Fat Grafting in Menlo Park, Atherton & Palo Alto, CA

 

Fat Grafting Is the Process of Removing Fat from the Body with Liposuction & Utilizing That Fat to Enhance Another Body Parts. If You Are Interested to Learn More About Fat Grafting or Other Cosmetic Surgery Procedures Dr. Weston Has to Offer, Please Call (650) 457-6291.

 
After unwanted body fat is removed during liposuction, the fat can be prepared for injection and used as an alternative to dermal fillers. Fat transfer is an effective, long-lasting option for wrinkle reduction, facial volume restoration and lip augmentation. This cosmetic procedure, which involves transferring fat from one body area to another, is also known as fat grafting.

If you’re considering fat grafting, Dr. Weston also offers non-surgical alternatives to fat transfer such as Sculptra®, Restylane® and JUVEDERM® injectable gel. Simply contact us today to find out which treatment will offer you the best possible results.

Is fat grafting right for you?

For patients who simply wish to remove unwanted body fat and sculpt a leaner body contour, liposuction alone is sufficient. However, if a patient also wishes to add subtle volume to areas of their face or lips, then liposuction combined with fat transfer or grafting may be recommended.

Fat grafting is most commonly performed to address the following cosmetic concerns:

  • Sunken cheeks or temples
  • Hollows and dark circles under the eyes
  • Facial wrinkles and creases
  • Asymmetric or a poorly defined jawline and nose contour
  • Thin lips

Some patients may wish to undergo fat transfer for breast augmentation. However, Dr. Weston does not recommend this procedure due to the risk of side effects including fat necrosis, lumps and cysts.

You must have an adequate amount of fat available for transfer to another area of your body in order to achieve the best fat grafting results. It is not possible to use fat tissue from a donor, such as a family member or friend, in a fat transfer procedure. The fat must be your own to ensure a safe and successful transfer process.

During your consultation, Dr. Weston will discuss your goals for body fat reduction, facial rejuvenation and lip augmentation, and conduct a thorough assessment of your health and medical history before recommending the best procedure for you.

What to expect during fat grafting

Liposuction is the first step in the fat grafting process. After your fat has been gently removed, it is processed and carefully injected in thin layers into the appropriate locations on your face to address your precise cosmetic concerns. The technique used for the fat transfer will significantly affect your outcome, so it is important to have your procedure performed by a fat grafting expert like Dr. Weston to ensure natural, beautiful results.

Fat grafting recovery

Local anesthesia is used during the fat grafting procedure, which takes about an hour to perform. If your local anesthesia is combined with IV sedation, you will probably need a ride home after the fat transfer is complete. Swelling and bruising may last up to three weeks, and makeup may not be applied until at least 24 hours after surgery.

Fat grafting results can be permanent; however, this all depends on how well the fat that was transferred is able to reestablish its blood supply after injection. Some fat will be reabsorbed by the body after the transfer process. This means that while you will see a volume increase immediately after your fat grafting procedure, it takes about two to three months to see your final results. Those results will be permanent for most patients, as the fat that “takes” will remain in the treatment area.

Fat grafting is a procedure that offers the dual benefit of sculpting one area of the body, while enhancing those problem spots on the face. To learn more about this procedure, contact Jane Weston, MD today at (650) 457-6291.