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fat grafting

Use Your Love Handles! 

Most of us already know that diet and exercise sometimes can’t help the most stubborn areas of our bodies that hold fat. However, if you’ve been considering or are about to undergo liposuction, you’ll be happy to know that the fat you remove from those pesky areas can be used to help rejuvenate other parts of your body that may be lacking volume or vitality! In recent years, exceptionally-skilled surgeons have been using advanced technology to utilize patients’ own unwanted fat in the place of fillers for longer lasting results. This versatile procedure is referred to as fat grafting or transfer, and in this article we’ll be taking a closer look at why, and in which areas of the body fat transfer is most popularly used. 

Why Would I Use My Own Fat?

Some patients favour more natural options, and so choose to have their fat grafted and transferred as opposed to receiving fillers. The fat used typically also offers longer-lasting results. The more obvious benefit that patients appreciate is the opportunity to remove unwanted stubborn fat from areas of the body that may include their thighs, abdomen, back and/or buttocks. 

How Is It Performed?

First, the fat removed from an area of the body via liposuction. As previously mentioned, the area is one that the patient naturally holds more fat in and would prefer to be more slender. Once harvested, the fat is then placed in a centrifuge system which spins it to remove any excess fluid and concentrate the blood and stem cells. What’s left is fat that is very potent and healing. Once spun, Dr. Adibfar and his team of medically-trained professionals typically use cannulas to re-inject the concentrated fat and stem cells into areas of the body lacking volume. Because the material is derived from the patient themselves, there is very little risk or chance of rejection as well. Once re-injected the procedure is complete.

Where Can Fat Be Re-injected?

Fat grafting can be used in an infinite number of ways depending on the patient, their body and their goals. Typically, the fat is injected instead of fillers to add volume and vitality to areas of the patient’s face that seem hallow and undefined, or features that appear weaker. Patients may desire for the procedure to include strengthening areas of the face like the temples, cheekbones and cheeks, chin, forehead, undereyes, lips and more. The fat transfer also helps to improve the overall quality of the skin, especially for patients with deep or elevated scars. Dr. Adibfar uses a small cannula to inject into delicate areas of the face to improve upon the patient’s existing facial features, as well as bring more harmony and balance to the face for areas that require more robustness. The fat transfer is not only used for small subtle facial enhancements, but also for other areas of the body lacking fullness such as during breast reconstruction surgery, Buttock Augmentation and even hand rejuvenation. When transferred, a small percentage of the fat does naturally not survive and the patient may need to top up approximately 6 months after receiving the transfer. Once the fat is stabilized in its new location, in can last for up to 3 years or more. After 6 months, patients really do start to notice the improvement in their skin’s quality as their face slowly and subtly begins to change, and their facial features naturally begin to better harmonize. 

If you’re undergoing liposuction and want to put your healthy excess fat to use, or you feel there are areas of your face or body that require more volume and are currently lacking vitality, then fat transfer may be a great option for you! 

Click here to learn more about fat grafting or to book a consultation with Elements Spa’s board-certified cosmetic plastic surgeon Dr. Adibfar.