfer is how long someone can expect the results to last. In most cases, patients can expect long-lasting results from fat transfer for many years, particularly when combined with healthy lifestyle decisions.
What is Fat Transfer?
Also known as fat grafting or autologous fat grafting, fat transfer uses liposuction techniques to harvest fat from an unwanted area. The fat is then safely reinjected into a chosen area of the body for cosmetic enhancement. Because these procedures use a patient’s own fat, there is no chance of adverse or allergic reactions.
How Long Do Fat Transfer Results Typically Last?
Unlike other injectables, which often last anywhere from six to 12 months, fat transfer can last much longer. Cells that survive the initial injection have been shown to last multiple years.
Using standard techniques, transferred fat cells typically have a 50% to 70% survival rate. When combined with newer approaches involving platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection, fat cells can have a 90% survival rate.
Fat Transfer Procedure Overview
Fat transfer procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis. An initial consultation can help set goals and expectations for the procedure, including which areas you want to take fat from and which areas you want to enhance.
- The first phase of the procedure is harvesting the fat, which is performed using tumescent liposuction involving local anesthesia, a very small incision, and a small thin tube that suctions out the fat
- Next, the fat is processed to remove excess fluids and concentrate healthy fat cells
- The fat will then be carefully injected into the target area or areas using specialized techniques to contour and shape the area
The fat can be harvested in larger volumes, up to one to two liters, and used in multiple areas for a fraction of the cost of other fillers.
How Long Does a Fat Transfer Procedure Usually Take?
The length of the procedure can vary depending on the complexity of the fat transfer procedure, how many areas are involved, and which areas. The most straightforward procedures can take around an hour, while more complex fat transfers may require longer.
After the operation, patients will be stabilized and given detailed recovery instructions. There may be some light swelling and bruising in the affected areas. Patients may receive a prescription for pain medication and compression garments to help limit swelling.
Downtime is usually minimal, but patients will be advised to avoid strenuous activity such as working out for a couple of weeks or longer.
What are the Most Common Areas for Fat Transfer Procedures?
Areas for fat transfer can vary depending on individual patient goals. Many choose to have fat harvested from problem areas like the stomach, love handles, or thighs. Popular areas for enhancement include:
- Breasts, or Enhanced Breast Augmentation
- Buttocks, also known as a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)
- Facial Fat Transfer, with Fat Autograft Muscle Injection (FAMI)
Many patients also choose fat transfer injections to add volume to areas such as the hands, which can be early indicators of aging.
Your Experts for Long-Lasting Fat Transfer Procedures
Innovations Medical and Dr. Bill Johnson were among the very first practices in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to perform fat transfer procedures. With nearly 1,000 fat transfer procedures performed, including more than 700 BBL procedures, we are one of the most experienced fat transfer practices in all of Texas.
We perform these advanced procedures at both of our state-of-the-art centers, and use the latest techniques to ensure the highest survival rates of transferred fat for the longest-lasting results.
Contact Innovations Medical to Learn More About Fat Transfer Procedures
If you’re looking to meet your appearance goals and achieve the proportions you’ve been after, Innovations Medical is here for you. Our skilled professionals help you decide which treatment is best for you – keeping you informed and confident in the next steps. We’ve been helping our patients look and feel their best since 2005, and even our most advanced procedures are often minimally invasive.
To find out if fat transfer procedures are right for you, and to learn how Innovations Medical can improve your life, call us at (214) 643-8665 or schedule an appointment.