Fat transfer can enhance the face and body by using fat from another part of the body.  

What is Lipofilling?

Lipofilling is also known as fat grafting and fat transfer. It’s a procedure in body remodelling to improve the contours of the body. Put simply, you take fat from one part of the body to another to smooth out, enhance, and fill in irregularities. You can use fat transfer techniques to increase the volume of an area of the body using a person’s own fat. 

Fat Transfer (Lipofilling): Quick Overview

How Does Lipofilling Work?

Lipofilling works by removing unwanted fat from an area of the body like the thighs, buttocks, or abdomen using liposuction. The necessary fat is obtained through small 3-5mm incisions, normally from the thighs or abdomen. Fat cells are then harvested and separated from body fluid. The fat is then processed by centrifuging, rinsing, or filtering. Pure fatty tissue is then injected into the body. 

Your surgeon will evenly inject fat by using small amounts in the tissue so that the area is smooth and surrounded by healthy tissues. It’s this process that ensures that the transplanted fat has access to oxygen and nutrients from the surrounding healthy tissue. 

Depending on the amount of fat you’re injecting and the area of the body, you may need several sessions or one. The surgery can take between 1 to 3 hours and will use either general or local anaesthetic. This will depend on how much fat you harvest and inject, as well as how many parts of the body. 

It’s important to know that there is a limit on the amount of fat you can inject in one session. This is why you may need several sessions for one treatment, especially if you’re trying to achieve a particular result. 

Breast fat transfer
Breast fat transfer

Where Can You Use Fat Transfer on the Body?

Using the body’s fat cells, you can use fat grafting techniques on several parts of the body to improve contours and smooth out the skin’s appearance. 

Fat transfer surgery is used on the following areas: 

  • Breasts 
  • Buttocks 
  • Lips 
  • Cheeks 
  • Face 
  • Hands
  • Improve the appearance of scars 

Breast Fat Transfer

Fat transfer breast augmentation surgery uses the patient’s own fat via liposuction to enhance and enlarge the breasts. The procedure uses fat grafting techniques and eliminates the need for implants to create a natural bust. If you’re self-conscious about your breast size or shape, breast augmentation can help increase self-confidence and improve the contours of the breast. 

The surgery is performed under general anaesthetic and takes up to 3 hours. Your plastic surgeon carefully removes excess fat from unwanted areas like the thighs, stomach, or waist during the procedure. The fat is then transferred to the breasts to boost volume and improve the overall shape. The surgery has two phases: the liposuction phase and the fat injection phase. Your surgeon will use tiny injection sites to distribute the fat evenly into your breasts. 

You can also use fat grafting techniques to optimise breast shape during a breast implant procedure. If you have irregularities after breast implants, fat transfer can help fill in the irregularities and produce a smoother, more optimal shape. 

If you find that you have breast defects following a lumpectomy for breast cancer, fat grafting techniques can help to fill in these defects. Fat grafting may also be an option for total breast reconstruction following a mastectomy. 

Brazilian Butt Lift

The Brazilian butt lift is also known as butt augmentation. The objective of the procedure is to enhance the bum and size in a way that’s not too invasive. The procedure uses fat transfer to the buttocks. This means that fat is taken from one part of the body, like your thighs, and transferred into the bum. The procedure aims to improve shape and fullness. 

BBL is a popular procedure for those seeking to lift the butt and enhance the contours of the body. A Brazilian butt lift is a way to improve your bum using fat transfer. What this means is that your surgeon uses fat grafting techniques to remove fat from one part of your body and injects it into the bum. Your surgeon uses only the highest quality of fat. 

Only the highest quality fat cells are injected into the buttocks. The fat is harvested, purified, and prepared for grafting before being injected into the body. This method has surpassed traditional techniques like implants to create more natural-looking results and fullness in recent years. 

The surgery is divided into three stages: 

  1. The fat is removed from the body using cannula tubes.
  2. The fat cells are washed and prepared
  3. The fat is injected back into the body.

It’s important to know that a Brazilian Butt lift comes with its own unique risks. It’s a very complex surgery that requires expert knowledge and experience to perform. There is a high number of post-op incidents with this procedure. This is because the treatment is very popular, and some surgeons who are not qualified are performing the procedure for an attractive price. 

What are the Benefits of Lipofilling?

There are several reasons why fat transfer is increasing in popularity. Many people prefer this type of procedure as you don’t use any external chemicals or foreign objects. It’s thoughts to be a more natural approach to body enhancements. Fat transfers are one of the most common procedures for lip enhancements. You can smooth out almost all types of irregularities in the body. 

Benefits of fat transfer surgery include:

  • Improve body contours 
  • Enhance breast size
  • No foreign objects or chemicals 
  • Smooth out appearance
  • Effective body remodelling surgery 
  • Increase volume in cheeks and chin 

How Long Does it Take to Recover From Lipofilling?

In the majority of cases, patients usually go straight home after fat transfer surgery. You may experience some bruising and swelling in the first few days, but this should subside after 1 week. You will need about 1 week off work. 

The recovery process can differ depending on your type of treatment. Treatments like a Brazilian butt lift and breast fat transfer surgery require more recovery time than face and hand fat transfer treatments. Your surgeon will talk you through your individual recovery timeline during your consultation. 

When Will You See Results?

You will see improvements in shape and fullness immediately. Swelling will subside after about 4 weeks, and the fat will be settled in place after 3 months. 

Are the Results Permanent?

Fat grafting provides a permanent and long-lasting result. Anywhere from 30-40% of fat may not survive, so you may need additional sessions to achieve the desired result. Complex procedures, such as post-mastectomy or lumpectomy defects, may require multiple sessions to achieve optimum results. 

Are Fat Transfer Procedures Painful?

During the procedure, you should expect minimal discomfort levels. Afterwards, mild bruising should take up to 1 week to subside. In the first few days, expect mild discomfort in the treatment area. Any discomfort should ease in 2 weeks. 

Who is a Suitable Candidate for Lipofilling?

A good candidate is physically healthy, has realistic expectations, and has a positive attitude. They have a steady and healthy weight and are within their ideal weight. They do not have serious medical illnesses or conditions. It’s important that you don’t smoke or have any circulation problems. 

You may consider fat grafting surgery to:

  • Improve body contours
  • For use after breast reconstruction surgery 
  • Revise scars
  • Rejuvenate hands and breasts 
  • Increase breast size and fullness 
  • Improve sunken facial areas

When Can You Resume Normal Activities?

Most patients find that they are most restricted for the first 2 weeks after fat grafting surgery. You may need to wear a compression garment for several weeks, depending on the area treated. You should be fully recovered and back to normal activities in 4-6 weeks. 

What are the Potential Risks and Side Effects of Fat Transfer to the Body?

It’s important to be aware of all potential risks and side effects before committing to any surgery. Here are the potential risks of fat transfer surgery: 

  • Infection 
  • Bleeding 
  • Hematoma
  • Anaesthesia risks 
  • Skin and or fat/necrosis 
  • Fluid accumulation 
  • Pain 
  • Swelling 
  • Poor wound healing
  • Poor scarring 
  • Nerve injury 
  • Contour irregularity
  • Seroma
  • Over/under correction
  • Asymmetry
  • Damage to other structures
  • DVT
  • PE
  • Chest infection

To book a consultation today, please call 0203 582 4947 or email [email protected].