As you age the skin loses elasticity, muscles lose stretch and tone, and fatty tissues in the face lose volume. These natural changes mean that lines, folds and wrinkles gradually become visible. Following illness or accidents, some people develop contour defects in their faces and bodies. These changes can result in patients feeling uncomfortable about their appearance.
Reasons for Fat Transfer
Fat transfer can be appropriate for patients who wish to address face or body contour defects, or who wish to add volume to particular areas without the use implants or fillers. For some patients, particularly those looking for long-term results or a subtle change in shape or volume, fat transfer or fat grafting can be an appropriate option.
At the Aesthetic Institute our surgeons sometimes combine this treatment with other procedures such as facelift, in order to achieve optimum results.
The Surgery
At the Aesthetic Institute our surgeons perform two types of fat transfer: segmental or standard. This involves taking fat from one area (often the tummy) via liposuction and implanting it into another area of the body. It is normally used to correct contour defects or to fill out lines such as those between the nose and the lips. It can also be used to fill out certain areas like the lips.
The first procedure is normally carried out in theatre as a day case. Following the surgery, a certain amount of absorption occurs by the body of the transferred fat, (about two thirds of it within 6 weeks). The rate of absorption depends on each individual patient. This means that sometimes the procedure may have to be repeated on a number of occasions to achieve the desired volume. For this reason, fat transfer is not commonly used for breast augmentation, or where significant changes in volume over large areas is needed. However, if this procedure is what you wish for, the surgeon will certainly discuss it at your consultation and indicate what results are realistically possible.
On the day of your procedure, you will arrive at the hospital fasting. Before the surgery you will meet with your surgeon again and he/she will mark the surgical sites. Depending on the size of the area being treated, local or general anaesthetic may be used. Following the surgery you will be closely monitored while you begin your recovery and the effects of the anaesthetic wear off.
After Surgery
Most of our patients who undergo fat transfer as a stand-alone procedure will go home on the same day. If it is performed as part of another procedure, a hospital stay may be required. While in hospital, you are taken care of by professionals with extensive experience of this surgical procedure. After the procedure you may need to wear a support garment, depending on the area that has been treated. On discharge from the hospital you will have been given an appointment for your first post-operative visit to the Aesthetic Institute, but patients are welcome to contact us before that if they have any concerns.
A little bruising and swelling is not unusual for a few days after the surgery. After about a week the stitches are removed at the Aesthetic Institute and most patients can return to work at this stage. Until then you should remain relaxed and well rested. After about 6 weeks the results of the transfer will be evident and repeat treatments, if required, will be scheduled.
If you have any questions about fat transfer which are not addressed here, or if you would like to book a consultation with the Consultant Plastic Surgeon to discuss the procedure, please call 01 491 5738, email info@aestheticinstitute.ie or complete our Enquiry Form.
What does it cost?
The overall cost of fat transfer surgery depends on a number of factors including how extensive the surgery will be, whether an overnight hospital stay is needed and whether the procedure is to be carried out as part of a combination procedure.
You can read more about our prices for different procedures and treatments here.
If you have any questions about fat transfer which were not addressed here, or if you would like to book a consultation with the consultant plastic surgeon to discuss treatment options for you, please call 01 491 5738, email info@aestheticinstitute.ie or complete our Enquiry Form.