Fat Transfer to Body
A well-contoured body procedure considers proportion and how each area interacts with the other. Fat transfer to the body solves two concerns at once: it removes unwanted fat from areas that are resistant to fat loss and places the same tissue in areas where contour is lacking. Dr. Glenn Vallecillos is a board-certified Beverly Hills plastic surgeon who approaches fat grafting as a sculptural process that uses a patient’s own biology to refine shape. The goal may be to restore volume to the buttocks, balance a narrow frame at the hips or rejuvenate the hands. In each case, he customizes the plan to the unique proportions of the patient.
What Is a Body Fat Transfer?
Fat transfer to the body, or autologous fat grafting, relocates a patient’s fat from one area to another. Because the material used is yours, the risk of rejection is low. The procedure has three phases: liposuction at the donor site, purification of the harvested fat and reinjection into the recipient site. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, fat grafting in areas like the breasts is a growing category in aesthetic surgery because of the increased desire for natural-looking results.
Dr. Vallecillos performs standard fat grafting for larger-volume contouring, such as the buttocks and hips, and micro-fat grafting for delicate areas. While fat transfer adds volume and shape, it cannot tighten loose skin, so it is often paired with other procedures for more complete contouring.
Am I a Candidate for Fat Transfer to the Body?
Determining candidacy involves identifying where extra volume is desired and making sure there is enough donor fat elsewhere on the body to create the desired results. Patients should be healthy enough to withstand the entire procedure. In addition to your overall health, you may be a good candidate if you:
- Want natural-looking results using your own tissue
- Want refinement in more than one area
- Are interested in long-lasting outcomes
- Desire a softer or subtle feel compared to implants
- Do not smoke or are willing to stop
Several factors may impact your candidacy, including very low body fat, severe skin laxity, unstable weight or medical conditions that will interfere with safe healing. Dr. Vallecillos will go over all of this during your consultation and find the right solution for your goals.
How is Fat Transfer Customized for Each Patient?
During a fat transfer, the donor site selection varies. Dr. Vallecillos may choose to take the fat from the abdomen or flanks to provide a flatter contour that contrasts well with fuller buttocks or breasts. Other patients wish to remove fat from the thighs or upper arms. The amount of fat that is reinjected is different for each patient. Some patients want more noticeable results, while others are looking for subtlety.
Dr. Vallecillos uses the Puregraft® Purification System, a closed-system filtration technology that provides fat that is up to 97% free of contaminants. The system removes free lipids, blood cells, tumescent fluid and anything else that could trigger inflammation or graft loss. Puregraft preserves the regenerative properties of the fat and gives patients more predictable results.
Procedure Walkthrough
Preparation
In the week leading up to your surgery, discontinue blood thinners, NSAIDs and supplements that thin the blood. Stop smoking for several weeks before and after your surgery. Some patients will require an ECG and lab work within 30 days of the surgery.
Anesthesia
General anesthesia is typical for larger-volume cases. A local anesthetic, pain medication or Pro-Nox may be used for smaller transfers.
Fat Harvest
Dr. Vallecillos pre-marks the donor sites and makes incisions in discrete locations. Then he injects a tumescent solution that contains lidocaine for pain and epinephrine to reduce bleeding. The fat is removed from the area using a cannula.
Purification
The fat is processed through the Puregraft system and then placed in syringes for injection.
Reinjection
Purified fat is injected using micro-cannulas into areas where there is enough surrounding vascular tissue for it to establish its own blood supply.
Closure
The incisions are closed, and a compression garment is applied to the donor area to reduce swelling and encourage a shapely contour.
Recovery and Aftercare
Recovery will be largely shaped by the location of both the donor and recipient sites. The experience is comparable to focused liposuction recovery, with the added consideration of protecting the grafted area while it establishes a blood supply.
What to expect:
Week 1
You will have the most swelling and bruising during this time, along with soreness. You will need to wear your compression garment continually over the donor site. If the buttocks are a recipient area, you will need to avoid sitting on the grafts. Light movement, like walking, is helpful and encouraged.
Weeks 2 to 4
During this time, your swelling will go down, and you will be able to go back to work if you have a desk job. Continue wearing your compression garment according to Dr. Vallecillos’s guidance.
Months 2 to 6
The fat that survives engraftment becomes a permanent part of the recipient tissue. Some natural reabsorption occurs early on.
Complementary Procedures
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a good candidate if I'm relatively thin?
Am I a good candidate if I'm relatively thin?
Patients with lower body fat can still be candidates, though the available volume for transfer will be more limited. Dr. Vallecillos will assess your donor sites carefully to determine whether enough viable fat can be harvested to meet your goals.
How long do fat transfer results last?
How long do fat transfer results last?
The fat that survives engraftment is permanent. Once the transferred adipocytes establish a blood supply, they behave like native fat, which is why weight stability matters for long-term results.
Will all of the transferred fat survive?
Will all of the transferred fat survive?
Some reabsorption is expected and is built into the surgical plan. Typical retention rates range from 50 to 80 percent depending on technique, recipient site and patient factors. The Puregraft Purification System and meticulous layering help maximize survival.