Fat Grafting

Fat Grafting Newcastle

Fat grafting, also known as fat transfer, is a cosmetic procedure that addresses volume and contours using your body’s own fat.

This technique involves harvesting excess fat from areas such as the abdomen, thighs, or flanks and strategically re-injecting it into areas that may lack volume or definition, such as the face, breasts, buttocks, or hands

Is Fat Grafting Right For Me?

Fat grafting is an excellent option for individuals looking to address volume or contour specific areas using their own natural fat. Ideal candidates:

  • Have sufficient fat deposits for harvesting.
  • Prefer a natural alternative to synthetic fillers or implants.
  • Are in good overall health with a stable weight.
  • Have realistic expectations about the procedure and results.
  • Are non-smokers or committed to quitting before and after surgery to support optimal healing.

Benefits of Fat Grafting

A Natural Alternative: Fat transfer provides an option for restoring volume using your own body’s fat instead of synthetic fillers.

  • Dual Benefit: Addresses desired areas while simultaneously removing unwanted fat from others.
  • Long-Lasting Results: Once the transferred fat establishes a blood supply, the effects can be enduring.

Considerations and Limitations

  • Volume Improvement: Not all harvested fat survives the transfer process, so some volume loss is expected. Dr. Mistry carefully plans for this to achieve optimal results.
  • Individualised Outcomes: Results vary based on factors such as overall health, skin elasticity, and the treatment area.
  • Gradual Refinement: Fat grafting is best for subtle volume changes rather than significant augmentation. In some cases, multiple sessions may be needed to reach the desired outcome.

The Process

  • Step 1: Fat Harvesting Liposuction is performed to extract fat from donor areas such as the abdomen, thighs, or flanks, where excess fat is available.
  • Step 2: Fat Purification The harvested fat is carefully processed and purified to retain only healthy, viable fat cells for optimal results.
  • Step 3: Fat Injection Using fine cannulas, the purified fat is strategically injected into the target areas to address volume and achieve optimal contours.

Applications of Fat Grafting

  • Facial Fat Grafting: Restores lost volume in areas like the cheeks, temples, and under-eye hollows.
  • Breast Augmentation: Addresses breast shape and volume, offering an alternative for subtle augmentation or correcting asymmetry.
  • Buttock Augmentation: Improves the size and contour of the buttocks (commonly known as a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL).

The Patient Journey

Initial Consultation

Your journey begins with a consultation with Dr. Mistry. During this session, he will:

  • Assess your donor and target areas.
  • Discuss your aesthetic goals and expectations.
  • Evaluate your overall health and medical history to determine if fat grafting is suitable for you.

Dr. Mistry will also explain the procedure in detail, including its benefits, potential risks, and expected outcomes.

Pre-Operative Planning

Once you decide to proceed, Dr. Mistry will create a customised treatment plan tailored to your needs. This plan will identify the donor areas for fat harvesting and the target areas for fat transfer. Any necessary preoperative tests will also be arranged at this stage.

Fat Grafting Procedure Overview

  • Anaesthesia: Depending on the extent of the procedure, fat grafting is performed under general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia with sedation.
  • Fat Harvesting: Dr. Mistry employs minimally invasive liposuction techniques to extract fat from donor areas such as the abdomen, thighs, or flanks.
  • Fat Purification: The harvested fat is carefully processed and purified to isolate healthy, viable fat cells for transfer.
  • Fat Injection: Using fine cannulas, Dr. Mistry strategically injects the purified fat into the target areas to address volume and contour.

Post-Operative Care

After your fat grafting procedure, Dr. Mistry and his team will provide detailed postoperative care instructions to support optimal healing and results. Key guidelines include:

  • Compression Garments: Wear compression garments on the donor site to minimise swelling and support healing.
  • Activity Restrictions: Avoid strenuous activities to allow the transferred fat to stabilise and improve retention.
  • Pain Management: Manage any discomfort with prescribed medications as directed.
  • Follow-Up Appointments: Regular check-ups with Dr. Mistry will be scheduled to monitor your recovery and assess your results.
  • Following these guidelines will help ensure a smooth healing process and long-lasting outcomes.

Recovery and Results

Swelling & Bruising: Mild swelling and bruising are common and typically subside within a few weeks.

  • Final Results: Full results become visible within three to six months, once the transferred fat establishes a blood supply.
  • Fat Retention: Some fat may be naturally reabsorbed by the body, but Dr. Mistry carefully accounts for this during the procedure to achieve optimal volume retention.
  • Long-Lasting Effects: The results of fat grafting are long-lasting, especially when maintained with a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle.

Possible Risks and Complications

Like any surgical procedure, fat grafting carries potential risks and complications.

Specific Risks:

  • Fat Necrosis: Some transferred fat may not survive, forming lumps or firm nodules in the treated area.
  • Fat Resorption: A portion of the grafted fat may be reabsorbed over time, potentially requiring touch-up procedures for optimal results.
  • Oil Cysts: Small pockets of liquefied fat may develop, leading to minor irregularities under the skin.
  • Over- or Under-Correction: Precise volume restoration can be challenging, sometimes resulting in asymmetry or less-than-expected fullness.
  • Microcalcifications: Small calcium deposits may form in the treated area, particularly in fat grafting to the breasts, and could appear on imaging tests.

Common Risks and Complications:

  • Swelling & Bruising: Expected in both donor and target areas, typically subsiding within a few weeks.
  • Infection: Rare but possible at the donor or recipient sites; minimised through strict surgical protocols.
  • Scarring: Small scars may develop at liposuction and injection sites but are generally minimal and fade over time.
  • Pain or Discomfort: Temporary soreness, usually well-managed with prescribed medications.
  • Changes in Sensation: Some patients may experience temporary or permanent numbness, tingling, or altered sensitivity.
  • Asymmetry: While every effort is made to achieve balance, slight differences between treated areas may occur.

Dr. Mistry will thoroughly explain these risks during your consultation and take every precaution to minimise complications.

Highlights from 360 High Def Lipo Course with Dr Jordi Mir in Barcelona

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fat Grafting, and how does it work?

Fat grafting, or fat transfer, is a procedure that removes fat from areas like the abdomen, thighs, or flanks using liposuction. The harvested fat is then purified and strategically re-injected to restore volume and address contours in areas such as the face, breasts, or buttocks. This technique utilises your body’s natural fat to achieve your aesthetic goals.

How long do the results of Fat Grafting last?

The results of fat grafting are generally long-lasting, particularly when combined with a stable weight and healthy lifestyle. However, some of the transferred fat may be reabsorbed by the body over time. Dr. Mistry accounts for this during the procedure by overfilling the target area to ensure the final outcome meets your aesthetic goals. Full results typically become visible after three to six months.

Are there any risks or complications associated with Fat Grafting?

As with any surgical procedure, fat grafting carries some risks, including infection, bruising, swelling, and potential reabsorption of the transferred fat. There is also a small risk of irregularities in the treated area or changes in skin sensation. Dr. Mistry will explain these risks during your consultation and take every precaution to minimise complications.

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Please Note: Information provided on Dr Mistry’s website is provided as a basic guide, it does not constitute a diagnosis and should not be taken as medical advice. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.

A Newcastle Surgeon That Cares

“I care because it’s my job as a surgeon, as a plastic surgeon, to do the appropriate thing and to give you a good outcome. I want to leave knowing that I can tell a patient, hand on heart, that I did the very best I could and that I looked after them, so when I see them post op later that day or the next morning, that they feel they were in good hands.”

– Dr Yezdi Mistry

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