Fat transfer or lipo filling is a procedure whereby fat is removed from an unwanted area on the body, processed and then re-injected into a desirable area of the body or face. It is an innovative treatment made popular in the last few years due to its use among celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Nicki Minaj.

The combination of fat transfer and liposuction allows for significant changes to be made to one’s silhouette. For example, by achieving a narrower waist, rounder hips or a plumper buttocks. It is also a very beneficial procedure for individuals who have lost a large amount of facial fat and require volume restoration.

The biggest advantage of fat transfer procedures is that the volumizing ‘product’ is one’s own (fat), making it impossible for the body to react allergically to it. Also, the amount of volume displaced is very high; from 10 to 40cc for fat transfer to face to over 500cc in buttock reshaping.

The procedure

The procedure is split up in 3 stages;

  1. The harvesting of the fat
  2. The isolation of the fat cells
  3. The re-injection of the fat in the desired area.

The initial harvesting stage is done carefully by means of special cannulas which minimize damage to the fat cells. In the second stage, the fat is isolated from the body fluids. Anesthetic and platelet rich plasma are then added to the fat to better prepare it for its return into the body to ensure that it will be accepted. The final stage is the actual injection of the fat via a cannula.

Post Operative Care

During the first few weeks, it is imperative for the area treated to be handled with a lot of care since fat cells since blood supply to them is still being formed. Some loss (of approximately 30%) of volume is noted during this period, which is pre-empted by means of over compensation of fat during injection time.

The fat transplanted which remains after this process is there to stay and fluctuates according to one’s weight gain/loss. In some cases, this process is repeated for optimal volume reach, according to one’s expectations.