Fat grafting is the surgical transfer of your own fat from an area of the body where it is unwanted, to another area where it can be of greater aesthetic benefit. It is always performed subsequent to liposuction; the surgical technique we use to suction away excess fat deposits. In the right candidate, this fat can then be reserved and injected into another area for a natural-looking enhancement. We can perform fat grafting alone or in combination with other surgeries, such as a breast lift or facelift.
REAL PATIENT Results
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Who is a good candidate for fat grafting?
Fat grafting requires a surplus of fat that can be removed and transferred, and may not be appropriate for very slim patients—your surgeon can assess this during your consultation. Ideal candidates will have both an appropriate donor site, as well as an area that would benefit from increased volume such as the breasts or buttocks. Fat grafting can also be used to fill in depressions or to enhance a youthful appearance, to counteract the facial volume loss that occurs naturally with age. You should be in good overall health before pursuing cosmetic surgery.
What will my fat grafting surgery be like?
Fat grafting is performed under general anesthesia or monitored sedation in our fully accredited in-house operating facility. The procedure can take 1-3 hours depending on your personal treatment plan. The incisions used for the initial liposuction are small, less than a centimetre in length, and the fat is then placed via injection. Following surgery, our attentive medical team will monitor your initial recovery in the calm, comfortable setting of our in-house recovery room.
How long is the recovery from fat grafting?
Our dedicated nurses will instruct you and your caregiver on postoperative care and management before leaving our clinic. You may be discharged with a supportive garment in place. Our nurses will see you in-clinic around 10-12 days after surgery and subsequently as needed to support your recovery journey. Mild to moderate bruising, swelling, and discomfort is normal after fat grafting. You may notice a small amount of drainage from your incisions. You’ll be able to remove your dressings and shower after 48 hours.
Light activity like walking is encouraged while you are healing, but you must refrain from strenuous physical activity (elevating your heart rate) for approximately 3-4 weeks. Most patients return to physical jobs and start to reincorporate physical activity around four weeks post-op and gradually work up to their normal activity level. Supportive garments must be worn for at least six weeks. Direct pressure, compression, and ice to fat grafting sites should all be avoided for the first six weeks after surgery.
As with any surgery, the healing process can vary from patient to patient and your final results will depend on many individual factors. It is important to be patient with your body and allow yourself time to rest and recuperate.
Your Questions Answered
We strive to ensure our patients are thoroughly informed and equipped with the resources they need to make the best decision for themselves. Your consultation will include a discussion of your goals, your health history, education on your procedure(s) of interest, and a detailed explanation of potential benefits, risks, and complications. We will review the nature of fat grafting survival, and the potential need for multiple procedures to achieve optimal results. Your surgeon will also perform a full exam of the proposed surgical area. For more information, you can also review our guide to the surgical process from consultation to recovery.
Prior to booking, you should ensure you have a responsible adult available to care for and assist you after surgery. This includes preparing meals, caring for your pets or children, cleaning, and assisting with postoperative care.
As with any procedure, post-operative complications after fat grafting are rare but possible. These may include bleeding (hematoma), blood clots (PE or DVT), infection, asymmetry, contour abnormalities/dimpling, delayed healing, loss of fat graft and/or inability to predict percentage of fat graft survival, and/or unsatisfactory scarring. Our skilled surgical team prioritizes your safety and meticulously works to minimize these risks. You may experience altered sensations such as numbness or tingling for several weeks or months, which are normal and should resolve with time.
