Why would I have a fat transfer?
Fat transfer is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure to move fat from one part of the body to another. It uses your own fat to fill in areas of the body that requires more volume. It is mostly used to address problems in the cheeks, lips, lower eyelids, breasts, and buttocks. If you experience sunken cheeks, deep groves from the nose to the corners of your mouth, or disappearance of fat from your cheekbones, you can consider undergoing this procedure. You can also undergo fat transfer if you want to enhance your lips, increase the size of your breasts, or have a more rounded and fuller buttock.
What are the benefits of having a fat transfer?
It allows you to slim one area of your body while enhancing another, such as:
- Help tighten your tummy
- Reconstruct your breasts following lumpectomy
- Increase the size of your breast
- Gives you a fuller buttock
- Plump up your lips
- Makes your appearance more youthful
- Rejuvenate your hands.
What is the recovery time?
In general, you should be able to return to work and most of your normal activities within two weeks. If your fat transfer is used for buttock augmentation, sleep on your stomach and keep standing for about 4 weeks. It may take around 6 months until the full result shows since some of the injected fat may be reabsorbed by your body through the first several months.
How long will I need to stay in the hospital after my procedure?
Since fat transfer is an outpatient procedure, you can leave the hospital on the same day. In some cases, an overnight stay in the hospital is advised, particularly if a large area is being treated. The procedure itself only takes a couple of hours to finish.
How long should I expect to stay overseas after my procedure?
After you are discharged, you cannot leave the country right away. You should stay for about 10 to 14 days following the surgery to attend follow-up check-ups and to let your body heal and for your doctor to monitor your health as well as the results of the procedure.
What aftercare should I take into consideration?
Your doctor will provide detailed instructions. Avoid any excessive movement and strenuous activities during your recovery period. It is recommended to have a friend or a family member help you during the first few days following the surgery.
What’s the success rate like?
The success rate of fat transfer ranges between 76% to 85% depending on what the procedure is used for. The most common side effects are temporary numbness, bruising, and swelling. These side effects should subside within a few weeks. Occasionally, fat transfer can result in complications, such as fat necrosis (death of fat tissue), infection, blood clot, and excessive bleeding.
Are there alternatives?
There are other procedures you can consider if you don’t want to undergo fat transfer. The procedures are dermal fillers, breast implants, breast reconstruction, tummy tuck, liposuction, and cheek augmentation.