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Body Fat Transfers

Here you'll find information on:

Is a body fat transfer right for me?
The procedure
Complications and risks
Consult a qualified plastic surgeon
Costs

Fat transfers have been used for more than 100 years to fill in facial flaws such as hollowed cheeks and sunken eyes or indented scars. Today, fat transfers are used to augment many other areas of the body, including the buttocks, bicep, tricep, calf muscles, breasts, hands, and penis. Fat transfers are considered the traditional method for surgically rounding out the edges of a small localized area of the body as compared to the newer body implant approach in which implants are used to produce a more shapely appearance required by a larger area of the body. You can also read our surgeon discussions of fat transfers and body implants.

The beauty of a fat transfer is that the materials used to augment the desired body part are your own fat cells. This makes the procedure unquestionably biocompatible and non-allergenic. Also, a body fat transfer feels more natural than a body implant. The goal of the procedure is to improve the appearance of the localized body-part area that needs improvement.

The results of this particular plastic surgery may be unpredictable. The reason is that much of the injected fat is absorbed, leaving an average of about 40 percent in place. Patients may require more than one treatment to achieve the best results. Each time the procedure is repeated, more fat is accumulated in the treated area. This tends to offer longer-lasting results, even lifetime results.

Is Fat Transfer Right for Me?

Exercise is the best way to improve the appearance of your body; however, aging and genetics may make workout programs unrealistic for certain small areas of the body. Genetically, fat may be unevenly distributed causing disproportional features. Patients in their mid 30s to 70s who have lost volume in a specific body area may benefit from fat transfers. Realistic expectations are extremely important in the decision for a fat transfer. Talk to your plastic surgeon about alternative treatments that may also be suitable for your condition.

The Fat Transfer Procedure

Body fat transfers are most often performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon. The location of the procedure may be the doctor's office, outpatient center, or hospital. The procedure may take up to two hours. The procedure is often performed under "twilight sedation," which includes a combination of medications that make you feel sleepy and numbed, but awake. The procedure may be performed under general anesthesia, while you are asleep. You should discuss the type of anesthesia with your doctor. The waiting time before returning home depends on the amount of fat that is transferred.

The procedure varies depending upon the technique used by the doctor and the area to be treated. The most commonly treated locations are the buttocks, chest, calf, and bicep or tricep muscles. The procedure can be described in three steps:

Antiseptic is applied to two areas: 1) the location where the fat will be removed and 2) the treated area, where the fat will be injected.
The fat cells are typically removed from the buttocks, stomach, or thighs using liposuction. The doctor uses a cannula (a thin hollow tube) that is connected to a vacuum device to remove fat cells.
After the fat cells are suctioned by the cannula, the fat cells are processed and purified by the doctor. In some cases, the doctor will use a technique that spins the fat cells before the cells are injected beneath the skin. Some doctors do not spin fat. Different doctors may use different techniques of spinning fat. A bandage may be applied.

It takes three to four days for the first capillaries in the body to reach the transplanted fat cells. Unfortunately, during those three to four days, up to 60 percent of the transferred fat cells will die. For this reason, doctors will overfill the treated area to allow for the dissipation of transferred fat cells. Since many of the transferred fat cells may eventually be reabsorbed in the body, the results may be unpredictable. The results of fat transfers may last about three years. Many cases result in the transfer lasting a lifetime. Each time the procedure is repeated, more fat is accumulated in the treated area. This tends to offer longer-lasting results.

After Fat Transfer Surgery

After the procedure, you may need someone to drive you home. You may also need someone to help you with daily living activities during the time specified by your doctor. The doctor will instruct you to limit activity, including exercise, for up to three weeks after the procedure. Within two to three days after the procedure, the bandage is removed by the doctor. Patients can begin to shower after the bandage is removed.

There is typically some swelling and some bruising. The swelling may last for several weeks. However, bruising will subside within a few days. The treated area may be reddened within the first 48 hours. Discomfort can be managed with oral medications. Scabs may form at injection site as well. Unmanageable pain or any symptoms that are progressive or abnormal should be reported to the doctor immediately. Normal activities can often be resumed almost immediately, except that you are advised to stay out of the sun. Patients should notice a marked improvement after the procedure. However, final results may not be evident for several months or longer.

Complications and Risks

Complications are possible with any medical procedure, but complications from fat transfers are infrequent. The most common, but infrequent, complications of fat transfers include uneven skin texture, infection, abscess, excessive bleeding, or scarring. If fat is injected into two or more areas, patients may have asymmetry whereby the fat appears uneven in different areas. Treatment for complications can range from oral medications to surgical intervention, depending upon the extent of the complication. Following the doctor's instructions before and after the procedure can reduce the risk of complications.

Consult a Qualified Plastic Surgeon

Talk to a qualified doctor about your goals and the treatment options available for your condition. A qualified doctor will help ensure the treatment is appropriate for your condition, increase the odds of success, and reduce the risk of complications.

It's important to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon from the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Board certification may not always guarantee the best results; however, board certification does require specific and rigorous surgical education and training. There are only a select number of doctors who perform the procedure. Choose a surgeon who has extensive, specific experience in the body fat transfer that you are interested in, as well as expertise in all areas of body fat transfer.

Here are some tips to consider when consulting a plastic surgeon:

Review credentials, education, training, type of certification held, and the number of times that the procedure has been performed in the practice.
View before-and-after photos of patients who received the fat transfer procedure and alternative procedures to help set reasonable expectations. You can also bring a photo of the desired result you would like to see.
Inquire about different techniques such as the method for spinning fat cells and alternative procedures such as collagen.
Inquire about the type of equipment to be used, where the procedure will be performed, and the extent of the procedure.
Review possible complications of the procedure with the doctor.
Request a list of instructions. Following these instructions can reduce the risk of complications. The list may include:
1) a prescribed antibiotic for both before and after the procedure
2) stopping certain medications
3) ask your doctor if you should have someone drive you home after the procedure
Understand that results can vary among doctors and patients. It is important to conduct extensive research before deciding on a surgeon or if the procedure is right for you.

During your consultation, the doctor will complete a medical evaluation. The treatment plan developed by the doctor may include a combination of procedures or an alternative procedure.

Costs

The fat transfer procedure includes three costs: local, regional, or general anesthesia fees, facility fees, and surgeon's fees. Other cost factors include the doctor's skill and training, the geographic location, and the technique. It is difficult to establish an average cost for the fat transfer procedure because every case is unique. Since body fat transfers may be performed during other procedures, anesthesia and facility fees may be combined with those procedures. The total fees for fat transfers can range from a minimum of $5,000 to $10,000 or more.

When fat transfer surgery is a medical necessity, such as after a traumatic injury, some or all costs may be covered under your insurance plan. Surgery for a cosmetic purpose is not covered. If the cost of the fat transfer surgery is difficult for you, ask your surgeon about payment plans. For financing options and tips, continue reading about Patient Financing.