Fat transfer procedures are becoming more and more popular, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgery as more patients are choosing to use fat as a graft material as it is more natural and has longer-lasting results. This blog provides information on the process of a fat transfer, the different areas you can have fat transferred to, and the cost and recovery process from the procedure.
Guide
- Fat Transfer Dallas, Texas Cost
- How Long Does A Fat Transfer Last?
- Fat Transfer Recovery
- Conclusion
- Disclaimer
What Is A Fat Transfer Procedure?
A Fat Transfer procedure is designed to enhance an area of the body using a patient’s own fat cells that have been harvested from another area of their body. The most common area that fat is transferred to is the buttocks, as there has been a huge rise in Brazilian Butt Lift procedures in recent years. However, a fat transfer can be performed to many other body areas, including the face.
Fat is taken from areas that are considered less desirable to have excess fat deposits, such as the stomach, back, thighs, and arms. These fat deposits are removed using Liposuction, which inserts a cannula into the desired area so that a vacuum can suction out the unwanted fat to the desired extent. This fat then needs to be purified so that only the fat cells are inserted into the patient. Injections are used to insert this purified fat into the area the patient desires an enhancement.
What Areas Can I Have Fat Transferred To?
A fat transfer can be performed on most areas of the face and body, depending on where the patient desires an enhancement. Some of the most common areas a fat transfer procedure are performed include:
Facial Fat Transfer
Patients desire a facial fat transfer to restore or add volume to various areas of their face. The most common areas are the cheeks, around the eyes, and the lips. Fat transfers to the cheeks and eyes are generally performed alongside procedures to reduce the signs of aging such as a facelift or eyelid surgery as losing volume in the face can be a result of aging. However, fat transfer to the lips is performed to enhance the size and alter the shape of the lips. Typically, filler injections are used to enhance the lips but fat transfer can also be performed with effective results that tend to last significantly longer as the fat can remain for years rather than months.
Fat Transfer To Ankles
Liposuction of the calves and ankles is commonly performed to remove excess fat deposits. However, some patients desire fat to be injected into these areas to improve the proportions of their legs. Due to the fact patients who desire a fat transfer here are unlikely to have much fat already in their ankles, it might be necessary to have more than one treatment as the fat tends to be absorbed more in areas where there is less fat naturally.
Fat Transfer To Breasts
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgery, the number of breast augmentations using fat grafts has increased by 72% in recent years. This is a huge increase and shows the massive rising popularity in the procedure as many opt for a fat transfer breast augmentation over breast implants. A Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation achieves a more natural-looking and smaller breast enhancement and many patients feel more comfortable having their own fat used for the enhancement rather than implants. Additionally, many patients who wish to undergo a breast lift also have some concerns regarding a loss of volume in their breasts as well as the fact they have sagged. This is why some Breast lift patients decide to get breast implants alongside their procedure. However, other patients desire a natural-looking and smaller increase in volume and so opt for a fat transfer alongside their breast lift procedure.
Fat Transfer To Buttocks
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgery the number of buttock augmentations using fat grafts, referred to as Brazilian Butt Lift, has increased by 26% in recent years. Brazilian butt lifts are a common procedure many patients desire to achieve their ideal hourglass figure. For more information on the recovery period or financing the procedure you can read our blogs ‘The Average Cost Of A Brazilian Butt Lift In Dallas’ and ‘Brazilian Butt Lift Recovery In Dallas’.
Fat Transfer To Hips
This is often desired to resolve what many patients refer to as ‘hip dips’ which is where someone’s figure goes inwards after their waist, around their hips, and then goes out again at the top of the thighs. For some patients, this is a source of insecurity, and they desire to enhance this area of their hips for a more rounded and hourglass appearance. For this procedure, fat is often taken from around the stomach or thighs so the patient’s figure can be contoured and enhanced in the way required to achieve their surgical goals.
Fat Transfer To Thighs
Typically fat is taken from the thighs to be used for the fat transfer, but some patients desire the fat to be injected into their thighs to enhance their thigh’s volume so they can achieve their ideal figure.
Fat Transfer Cost in Dallas
The cost of a fat transfer procedure in Dallas can range hugely depending on which areas are undergoing liposuction and where the patient desires a fat transfer. For example, a fat transfer to the lips will require minimal fat, whereas a Brazilian butt lift procedure is far more extensive and, therefore, a much more expensive procedure. RealSelf states that the cost for a facial fat transfer can cost between $50 and $12,000. This huge range for just facial fat transfer shows how much the cost of your procedure can vary depending on many factors including:
- The size of the area treated
- Number of liposuction areas
- Hospital/ operating room charges
- Experience of surgeon
- Location
- How long the procedure takes
- Aftercare (such as compression garments or any medications)
- Consultations and check-up appointments
- Post procedure complications
How Long Does A Fat Transfer Last?
A fat transfer has the potential to last for many years and may even achieve permanent results for some Dallas fat transfer procedure patients. Other enhancement procedures such as fillers or botox use a substance that tends to dissolve over time, and so results from these procedures tend to last a year or two at most. However, the fat that is injected will behave in the same way as fat that exists in other areas of our body. This means that if a patient’s weight does not drastically fluctuate, the fat that is injected in the fat transfer can remain in place. If a patient gains weight, then the area can be further enhanced and the desired shape for the area will likely be altered. Similarly, if a patient loses weight then the fat injected will behave as other fat cells and can be absorbed and lost. Therefore, if a patient maintains their current weight the fat transfer has the potential to last many years and may never require a second treatment.
Fat Transfer Recovery
Recovering from a fat transfer procedure normally involves two distinct aspects as the aftercare for liposuction is drastically different from that of a fat transfer. The specific recovery and aftercare advice will depend on the areas you have undergone the procedure and so it is important to conduct further research into the recovery for your specific procedure.
If you have only undergone fat transfer injections from a donor’s fat cells then you will merely need to look after the injection sites where the fat was transferred to. No pressure should be applied to the area the fat was transferred. This means that if patients undergo a facial fat transfer they should not lie on their front and apply pressure to their face, whereas buttocks fat transfer patients should not sit down or lie on their back for around eight weeks. Applying pressure to the area can negatively impact a patient’s result and lead to an increased amount of the fat that was injected being absorbed by the body.
When recovering from liposuction, patients tend to experience significant swelling and sometimes bruising. This is a normal reaction to the procedure but it is important to wear compression garments to help with any excess fluid build-up and to provide the body with support. Additionally, patients should avoid strenuous activities for a few weeks and take time off work to rest and recover. For more specific information on recovering from a liposuction procedure, you can read our blog ‘12 FAQs About Liposuction Aftercare’.
Conclusion
As fat transfer procedures continue to rise in popularity more patients wish to understand the procedure, the cost, and the recovery. This blog aimed to help provide potential Dallas fat transfer procedure patients with information on a range of fat transfer procedures. If you are interested in undergoing a Dallas fat transfer procedure it is important to book a consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon so that you can have a professional assessment and discover whether the procedure is suitable for your needs. Contact Us to book a consultation with Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Liland.
Disclaimer
Please note: All materials on the Site, such as text, treatments, outcomes, photographs and images and any other material provided on the Site are for information purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding treatments. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Site.
Though the content of this blog has been carefully prepared, the author of this content is not a medical doctor and the content has not been reviewed by a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon.
Unless specifically stated, patients referred to in this blog have not received a fat transfer procedure from Dr. Liland. This blog does not endorse the work of any doctors or surgeons mentioned. Stories relating to patients’ personal experiences of a fat transfer procedure should be treated as anecdotal only.
Any application of the material provided is at the reader’s discretion and his, her, or their responsibility.