What Is Fat Grafting and How Does It Work?

Do you want to restore volume and definition to your face and body area? With SB Aesthetics, fat grafting treatment in Gurgaon, one can enhance their facial or body features/contours with even distribution of body fat. The procedure is successful because it uses the body's own fat to create a natural, long-lasting enhancement.

It is popularly performed for aesthetic improvements and reconstructive purposes, to manage aging signs or enhance the contour of the brea-st area, such as after mastectomy or any injury. If considering an autologous fat transfer, the following information can help you be well-informed about the technique so you can make the right decision.

What is Fat Grafting and How Does It Work?

Fat grafting, or autologous fat transfer, is a cosmetic or reconstructive service offered by a plastic surgeon to restore volume, improve contour, and fix defects/deformities caused by ageing, medical conditions, or injuries.

The procedure of this meticulous technique works as follows:

1. Initial Consultation - The targeted area and the donor area are thoroughly examined to ensure good quality and adequate fat transfer.
2. Fat Harvesting- Through a tiny incision, a cannula with a vacuum is inserted, and the fat is removed. It is performed using one of the following liposuction techniques: Tumescent liposuction, Power-assisted liposuction, Laser-assisted liposuction, or Ultrasound-assisted liposuction.
3. Purification/Processing of Harvested Fat - The harvested fat is cleaned and refined through centrifugation, filtration, or sedimentation.
4. Fat Transfer/Grafting- High-quality, healthy fat is injected into the areas that need to be contoured or made voluptuous.
5. Healing and Integration of Grafted Fat- Some portion of the transferred fat creates its own blood supply and survives for years.

What Are the Most Sought-After Applications of Fat Grafting?

Fat grafting is a popular procedure and is used in the following techniques across aesthetic and reconstructive medical applications.

• Facial Fat Grafting- The fat lost due to ageing is replenished with fat graft to rejuvenate the face. Most commonly targeted areas for facial fat grafting are the nasolabial folds, under-eyes, cheeks, temples, lips, and jawline.
• Lip Augmentation with Fat Transfer- The lips are made plump and fine lines around the mouth are softened naturally with fat graft.
• Bre-ast Augmentation with Fat Transfer- Fat grafts may be used alone or with implants to add volume to the brea-sts, provide subtle cleavage, and correct asymmetry. These even benefit people who have undergone mastectomy or lumpectomy or are seeking br-east reconstruction with an expander or implant.
• Brazilian Bu-tt Lift- Fat grafts harvested from the abdomen, thighs, or flanks are placed in the but-tocks to make them round and fuller. Such body fat grafting helps create an hourglass figure.
• Hand and Scar Repair - Autologous fat transfer in the bony, wrinkled, or scarred hands, or in other areas with dents or imperfections, can ensure long-term rejuvenated hands and an aesthetic body.

Note: Safety of the technique depends on technique, expertise, and experience of the surgeon. Modern safety protocols focus on avoiding deep muscle injection and using careful planning (and in many practices, ultrasound guidance).  SB Aesthetic Clinic follows advanced safety protocols, expert technique, and experienced hands ensure fat grafting is conducted with careful planning, superficial placement, and a strong focus on patient safety.

Different Fat Grafting Options

Depending on the size of the targeted area and how the fat is transferred, here are four types of fat grafting techniques available:

• Nano-fat grafting- The fat harvested through liposuction is passed between syringes to break down fat into a fine, liquid-like emulsion. The melted fat, containing concentrated ste-m cells and other regenerative components, is injected into delicate areas like the under-eyes, around the mouth, and the temples to treat superficial fine lines and wrinkles.
• Micro-fat grafting- The fat harvested through liposuction is precisely placed in small areas, like in acne scars or under-eye hollows, in small amounts with a micro-cannula or fine needle.
• Macro-fat grafting- The large fat globules of over 2.4 mm that are harvested through abdominal or thigh liposuction are centrifuged or decanted. This purified form of fat is then injected as droplets into large areas like bre-asts, bu-ttocks, and cheeks to create a physical spacer and provide considerable volume enhancement.
• Structural fat grafting- The fat harvested through a small cannula with light pressure is passed through low-speed centrifugation. Small droplets of this purified form of fat are then layered or tunnelled into the targeted area to ensure optimal survival of the fat.

Why Opt for Fat Grafting?

Fat grafting is favoured over fillers and implants as it offers the following benefits:

• Realistic, youthful volume expansion- As one's own fat is used, the texture and feel of the area grafted with fat smoothly blend with surrounding tissues, and one looks and feels younger again.
• Fixing contour abnormalities/body asymmetries: Autologous fat transfer helps sculpt both the donor (the area from which excess, undesirable fat is harvested) and the recipient (the less voluminous area to which fat is grafted). It also helps improve one’s self-image and look with enhanced looks.
• Long-lasting effects- Although not all grafted adipocytes may survive, the portion of the fat that integrates with the body can persist for the rest of the patient's life.
• Minimally invasive- Fat grafting is performed using a microcannula or fine needles. Thus, there are minimal to non-noticeable incision scars, leading to faster healing.
• High safety and biocompatibility- Using the patient’s own fat makes the procedure safe, with minimal risk of allergy or rejection.

Meet Dr. Shilpi Bhadani for a Detailed Fat Grafting Consultation

If you are thinking of natural-looking, long-lasting facial rejuvenation, body shaping, or lip plumping, visit SB Aesthetic Clinic and schedule a consultation with Dr. Shilpi Bhadani.

Dr. Shilpi has more than 15 years of experience, which covers both aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. She has earned her training in top medical institutions in India and other countries, as well as participating in fellowships at renowned global centers. Moreover, she is a member of both national and international surgical societies.

Dr. Shilpi's philosophy is based on a patient-first, safety-first approach. This includes detailed consultations, personalized treatment plans, and, of course, natural-looking results that not only boost self-esteem but also promote health. Her passion for learning and skill in the art of surgery make her the go-to doctor for fat grafting and other aesthetic procedures.

She uses modern micro fat and nano fat techniques to precisely tailor graft autologous fat in desired areas. She can help you enhance your beauty with safe fat grafting treatment without compromising your safety or comfort.

What Our Patients Ask About Fat Grafting Treatment

What are the risks associated with fat grafting?

Fat grafting or autologous fat transfer carries minimal risks if it’s done by skilled, experienced experts on suitable candidates using safety protocols. The potential risks and complications include fat necrosis/absorption/embolism, volume loss or asymmetry, infection, swelling, bruising, internal scarring, and lumps or contour irregularities. They can show up in both the fat harvest and fat grafting sites.

How long does fat graft last?

Not all transferred fat cells would survive; only 60 to 70% does. Within the first 6 months of fat grafting, there is a loss of about 30-40% of volume due to fat cell absorption by the body. Only those fat grafts that receive a new blood supply behave like the body’s own tissues, and so last for several years, with proper care and maintenance.

How long is the recovery for fat grafting?

The recovery time is variable. Generally, small fat transferred sites heal quickly, probably within 5-7 days, and large, grafted areas take several weeks. The initial swelling and bruising subside in 1-2 weeks, and that’s when work and light activities can be resumed. Complete healing takes around 3 to 6 months, when the transferred fat fully settles in.

How many fat grafting sessions will I need?

The required count of fat grafting sessions is variable. It is determined by the practitioner after assessing the area to be treated, knowing the expected volume restoration, and seeing for the contour irregularity to be addressed. Usually, 1-2 sessions suffice for small areas and 2 to 5 sessions in several months gap for larger areas.

How long is the fat grafting procedure?

The duration of the fat grafting session is anywhere between 1 and 5 hours. It is influenced by the size and number of targeted areas, the volume of fat to be harvested and injected, and the complexity of the transfer technique. Detailed techniques take time, while advanced techniques might reduce the length of the procedure.

Which is better: fat grafting, filler, or implants?

None of them is universally better. Each procedure has its own benefits and risks. So, the best choice amongst fat grafting, filler, or implants can only be determined by an expert who is aware of the patient’s cosmetic goals, body type, existing condition, desired procedure’s length, and the acceptance of downtime.

What is the cost of fat grafting?

Various factors determine the cost of fat grafting in Gurgaon. The surgeon first assesses your body type and concerns to be addressed, and based on certain observations, the cost is decided. As this is an individualized procedure, the cost will vary from patient to patient.  It's best to consult with the plastic surgeon for a detailed quote.

Ready To Get The Transformation. Visit SB Aesthetic Clinic

SB Aesthetics Clinic houses best team of cosmetic and plastic surgeon and experts that deliver best to their patients. The clinic is equipped with modern facilities and follows international protocols and ensures patient safety is kept at top most priority and delivers them with natural, long-lasting enhancement.

To explore more, book your consultation.