Fat Grafting
By repurposing a patient’s own fatty tissue, fat grafting can help create a shapelier physique, restore lost volume, and address signs of aging. The procedure offers natural-looking enhancements and is less invasive than other body contouring treatments.
At Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, board-certified plastic surgeon Gene Sloan, MD utilizes a variety of surgical and non-surgical procedures, including fat grafting, to help patients achieve their desired appearance. He is committed to helping his patients look and feel their best, and recognizes how feeling comfortable in their skin can improve a patient’s quality of life. With fat grafting, he has experience producing satisfactory results that are capable of enhancing multiple areas of the body.
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What Is Fat Grafting?
Fat grafting, also known as fat transfer, is a cosmetic surgical procedure where fat is harvested from one part of the body through liposuction to add volume. This technique is commonly used to rejuvenate the face. Fat grafting offers a more natural alternative to injectable fillers, utilizing a patient’s own fat to achieve a softer look and feel.
Dr. Sloan performs fat grafting for:
- Facial contouring
- Anti aging
- Adjunct to facelift
- Adding fat to the breast to give some upper pole fullness after implant removal mastopexy
- Camouflage breast implant wrinkling
What Are the Benefits of Fat Grafting?
The procedure is popular for its benefit of removing unwanted fat from one area and augmenting another. Additional fat grafting advantages include:
- Natural Results – Since the treatment uses a patient’s own fat, the results typically look and feel natural.
- Dual Benefits – Fat transfer reduces fat in unwanted areas while enhancing other parts, providing body contouring and rejuvenation.
- Versatility – The procedure can be used for various purposes, such as rejuvenating the face and enhancing features like the bustline.
- Long-Lasting Effects – Although some of the transferred fat may be absorbed back into the body, a significant portion can provide long-term results.
- Minimal Scarring – The grafting procedure requires only small incisions, leading to minimal scarring compared to other surgical methods.
These attributes make fat grafting a popular choice for individuals seeking cosmetic enhancements with relatively low risk and recovery time.
Am I a Candidate for Fat Grafting?
Ideal candidates for fat grafting are individuals in relatively good health and no significant medical conditions that could impair healing. Candidates should have realistic expectations for treatment results and sufficient fat in donor sites for extraction. Patients should not smoke, as the habit can increase complications and impede healing, and be at a stable weight because fluctuations can affect the longevity of the results. Consulting with a qualified plastic surgeon like Dr. Sloan is essential to evaluate your specific circumstances and determine if fat grafting is suitable for your cosmetic or reconstructive goals.
What Does Fat Grafting Involve?
Fat grafting typically involves three main steps:
- Harvesting – Fat is extracted from a donor area (like the abdomen or thighs) using liposuction.
- Processing – The extracted fat is then purified to separate the viable fat cells from other fluids and debris.
- Injection – The purified fat is carefully injected into the target area(s) where volume or contour is desired.
The procedure is performed under general anesthesia depending on the extent of fat transfer and involves minimal incisions. Recovery varies but generally includes some swelling and bruising at both the donor and recipient sites.
How Much Does Fat Grafting Cost?
The cost of fat grafting varies widely depending on several factors, including the extent of the procedure, the areas treated, anesthesia fee, and surgeon’s fee. Additional expenses may arise if an additional fat grafting is required to achieve an optimal result. Insurance usually does not cover fat grafting if it’s performed for cosmetic reasons, so it’s important to check with your provider and discuss all costs with your surgeon during the consultation.
Once a treatment plan has been developed, a member of our team will provide you with a customized cost. We also offer financing options through the reputable third-party lenders CareCredit®, PatientFi®, and Alphaeon® Credit to help make procedural payments more manageable.
For more information about fat grafting or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Sloan, contact Aesthetic Plastic Surgery today.
