How Long Does a Fat Transfer Last?

Before we dive into answering “how long does a fat transfer last?”, let’s talk about what a fat transfer is and what the procedure involves.

What is a fat transfer?

The term fat transfer – also known as Autologous Fat Transfer and Fat Grafting – refers to the process of taking fat from a donor area, purifying it, then injecting it into a targeted area to build youthful fullness. Fat transfer is a wonderful way to use excess fat to restore youthful volume to the face, hands, breasts, and body naturally.

Because fat transfer is one of the trickier cosmetic procedures, the key to successful, long-term results is selecting the right surgeon. Whether you are interested in a fat transfer, breast augmentation, facial fat grafting, or something else, only a highly- skilled, board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience and talent can provide you with the youthful appearance you desire.

What is involved in a fat transfer procedure?

In a fat transfer procedure, the fat grafting process involves 3 main steps:

Collection

First, fat from the donor sites must be collected in a way that keeps most of the cells alive and unharmed. Like a typical liposuction procedure, fat cells are extracted with a thin cannula, except with Fat Transfer procedures, suction and pressure is applied very slowly and gently, to protect the cells.

Process

Next, the fat is processed to separate the good, living cells from all the other parts extracted. At Belcara Health, our surgeons use a centrifugation process in which the cells are spun at a high speed – proven to be the most effective method of eliminating unwanted excess fluids and dead cells.

Fat injection

Then, your surgeon will apply the purified fat to the areas targeted for enhancement. Again, the technique, experience, and skill of the surgeon are critical to the success of your results. Fat cells must be injected with low pressure and in small amounts so that they can connect with the surrounding tissues and establish a blood supply quickly.

Fat transfer surgeons often slightly overfill the targeted area because it is normal for a certain percentage of cells to not survive.

Fat transfer recovery

It is important to protect the fat cells after they have been injected by minimizing swelling. This is also critical to a speedy recovery from a fat transfer surgery.

For fat transfer breast augmentations and body fat grafting procedures, supportive garments should be worn for at least four weeks.

For facial fat transfer procedures, we recommend patients sleep on their back with their heads elevated. Cool compresses and anti-inflammatory medications are also very helpful in the prevention of swelling.

It is critical that each step of the fat transfer procedure is performed with great care. The board-certified plastic surgeons at Belcara Health have the experience, expertise, and artistic talent to help you achieve a naturally enhanced, more youthful appearance.

How much does a fat transfer cost?

A fat transfer in Baltimore cost varies, depending on the patient and procedure at hand. Fat transfer procedures begin at $8,000. It is important to note that this is a general estimate only