Fat Grafting

What are fat grafting procedures?

Fat grafting is a process by which fat cells are removed from one area of your body and then positioned to another. It’s a great way to increase volume in your face, breasts, buttocks, lips, arms, and the backs of your hands.

The process begins with liposuction in an area of your body where you have excess fat deposits, often the buttocks, abdomen, or upper thighs. That fat is carefully cleaned and prepared for transfer, then drawn into syringes. A local anesthetic is used in both the donor and transfer areas. 

Dr. Cabrera determines the exact placement of your fat injections to create optimal contouring in your target areas. It usually takes multiple injections to achieve the right distribution of fat. The process usually takes around one hour, depending on the volume of fat being transferred. 

Once transferred, a portion of those fat cells will “take” in their new home and then perform just like the rest of your fat cells, expanding and contracting to accommodate more or less fat. 

What role can regenerative medicine play in the fat transfer process?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a solution created from a small amount of your own blood. Once the liquid and solid components of the sample are separated, the platelets can be reintroduced to the cleared plasma, creating a powerful solution rich in growth factors. 

Platelet-rich plasma in a fibrin matrix (PRPFM) is created from PRP with the addition of calcium chloride. This preparation creates a scaffolding of proteins to give the treated area additional microscopic support and help growth factors remain in place. 

Both of these regenerative therapies are administered via injections and can help boost new cell growth and reduce inflammation. When used in conjunction with fat grafting, these treatments can improve the survival rate of transferred fat cells. 

What happens after a fat transfer?

A degree of soreness and swelling in both the donor and transfer areas is normal after fat grafting procedures. You should be back to your normal routines within a couple of weeks. 

Many men and women choose to go home the same day of their fat graftingr, but you always have the option of spending the first night in one of the recovery suites, where recovery nurses will monitor your condition. You can also elect to have a recovery nurse accompany you home for the first night to ease your transition into recovery. 

When you’re ready to learn more, book a consultation online or over the phone.