There are many different techniques for cosmetic and reconstructive surgery that have been developed over the years. One of the most versatile of these is fat grafting, sometimes known as a fat transfer or lipofilling. It’s a surgical procedure that takes fat from one place in the body (utilising liposuction technique), processes it and then inserts it into another.

This process can be great for people who want to both reduce and increase volume in different areas. So, if you are looking for a cosmetic technique to move fat from one spot to another, you might think about fat grafting as a potential option for you.

At BB Clinic, our trained practitioners use fat grafting for many different reasons, to help our patients get the results they want, tailoring the method to their needs. Read on to learn more about this method, why we like it, and things to consider if you’re thinking about getting fat grafting.

Reasons We Perform Fat Grafting

There are many reasons why you might get a fat grafting procedure. Since it involves taking fat from your own body with liposuction, it’s often sought by people who want to target certain areas for fat removal. Then, it’s injected into another area.

Whether you’re looking to increase the volume or improve contouring in your breasts, areas of the face, buttocks, or other areas, you might consider the following benefits:

Two for one procedure

One of the advantages of this procedure is the fact that you can address two issues at the same time. Patients often have particular body areas that they would like to recontour, which can be done with liposuction. The removed fat can then be used, after being processed, to augment or recontour another part of the body, like breasts for instance.

Versatility of treatment

Everyone who seeks fat grafting has different goals. One of the advantages of the treatment is that it can be used to reduce and increase fat in many different areas of the body. Your practitioner can customise the treatment according to your desired target areas, as well as the amount of fat you wish to transfer.

In addition, it can be used in combination with other procedures, such as breast lift (mastopexy) or in combination with, or instead of, breast implants (augmentation mammoplasty). Fat grafting, as an alternative to traditional augmentation mammoplasty with implants, can be a good choice for people who wish to avoid the potential downsides of having implants in the first place.

Can be used in both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery

As well as being used in cosmetic surgery, fat grafting can also be a great reconstructive technique. It’s often used in breast reconstruction, for example, to help shape and reconstruct a new breast shape.

Less invasive than other surgical procedures

Since fat grafting involves liposuction and fat injections, it’s considered less invasive than other types of surgery. This means the recovery is less extensive and the incisions required are only small. That being said, you should still expect to have a small amount of scarring and should be able to follow post-operative instructions.

Multiple areas at once

Another reason people choose fat grafting is because it can change the appearance of more than one area at once. It both reduces one area and augments another. For example, a common area for injection is the breasts during a breast fat transfer procedure, after the fat is taken from an area such as the thighs or abdomen.

Things to Consider

One thing to keep in mind is that fat grafting isn’t for everyone. If you’re wanting to lose weight or have a high BMI, it might not be a good time to get this procedure. Even though the procedure can reduce fat in certain areas, it should not be mistaken for a weight loss method.

Another thing to keep in mind is that, due to the versatility of the procedure, different patients will get different results. The only real way to manage your expectations about results is to have an in-depth discussion with a qualified practitioner such as our staff at BB Clinic.

Depending on the goals of the procedure, more than one session of fat grafting is occasionally required, so realistic expectations of what can be achieved are essential to walking away feeling satisfied after this procedure.

To maintain your results, you should avoid drastic changes in weight after surgery.

There are also risks of fat grafting, which you’ll want to discuss with your practitioner. For example, there’s a risk of fat necrosis, scarring, and infection. Weighing the pros and cons can help you make a decision that you’re comfortable with.

Your Consultation at BB Clinic

At BB Clinic, we believe in supporting patients every step of the way through their fat grafting procedure. We understand the uniqueness of your body, desired results, and needs, and this is one of the reasons why we perform fat grafting for many patients – it’s customisable to you.

To learn about whether you’re a good candidate, you’re welcome to book a consultation with us, where we’ll discuss risks, benefits, and what to expect.