When it comes to cosmetic operations, very few are as advanced as the fat transfer procedure. Also known as fat grafting, this treatment can be used to augment almost any area of the body, and it might be exactly what you need to restore your confidence. Thousands of fat grafting operations are now being carried out every single year, and those procedures can create natural-looking results with very few drawbacks. Here is a quick glimpse at a few more reasons why fat grafting has become so popular over the last decade.
The Basics of Fat Grafting
While every fat transfer procedure is highly personalized, this type of operation is typically broken down into two steps. The first thing that the surgeon is going to do is harvest fat cells from one area of the body. The fat is sometimes taken from the abdomen, but many patients prefer the back, hips, or thighs. Once that fat has been removed and refined, it can then be injected into any number of treatment sites. When the fat is injected into the face, it can give the patient a more youthful appearance by minimizing age-related blemishes. Other patients have the fat injected into the breasts or buttocks to enhance their curves.
Setting Up Your First Meeting
Well before your operation is carried out, you will need to spend a little bit of time speaking with Dr. Mark A. Chin. That first meeting is going to be very important because it will give the surgeon a chance to look over your medical history and learn more about your cosmetic goals. Due to the nature of this procedure, quite a bit of planning must be done beforehand. You will also have the opportunity to speak with Dr. Chin about any questions or concerns that you might have. At the end of the initial consultation, you and the surgeon can set a date for your operation.
What to Expect During a Fat Grafting Operation
What takes place on the day of your operation is going to depend on many different variables, and that includes where the fatty tissue is going to be harvested from, how much tissue is going to be removed, and the injection site. As a general rule, this procedure is going to take at least two or three hours. If a very small amount of fat is going to be used, then Dr. Mark A. Chin might suggest a local anesthetic. For larger extractions, an IV injection that puts the patient completely to sleep is usually preferred. Once your anesthetic has taken effect, the fatty tissue can be harvested and refined.
The refining process is very important because it is going to remove dead cells, damaged cells, and excess fluid from the fat. After it has been refined, the adipose tissue can then be separated into multiple doses. Your surgeon is going to determine how many CC’s will be needed based on the extent of the alterations. The final step in the process is carefully injecting the fat into the treatment site.
Your Recovery
One of the reasons why this procedure has become so popular is because the recovery is very quick. Even for a relatively large treatment site, you should be back on your feet within a week. For smaller treatment sites, you might be able to resume most activities after 24 hours. The benefits of your procedure are then going to last for years as long as you follow all of the aftercare instructions and remain as healthy as possible. When the results begin to fade, you can easily schedule a touch-up appointment for additional treatments.