Fat Transfer
Fat grafting consists of the transfer of fat tissue/fat cells from a donor site such as the abdomen or buttocks to the lips, cheeks, under the eyes and other areas.
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Fat grafting consists of the transfer of fat tissue/fat cells from a donor site such as the abdomen or buttocks to the lips, cheeks, under the eyes and other areas.
Contact UsThe face is the most common recipient site but fat may be transferred to the breasts, buttocks, hips or any other area where there is fat deficiency or indentation. In addition, fat transfer has a wonderful role across many facets of general reconstructive plastic surgery. It can address any contour deficit – not limited by body site. These contour deficits can be due to skeletal anomalies (pectus excavatum), muscle anomalies (poland’s syndrome), generalised soft tissue deficits (parry rhomberg syndrome, facial asymmetry), chronic nerve pathologies causing wasting and also carry soft tissue / skin regenerative abilities (wounds, scleroderma, scars).Fat grafting can be carried out at any age.
Fat transfer is a process through which is taken from one area of the body and transplanted to another, subsequently growing a blood supply to survive. The fat is harvested, washed, and filtered using innovative equipment – facilitating transplantation as macro or micro droplets. Surgical refinements have improved fat graft predictability, reliability, and longevity of result. These grafts carry both structural / volume benefits and regenerative rejuvenating abilities.
Fat transfer has several suitable indications in the setting of breast surgery. It can be utilised for staged breast augmentation, as a hybrid during either breast implant placement, breast lift or commonly as an adjunct during breast implant removal and subsequent breast lift. It can be used following any breast cosmetic or reconstructive surgery to augment volume or to contour soft tissues.
A key aspect of preparing for any surgery is that Your surgeon understands your desires and expectations. At your initial consultation, your consultant will explain the fat transfer procedure in great detail. You will discuss your expectations and what he/she can achieve for you, ensuring you have realistic expectations of the results.
Your surgeon will also want to evaluate your current physical health and health history, ensuring you are a suitable candidate for surgery. Because a fat transfer is an elective procedure, you and Your surgeon will naturally carefully discuss the benefits and risks involved, as is the case with any surgical procedure.
Under general anaesthetic fat is harvested from a typical donor site such as the abdomen or buttock. The fat cells are extracted through a very fine cannula. The fat graft is injected through a very fine cannula. Pre-operatively with the patient sitting the areas to be injected are carefully outlined. When the patient is under anaesthetic, lying flat on the surgical table it is not possible to precisely identify the areas that required fat injection. The cannula is inserted through a small puncture hole in the skin which usually does not require suturing. When fat transfer is carried out as a stand alone procedure, patients are fit for discharge from the hospital approximately four hours following completion of the procedure. Post-operatively an antibiotic may be prescribed for one week and light pain relief is taken – symptoms tend to consist of discomfort and tenderness rather than pain.
There will be swelling and perhaps bruising also. The swelling will take 2 weeks to subside. An antibiotic is taken for 1 week and mild to moderate pain relief is taken. An elastic facial support is worn in some cases.
The fat donor site will not require specific aftercare apart from a pressure garment if a large quantity of fat has been removed. Recovery time is determined mainly by the duration of the swelling and bruising. With regard to the face this will be in the order of two weeks, by which time you should be fit to return to work and go out socially. If you work from home you should be able to resume work within a few days following surgery. You will not experience severe pain – tenderness and soreness represents the level of discomfort experienced by most patients. Everyone recovers differently but you can rest assured that we will monitor you closely to ensure the swiftest, safest and most comfortable recovery.
Cost should never be a deciding factor with an elective surgery. Trust, experience and aftercare are absolutely key. River Medical is widely recognised as the industry leader in Ireland. We are also proud to say that we adhere to the strictest of ethical guidelines and believe that only highly trained medical staff should advise on cosmetic procedures – be it surgical or non-surgical.
You will meet with one of our consultant plastic surgeons who will discuss everything with you including your expectations and desires, the procedure and the best type of procedure for you, the results as well as any possible eventualities.
Recovery time is determined mainly by the duration of the swelling and bruising. With regard to the face this will be in the order of two weeks, by which time you should be fit to return to work and go out socially. If you work from home you should be able to resume work within a few days following surgery. You will not experience severe pain – tenderness and soreness represents the level of discomfort experienced by most patients. Everyone recovers differently but you can rest assured that we will monitor you closely to ensure the swiftest, safest and most comfortable recovery.
Your consultant will assess your suitability and recommend the best treatment for you at your initial consultation.
Preparation will begin with an initial consultation with your consultant plastic surgeon, followed by a meeting with one of our registered general nurses. Each one will go through every aspect of the surgery in great detail. Prior to surgery you will return for a further comprehensive pre-operative assessment with your River Medical nurse. Your consultant will be available to you right up until your surgery should you wish to see him/her again.
Your surgery will be carried at our sister company clinic, the Fitzwilliam Private Clinic in Belfast, where thousands of procedures have been carried out for more than a decade.
At River Medical, you will receive excellent aftercare post surgery with our General Registered Nurses and your consultant plastic surgeon.
This procedure leaves minimal scarring, virtually no trace of surgery.
We are widely regarded as being the industry leader in cosmetic surgery. At River Medical, we never compromise on the level of care and attention we give each and every one of our patients, every time, and we are committed to you from procedure right through to your 24/7, aftercare.
Before and after pictures on websites can be misleading as they may not be patients of the surgeon who will be carrying out your surgery. As every person has completely different expectations and different treatment requirements, it is a much more valuable tool for your consultant to show pictures of not only surgeries that he/she has carried out but also show you results you will be likely to achieve.