fat grafting/ fat transfer

Fat grafting/ fat transfer is a procedure that takes fat from one part of the body and uses it to fill in or smooth irregularities, add volume and sculpt defined contours to different areas on the face and body.
Excess fat is first of all removed from the patient’s body from what is known as a ‘donor area’, usually the abdomen or inner thigh. Using a limited form of liposculpture, the fat is aspirated using a small tube, or cannula, which is inserted via tiny incisions of around three to five milimilitres in length.
Once the fat is removed, it is processed using a special technique to turn it into pure liquid fatty tissue that is ready to be injected into the treatment area. Very small amounts of fat are skillfully injected into the tissues of the treatment area, the surgeon taking care to ensure even distribution so that the injected fat is surrounded by healthy tissue. This ensures the transplanted fat is supplied with oxygen and nutrients and reduces the risk of rejection and reabsorption into the body. Even in the most successful cases, you can expect around 20-30 per cent of the transplanted fat to be absorbed by the body in two to three months following the procedure; this is entirely normal and surgeons include this loss in their calculations when judging how much fat will need to be taken from the patient’s donor site in order to achieve the required results. For long lasting of best results, 2-3 session of fat transfer may be required for desired result.

• Breasts
• Can increase breast size by one to two cup sizes depending upon number of stages
• Can correct asymmetrical breasts
• Repair of scars, for example from lumpectomy or breast reconstruction surgery
• Can correct irregularities/ issues resulting from previous breast implant surgeries
• Buttocks and hips/ thighs
• Can increase size of the buttocks and make them look more shapely
• Can add volume to the hips for a more dramatic waist-to-hip ratio
• Can be used to smooth out any visible dimples, scars or other irregularities
• Face
• Adds volume to areas that have become hollow with age, such as the cheeks and eye sockets
• Can reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles and folds on the face, such as under the eye and nasolabial folds (the lines that run from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth)
• Can sculpt parts of the face to improve the aesthetic appearance, such as the cheekbones, chin and nose
• Scar repair
• Improves the texture and overall appearance of the skin
• Hands
  • Rejuvenation of the hands for an anti-aging effect

Fat grafting/ fat transfer surgery will alter your shape and overall appearance, so careful thought needs to be given prior to going ahead.

At Cocoona, we ask for you to conduct a self-evaluation to help you assess if you are one hundred per cent ready, both physically and mentally, for fat grafting/ fat transfer surgery. You should ask yourself the following questions:

• Have I exhausted all the non-surgical options, such as diet and exercise, to improve my shape?
• Am I clear about which problem areas can be treated with fat grafting/ fat transfer and to what extent?
• Do I have realistic expectations about what fat grafting/ fat transfer can achieve?
• Do I fully understand the surgical procedures involved, how long it will take and what I need to do afterwards to promote healing and recovery?

Once you have clarity on the above, the next step is to find the right surgeon and clinic. These are of paramount importance.

You need a surgeon who is experienced in performing fat grafting/ fat transfer surgeries, has a sound reputation and proven results. You should also look for a surgeon who will give you honest and realistic advice about what you can and can’t achieve with this procedure.

A good clinic is one that has an experienced and highly skilled surgical team, licensed aestheticist(s), well trained nursing staff, an excellent reputation, and a low complication rate. Of course, the clinic also needs to be licensed with the relevant authorities for the country or region it is situated in. At Cocoona, we tick all these boxes.

The anesthetic protocol required for fat grafting/ fat transfer will vary from patient to patient depending on the volume of fat to be extracted from the donor area. Small volumes of fat can be extracted using only local anesthetic. Larger volumes, however, may require twilight anesthesia or, in rare cases, even general anesthesia.

Your surgeon will be able to advise further in line with your individual case.

Men or women who:

• Want to rejuvenate or correct specific parts of the body but are keen to avoid more invasive surgical alternatives, such as implants
• Are in good health with sufficient fat on their body available for transfer to the treatment site or sites
• Have realistic expectations about the results possible from the procedure
• Are prepared that more than one session may be required to achieve optimal results
• Have undergone a lumpectomy or partial mastectomy, and want to correct the appearance of the breast or breasts afterwards
• Have undergone a previous breast or chest implant procedure and have experienced a rupture or dimpling, or want to minimize the appearance of any evident implant contours for a more natural look

The body will initially absorb around 20 to 50 per cent of the fat injected into the treatment area. After this initial volume of fat has been absorbed the results are considered to be permanent.

For an accurate cost assessment, you will need to book an initial consultation with our surgeon. As with almost any aesthetic procedure, the cost will depend on the following factors:

Procedures – The size and location of the area or areas to be treated.

Surgeon’s Expertise – The surgeon’s fee is based on their experience. Obviously, a reputable surgeon who is established and has a successful track record will charge higher fees.

Clinic/ Hospital – Fees also depend upon the quality of the facility chosen for the operation.

Geographic Area – Depending on the city/ area you decide to have the surgery in, the cost is likely be different: clinics in larger metropolitan cities tend to cost more. You should bear in mind that the expertise of your consultant and your comfort factor with him or her should be one the most important considerations, much more so than the cost of the procedure. A cheap procedure could turn out to be an expensive proposition in the long run.

Once you are clear about your reasons for having a fat grafting/ fat transfer procedure and have decided to proceed, call us to fix an appointment.

On the appointed day, the expert surgeon who will perform the surgery will consult with you. During the consultation, you should expect the following:

• Discussion about why you have opted for fat grafting/ fat transfer and what your goals are for the procedure
• Understanding your medical history
• Evaluating your health status
• The different options available for fat grafting/ fat transfer
• An examination of the areas to be treated, measurements (if relevant) and potentially, photography to record what the area or areas look like prior to the procedure being undertaken
• Explanation of the options, steps involved, future treatment, risks, and potential complications, if any

Feeling apprehensive before the surgery takes place is entirely normal. Be sure to discuss any fears or concerns you have with your surgeon and don’t hesitate to ask any questions related to the results you hope to achieve.

Being well informed is being well prepared. Apart from checking that your clinic and doctors have the necessary skills, knowledge and experience, here are some more areas that you should explore:

• How many years of experience do you have as a Plastic Surgeon?
• How many fat grafting/ fat transfer procedures have you done?
• Where will the surgery be conducted?
• Is the clinic prepared and certified to undertake fat grafting/ fat transfer procedures?
• What are the most common complications experienced by your patients? And how were they handled?
• Do you have a “before” and “after” photo album to show results of fat grafting/ fat transfer procedures?
• Am I a good candidate for fat grafting/ fat transfer?
• What can I expect after the surgery?
• What precautions would I need to take before and after the surgery?
• How many weeks will I take to recover fully?
• What should I do for a quick recovery?
• Will the shape and appearance of the area(s) to be treated change over time? If yes, how?
• What are the risks involved?
• What treatment option/ techniques will be used for me?

Please feel free to add any more questions that you wish to this list before your consultation.

After your initial consultation, you will need to make the final decision regarding your surgeon. Never choose your surgeon simply based on how much the treatment will cost. Instead, focus on the following:

License & certification – is the surgeon licensed and certified to conduct fat grafting/ fat transfer procedures by a reputable body?

Expertise & experience – the number of years of experience/ how many fat grafting/ fat transfer procedures the surgeon has performed previously

Before/ after pictures – evidencing their capability of past performance

Clarity on possible results – whether they are providing you with realistic expectations and honest feedback

Professionalism & comfort factor – if you feel comfortable with the professionalism and manners of a surgeon, and feel you can trust him/her with your face and body, then that’s the surgeon you should consider

Safety philosophy – if the surgeon is ready to put you at risk by recommending or agreeing to perform multiple unrelated surgeries and/or procedures on the same day or within a short period of time, you should refuse to proceed and go elsewhere.

Patient testimonials & reviews – A good reputation and a large number of positive patient testimonials and reviews on independent forums should be an important consideration in your process of choosing the right surgeon

Keep in mind that there are hidden costs in the long term and greater risks (including threat to life), associated with a surgery where costs, safety and skills are compromised. Always be wary of a plastic surgeon or clinic offering very low costs and/ or miraculous results.

After your initial consultation with the surgeon, once you are satisfied with the outcome of the ensuing discussions and have confirmed that you will go ahead with your chosen consultant, a date will be fixed for the procedure.

Here are some of the important steps that you must take before the procedure:

• Discuss all medication and vitamins that you regularly use with your consultant to see if you should stop taking them before surgery and, if so, for how long. For example, any medications and vitamins that interfere with your body’s blood clotting ability, such as Vitamin E, will need to be stopped completely prior to surgery.
• Smokers should quit two months prior to surgery; smoking interferes with the efficiency of blood flow to the skin which may have an impact on achieving optimal results and increase the risk of complications.
• You should be in the best possible health and at a stable weight; ensuring that you follow a healthy, balanced diet prior to surgery will help you to be in optimal physical condition to help promote the best outcome

Our surgeon and patient counselor will guide you thoroughly about what you need to do so that you are completely at ease and ready for surgery and beyond.

• The areas treated will be swollen and feel tender immediately following the procedure. A cold pack and compress should be used to minimize the swelling, which will start to subside after three days. Depending on which parts of your body have been treated, you may also need to wear a compression garment.
• Most patients will be allowed to go home on the same day that the surgery takes place.
• You can expect to not feel confident or comfortable enough to return to work or socialize for at least one week afterward. After the first week any bruising should have faded substantially but the swelling will still be apparent for a couple of weeks.
• You should be prepared for the results to look somewhat exaggerated for up to two or three months following the procedure. This is due to the surgeon needing to inject more fat than is required during the procedure to account for an average of 20 to 30 percent of the transplanted fat cells not surviving; these will be absorbed and naturally excreted by the body over a period of a few months.
• The final result will be assessed by the surgeon after three months. A second session may be required for optimal results.