what is Fat Transfer surgery?
In the realm of cosmetic surgery, fat transfer procedures, notably popularized by trends like the Brazilian butt lift, have seen a significant rise. Dr. Jay Shenaq, a Houston-based board-certified plastic surgeon, specializes in utilizing liposuction to both slim targeted areas and enhance others by redistributing the extracted fat. This versatile technique can be applied to areas such as the buttocks, breasts, cheeks, and lips, effectively addressing volume needs. For those considering a fat transfer, the experienced medical team at Houston Plastic Surgery is ready to address inquiries and guide individuals through the transformative possibilities of this procedure.
What Are The Benefits Of A Fat Transfer?
A fat transfer in Houston, TX at Plastic Surgery of Houston offers a more natural alternative to fillers and implants to help you achieve a reimagined and rejuvenated look. Dr. Shenaq will work with you to devise a customized fat transfer plan to meet your needs and goals with several great benefits, including:
- Provides a higher safety profile than synthetic implants
- Reduces unwanted fat in problem areas
- Smooths lines and wrinkles
- Slims and contours the figure
- Enhances the buttocks, breasts, lips, and more
- Replenishes areas of volume loss
- Creates a more youthful appearance
- It's less invasive than other surgical procedures
- Little to no scarring
- Minimal recovery time
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am i a candidate for a fat transfer?
Individuals seeking enhanced fullness in specific facial or body areas that appear flat may find a fat transfer procedure suitable. This approach is particularly beneficial as it utilizes the patient's own fat tissue, ensuring a natural outcome and minimizing concerns about rejection. At Plastic Surgery of Houston, potential candidates for this treatment are required to maintain a healthy weight and have sufficient fat available for the transfer process.
how does a fat transfer work?
In the initial consultation, the surgeon will assess your overall health, available fat areas, and skin quality. The suitability of the target area for grafting will also be evaluated to tailor an individualized plan. Open discussions about any appearance concerns and desired outcomes are encouraged to align goals with realistic expectations. Expected post-surgery effects, such as swelling and bruising, vary among patients but typically subside within 1 – 2 weeks. A compression garment may be necessary for larger fat removal. Most patients can resume modest activity in 7 – 10 days (for small amounts of fat removal) or 6-8 weeks (for larger grafts). Complete recovery from fat grafting surgery usually takes 6 months.
what areas can fat be transferred to?
Fat transfer procedures are commonly employed in various areas to achieve aesthetic enhancements. Facial rejuvenation involves fat grafting under the eyes, within the cheeks, and to the lips, addressing laugh lines and chin creases. A specialized application is gluteal reshaping, commonly known as a Brazilian butt lift, which utilizes fat transfer to enhance the buttocks. Additionally, fat grafting corrects contour irregularities resulting from aggressive liposuction and plays a role in breast reconstruction. Another rejuvenation avenue is the hands, where using the patient's own fat conceals visible veins and tendons, particularly as signs of aging become more apparent.
What to expect after a fat transfer?
Following your fat transfer, liposuction incisions are closed, and you'll be monitored in recovery before heading home with a companion. Dr. Shenaq provides recovery expectations and tips for faster healing. Subsequent follow-up appointments at Plastic Surgery of Houston assess your healing and results. Recovery time varies, necessitating a few weeks of rest, with initial discomfort, bruising, and swelling expected. While some improvements are immediate, final results become evident over weeks. Though a small amount of fat may be reabsorbed, proper maintenance ensures long-lasting results.
Fat Transfer FAQ
How much does a fat transfer cost?
The cost for a fat transfer will vary depending on a number of factors. In fat transfers to the breasts or buttocks, a larger volume of fat is needed, so surgical liposuction is used, which means a lengthier process is incorporated to purify the fat and inject it accordingly. Smaller fat transfers, such as those to the face and hands, take less time and fat. The amount of volume required to achieve your goals will be explained during your initial consultation with Dr. Shenaq, along with pricing estimates and payment options for you to consider.
Where can I have fat transferred?
Fat can be transferred to most areas of your body or face that you want volume. Some of the most popular areas are the buttocks (typically called the Brazilian butt lift), hands, face, and breasts. Fat grafting might be combined with breast reconstruction or augmentation with implants to correct irregularities. Age-related volume loss in the hands and face can also be improved with fat grafting, particularly in the hollows under the eyes or to add shape to your lips. Talk to Dr. Shenaq in your consultation about where you would like to add volume so he can develop your personal fat transfer treatment plan.
How long will the results of a fat transfer last?
The results of a fat transfer look natural and can last for a long time with proper care. Dr. Shenaq uses the latest techniques to purify and graft fat that limits reabsorption. However, there is generally a certain amount of fat that does not graft to its new area — so Dr. Shenaq often adds slightly more fat than is needed. If you would like to touch up or enhance your results after a few years, another fat transfer can be discussed.
Are there any alternative treatments to a fat transfer?
Based on the area that needs volume, you may have an alternative to a fat graft. In your breasts and buttocks, augmentation surgery with an implant may be performed instead of a fat transfer. In your face and hands, Plastic Surgery of Houston offers several injectable fillers for long-lasting volume and skin rejuvenation. Dr. Shenaq will explain all of your options during your initial consultation so that you can see the results that match your concerns and goals.
What if I don't have enough fat for a transfer?
In your consultation with Dr. Shenaq, he will discuss how much fat is needed to meet your goals. In some cases, you might not have enough fat for the transfer, but this is typically only a problem if you have a very low body fat percentage or want a large volume of fat added to one area. Fat may be taken from several areas if needed or combined with donor fat. Dr. Shenaq will explain all of your choices in your appointment.
What is the recovery time for a fat transfer?
Recovery time varies, but most patients can return to light activities within a few days to a week. Swelling and bruising are common and may take several weeks to fully subside.
Contour, Enhance, and improve
If you have an area of your body that has low volume due to weight loss, aging, or genetics, fat transfer surgery may be a good option for you. We invite you to schedule a consultation so that we can assess the areas for treatment and help you understand more about the procedure and if it is right for you. Fat transfers can create a smooth, fuller shape in areas as small as the lips, or as large as the buttocks.
