Fat transfer, also known as fat grafting, uses the patient’s own fat for volume enhancement in the face, breast, or body. Fat is an ideal substance for grafting as it is abundant, natural, and generally low risk to harvest.
What areas are treated with Fat Grafting?
Fat grafting to the breasts – Also known as breast fat transfer or natural breast augmentation. This is really a win-win. Fat is taken from undesired areas and grafted to the breasts. The results are naturally beautiful larger breasts without an implant. This is possible for patients who have never had implants or even patients who currently have implants who would like them removed.
Breast fat transfer produces outcomes that are different than an implant breast augmentation. There is a limit to how much the breast size would be expected to increase with fat grafting. Most patients will achieve around one to two cup size increase with fat grafting. The volume of augmentation achieved is dependent on the starting breast size and shape and the volume of excess fat the patient has. The breasts after fat grafting are more naturally shaped than breast augmentation with implants. Implants generally give the breasts a rounder, larger, higher look than fat grafting. The procedure is ideal for patients who want a natural shape and conservative size or for patients who are worried about breast implants.
Fat injection to the buttocks/ buttock augmentation – Also known as the “BrazilianButt Lift”, fat grafting to the buttocks is gaining in popularity. Large volumes of fat are injected into the fat and subcutaneous tissue of the buttocks. Buttock augmentation typically involves sculpting and reducing the excess fat surrounding the buttocks in addition to filling the gluteal region.
Fat injections to the face – With aging, there is a loss of volume in the face. Fat injections can be used to soften the lines of the face, fill hollows, and lift empty skin of the cheeks and eyelids. When used for global facial rejuvenation, this is called a “liquid facelift”.
Fat injection to the lips – Used to give shape and fullness to thin lips. Used as an alternative to lip injections with temporary fillers or permanent lip implants.
Fat grafting for liposuction deformity – Overaggressive liposuction can result in hollowing. Fat injections can be used to correct the area of over-treatment.
Where does the fat that is grafted come from?
Fat is easy to harvest with modern liposuction techniques. Most patients have a few areas where they wouldn’t mind losing a little fat. Stubborn fat and fat the patient would like to lose is generally used.
How long do Fat Grafts last?
As opposed to most soft tissue fillers such as Sculptra, Restylane, and Juvederm, fat grafts can last forever. The goal of every fat grafting procedure is for the injected fat to “live” in its new location. With proper techniques, one can expect from 50 – 80% of the grafted fat to survive. For this reason, it is often necessary to have more than one fat grafting session to achieve full correction.
The Cost of Fat Injections
Generally, the cost of fat injections is more than an alternative procedure. For example, soft tissue fillers for facial rejuvenation are less expensive than fat injections. However, fat injections can result in permanent improvement.
The costs associated with fat injection include 1) surgeon’s fees, 2) anesthesia fees, and 3) facility fees. As Dr. Yates has an in-office operating suite, the facility fee is minimal. This is a cost savings directly to the patient. For a list of the costs of common procedures performed by Dr. Yates click here.
Patient Testimonial
“Such a trusting physician!!! Aside from his outstanding professionalism, respect, knowledge, and wisdom, this surgeon knows exactly how to achieve your desired looks without being pushy for something you may not really want. He makes sure you have all of the information you need to make the best educated decision yourself. My surgery was over a year ago and I have not had any concerns or complications. He, including his staff, are all wonderful to communicate with and you never feel like you have to wait days for a response. All of the staff were amazing to work with and I would recommend this practice to anyone wanting to enhance their looks according to your personal vision.”
How do I schedule a consultation or schedule surgery?
Contact Dr. Yates office or feel free to email him any additional questions you may have.
Office-Based Surgery Safety Information
Call 801.525.8741 and Dr. York Yates office in Layton, UT will be happy to answer any questions you have concerning fat transfer and fat grafting.