Fat transfer or lipo filling is a procedure where fat from an unwanted area is removed, processed and re-injected into another body area/face. It is an innovative treatment which has become popular in the last few years thanks to celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Nicki Minaj.
Such a procedure combined with liposuction can change one’s silhouette. For example, it can achieve a narrower waist and rounder hips and buttocks. It is also a very cost worthy 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 is split up into three stages: the harvesting of fat, the isolation of the fat cells and the reinjection of the fat in the desired area. The harvesting is carried out carefully using special cannulas that minimize damage to the fat cells. In the second stage, the fat is isolated from the body fluids and platelet-rich plasma is added to it to ensure acceptance by the body. The last part is the actual injection of the fat via a cannula.
During the first few weeks, it is imperative for the area treated to be handled with a lot of care since fat cells and blood supply to them are still being formed. Some loss (of approximately 30%) of volume is noted during this period, which is pre-empted through overcompensation 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.