What is fat transfer?
Fat transfer, fat grafting or autologous fat grafting is a great way to non-surgically rejuvenate areas of the body that require more volume such as the face, hands, buttocks and dimpling or indentations from previous liposuction surgeries. It is essentially taking fat from one area on the body and transferring it to another area. The best way to harvest the fat for fat transfer is when it is being done in conjunction with liposuction.
Fat transfer method
During liposuction, the fat that has been removed is separated, centrifuged for purification and then re-injected back into various places on a patient's body and face.
Typical areas include nasal labial folds, lower eyelid tear troughs and temples, as well as dimpling and indentations for revision liposuction or adding volume to aging hands. In the long run, fat transfer can save a patient thousands of dollars that they would normally spend on fillers.
Among the most common donor sites are the thighs and stomach, so fat transfer has the added benefit of slimming and contouring these typically troublesome areas. Because the fat is coming from a patient's own body, it is very rare that a client experiences an allergic reaction to the fat transfer process.
Because only 40-60% of the transplanted fat will be absorbed, the doctor will most likely take extra fat from the donor sites and add it to the new area of the body. This may result in a slight feeling of being bloated, and for this reason the client will need to wear a compression garment following treatment and receive lots of downtime and bed rest. Normal activities will resume in about a week, while vigorous exercise should be resumed only after about six weeks.
Fat transfer and the Adivive system
1. The Adivive system has a high centrifuge rate meaning more purified cells are retrieved as well as more stem cells are harvested. In the past, bone marrow has been used to harvest stem cells but now it has been discovered that fat cells contain more stem cells than bone marrow.
2. Adivive has better purification system than other fat purification systems meaning a higher take rate of fat cells. Therefore, the more likely the fat being transferred will last longer and in many times be permanent.
3. Adivive is a closed system (fat not exposed to impurities). Less contamination means better cell viability.
4. No need to overcorrect (which is very common) which means better precision in the placement of fat.
Getting started with the fat transfer procedure
Dr. Nassif and the team at Spalding Drive Plastic Surgery will meet with you for a confidential consultation in the comfort and privacy of their Beverly Hills offices. During this session, our Beverly Hills plastic surgeons will exam you to determine which areas you would like to bolster with fat transfer, and they will also explore which areas of your body might be appropriate donor sites. In addition, a detailed medical history will be recorded, along with any previous cosmetic procedures you have undergone. It's also important to disclose to the doctors all the medications you currently take.
The consultation is an excellent time for both doctor and patient to get on the same page regarding expectations. If you have photos from magazines or the internet of your ideal aesthetic, you can show these to the doctors during your consultation. You will also be invited to view our extensive before and after photographic library of patient success stories.
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