Fat Grafting | Tucson, AZ

What is Fat Grafting?

Fat grafting involves transferring fat from areas in which there is excess fat and injecting it into areas that are lacking in volume such as the breasts or buttocks. This procedure is well-tolerated and long-lasting with natural-looking results.

Who is a Good Candidate for Fat Grafting?

Individuals who wish to improve their body contour, fill in bodily depressions or revise scars can often benefit from fat grafting to the body. A consultation with one of our plastic surgeons is needed as the first step on your plastic surgery journey. During this appointment, you can discuss your aesthetic goals, and ask any questions that you may have.

Fat Grafting Procedure

During the fat grafting procedure, fat is collected from the abdomen, thighs, or other areas of the body using liposuction to be injected into specific areas of the body. There are three main steps to the fat grafting procedure, including:

Harvesting

First, you and your plastic surgeon will agree on a site for fat removal. This area will be injected with a local anesthetic, and a small incision will be created, through which a cannula connected to a syringe will be inserted. Liposuction will then be used to carefully harvest enough fat for the fat grafting process.

Purification and Transfer

Once the fat is collected, it will be processed to prepare the fat cells for injection. Purification is done by placing the fat cells into a centrifuge, which spins to remove impurities. The purified fat is then transferred into small syringes.

Placement

The area of your body that is being treated will then be prepared for injection. Small syringes will be used to inject a specific amount of fat into the treatment area for the desired outcome. Your plastic surgeon may massage the area that was injected to create a beautiful contour.

Fat Grafting Recovery

Following fat grafting, a bandage or dressing may be placed on the treated area. Swelling and bruising may occur during the first week, though should subside over time. Most people begin to see their results about 10 days after treatment when swelling begins to subside. Your plastic surgeon will provide you with specific instructions on how to best care for your treatment site during recovery for the best possible results.

The survival of the fat that was transferred will depend on how the fat was harvested and purified and how and where it was injected. When this procedure is done successfully, the injected fat will establish a new blood supply from your body to survive. When this happens, results are often long-lasting or permanent, however, there may be a percentage of fat that does not take.

Contact Us Today

If you would like to learn more about fat transfer to the body at Tucson Plastic Surgery, contact our office today! We will assist you in scheduling your initial consultation appointment with one of our plastic surgeons.