Fat Transfer

Fat transfer is a process whereby your own living fat cells can be transferred from other parts of your body (thighs, buttocks & abdomen are common) and re-injected into the areas of your face either for cosmetic enhancement or contour reconstruction.

Facial wrinkles and creases are part of the aging process. They begin to appear as the underlying collagen break down and wear out. This causes wrinkles and results in facial changes such as sunken temples, hollow cheeks, deeper frown lines and thinner lips. Some of the other situations where fat transfer may be useful include lip augmentation and some depressed scars. Fat transfer also is an effective method to correct the aging of the back of the hands. This can plump up the skin and help to soften the appearance of veins and tendons.

Fat transfer to the face is a safe, natural, non-allergenic procedure. Since fat transfer uses your own body cells, you can never have an allergic reaction.

What can I expect after my fat transfer?

This procedure can be done under a local anaesthetic or twilight sedation. Some swelling of the treatment site may last up to 36 hours. There may be some bruising, which is able to be covered with make-up. Up to 65% of the transferred fat may be absorbed by your body over the first few months. The remaining 35% will usually stay in place for years. You may require a "top-up" within the following months.

How is the procedure performed?

Both the areas from which the fat is taken and the treatment site are anaethetized with local anaesthetic. Using a small needle attached to a syringe, fat is removed from the donor site where your fat is most tightly packed, such as abdomen or buttocks.

Once removed, your fat is processed to remove excess fluids and then re-injected using another needle, which is placed just under your skin beneath the wrinkle. This process will be repeated until the desired correction has been achieved.

Harvesting fat cells is often performed in conjuction with other procedures. When fat is harvested, it is often possible for the surgeon to harvest a larger amount, then freeze and store your fat for future injections when they become necessary.

Benefits of fat transfer:

• Fat transferred to the face can last as long as three years
• Fat transfer can be cost effective
• There is no chance of allergic reaction

Fat transfer is a process whereby your own living fat cells can be transferred from other parts of your body (thighs, buttocks & abdomen are common) and re-injected into the areas of your face either for cosmetic enhancement or contour reconstruction.

Facial wrinkles and creases are part of the aging process. They begin to appear as the underlying collagen break down and wear out. This causes wrinkles and results in facial changes such as sunken temples, hollow cheeks, deeper frown lines and thinner lips. Some of the other situations where fat transfer may be useful include lip augmentation and some depressed scars. Fat transfer also is an effective method to correct the aging of the back of the hands. This can plump up the skin and help to soften the appearance of veins and tendons.

Fat transfer to the face is a safe, natural, non-allergenic procedure. Since fat transfer uses your own body cells, you can never have an allergic reaction.

What can I expect after my fat transfer?

This procedure can be done under a local anaesthetic or twilight sedation. Some swelling of the treatment site may last up to 36 hours. There may be some bruising, which is able to be covered with make-up. Up to 65% of the transferred fat may be absorbed by your body over the first few months. The remaining 35% will usually stay in place for years. You may require a "top-up" within the following months.