Also known as fat transfer, fat injections or lipofilling is a procedure in which a person’s own fat is used to fill in irregularities and grooves by transferring fat from one part of the body having excess fat into areas lacking in volume.
During the last two decades, fat grafting in Pakistan has gained immense popularity and has been risen by 900%. Fat grafting makes up the 10% of all the non-surgical aesthetic procedures.
Recent studies have demonstrated that fat grafts that have been enriched with fat-derived stem cells, significantly improve graft survival – this procedure is also known as Nanofat (that is liquified fat with a higher concentration of stem cells).
What Are Different Uses of Fat Transfer Injection/ Fat Grafting in Pakistan
Fat injections can be used for;
- Facial Rejuvenation
As we age, we lose a significant amount of facial volume and elasticity of our skin. So aging problems such as crow’s feet, smile lines, laugh lines can be best treated by fat grafting.
It can also be used for lip augmentation, cheek augmentation – filing in the hollows and grooves in the face.
- Treating Acne Scars
Acne scars present a highly challenging and frustrating problem which can be best treated by fat grafting.
- Breast Augmentation
It is best suited for those who are looking for a modest augmentation. As it increases the breast size by only one or two cup sizes.
- Breast Implants And Fat Grafting
Fat grafting can also be useful in correcting asymmetries during a breast implant procedure. It fills in the irregularities with fat to give a smooth contour by hiding the obvious sings of breast implants.
- Breast Reconstruction With Fat Grafting
It can also be useful in help correcting scar deformities from lumpectomy or breast reconstruction.
- Buttock Augmentation With Fat Grafting
Those desiring a fuller and more rounded buttock go for fat grafting without the use of implant. It gives them a more curvaceous and sculpted buttock.
- Hips Augmentation
It adds volume to the hips giving a more feminine profile and better waist-hip ratio.
- Hand Rejuvenation
Fat grafting can effectively add volume, plump up the sagged and wrinkled areas of your hands – giving a more rejuvenating look and improving the quality of your skin.
- Feet Rejuvenation
It can potentially provide padding for bonny feet and help reduce the wrinkles thus giving a more youthful appearance.
Are There Any Downsides of Opting Fat Grafting?
Recent statistical data shows a whopping of 98% of people who have undergone this procedure, claimed that they were absolutely satisfied and overwhelmed with the results.
So, without any scruples we can have a clue about the safety of the procedure.
What is the Common Procedure of Fat Grafting Being Opted By Plastic Surgeon
Fat grafting is done in three basic steps;
- Harvesting
A site for fat removal is selected and then fat is removed using the liposuction techniques.
- Purification and transfer
Here the extracted fat is processed with decanting and centrifugation to separate debris, excess fluid and dead cells. Or it can be washed with saline solution.
- Placement
It involves the reinjecting of the purified fat into the targeted area.
The amount of fat injected varies from patient to patient and also it depends largely on the area of the body where the processed fat is being injected.
How Long Does The Procedure Take?
It can last between one to five hours, depending on where the fat cells are being taken from and where are they being transferred to.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Fat Grafting?
Any person with irregular, damaged or aged skin can go for this procedure. And the person should have enough fat available to make the nanofat.
What Are The Benefits Of Fat Grafting?
- Autologous fat from your own body reduces the chances of any allergic reactions to foreign substances.
- The results of fat grafting are long-lasting, safe and natural.
- It is a minimally invasive procedure with low risk of complications
- Reduction of the amount of fat in the donor area
- No scars at the recipient site
- Hardly visible scars at the donor site
What Is The Best Age For Getting Fat Graft Performed?
It has no age limit. As one can get it in his/her early 20’s for treating acne scars or lip augmentation and one can get in his late 30’s or 40’s for reversing the signs of aging by restoring the lost volume.
What Should I Expect After The Procedure?
Swelling, bruising and soreness at both the donor site and the treated site can be expected. But they vanish shortly afterwards.
Moreover, your surgeon will also tell you how to care for the treatment by avoiding the sun, abstaining from smoking and certain medications to speed up the recovery process.
How Long Does It Take To Recover?
The recovery time is anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks depending on the area treated.
When Will I See The Results?
It usually takes 3 to 4 months to see the results. As your face gets swollen at first and it might look like you are over-filled.
And surgeons actually inject extra fat because not all of it will survive in the new location. So, when the swelling goes down the results appear.