Fat transfer is an advanced cosmetic procedure that utilizes your body’s own adipose tissue for body contouring and volume restoration. Autologous fat is the ideal filler material because it is biocompatible, does not stimulate an immune system reaction, is readily available and convenient, and has the added benefit of reducing fat in unwanted areas. (1) Many people desire fat transfer to address concerns related to aging, weight loss, or simply to achieve a more youthful and vibrant appearance. Whether you want to enhance your facial contour, increase the size of your breasts or buttocks, reverse the effects of aging in your hands or face, or more, you can benefit from a fat transfer procedure. 

Contact us today to request a consultation.

Dr. Joseph Michaels has countless hours of experience in fat transfer procedures and has gained a trusted reputation for success in the DMV area. If you would like to improve your appearance with a fat transfer, take the first step by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Michaels today. Michaels Aesthetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery is proud to offer breast fat transfer, buttocks fat transfer, facial fat transfer, and hand fat transfer to our Maryland and Virginia patients.

To find out more about a fat transfer procedure, please feel free to call either our Rockville (301) 468-5991 or Fairfax (703) 957-8610 office, and we will be happy to assist you. 

About Fat Transfer

Fat transfer or fat grafting procedures remove unwanted excess fat deposits from your body and then inject the harvested fat into areas of your body that you wish to improve with more volume or contour. The procedure is performed in a three-step process: fat grafts are harvested with liposuction, the fat is then cleaned and processed, and the purified fat is then injected into the target areas. (2) Fat transfer may be considered a better medium than dermal fillers and implants because the fat comes from your own body. Since fat transfers use your fat, there is no risk of rejection or allergic reaction. Additionally, fat transfers do not need replacement like implants and dermal fillers. 

Fat Transfer Procedures

At Michaels Aesthetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, we offer the following fat transfer procedures:

Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation

A fat transfer breast augmentation procedure, or natural breast augmentation results in youthful breasts while obtaining a desirable shape to suit your figure. Breast fat transfer can be performed for women who have naturally smaller breasts or those who have lost volume after weight loss or pregnancy. In these situations, Dr. Michaels often combines breast fat transfer with a breast lift or mastopexy if the breast shape and nipple position also need to be rejuvenated.

In general, breast fat transfer can achieve an increase of one to two cup sizes. This procedure can restore shape and contour to your chest while maintaining the natural feel of your breasts.

You may be a suitable candidate for a breast fat transfer procedure if you:

  • Have small breasts
  • Have asymmetrical breasts
  • Have an undesired breast shape
  • Desire a modest change in breast size
  • Want an augmentation with a natural appearance
  • Have realistic expectations

Breast fat transfer also results in minimal scarring because it does not require incisions to be made on the breasts (unless performed in conjunction with a breast lift). Additionally, patients maintain a natural feel.

Facial Fat Transfer

The aging process often involves the loss of facial fat and the slowing of collagen production. In turn, this can result in a tired, sunken appearance. Nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and bags underneath the eyes may become more prominent. A facial fat transfer restores a refreshed, youthful appearance by taking fat from one area of the body area and injecting it into certain points of the face to improve facial contour. Although facial fat transfer can be performed as a standalone procedure, it is commonly combined with surgical facial rejuvenation procedures such as a facelift, brow lift, or neck lift.

Fat can be injected into the cheeks, lips, temples, under the eyes, jawline, chin, and nose for a non-surgical nose job. While dermal fillers aim to achieve similar results to a facial fat transfer, they do not last nearly as long as filler fat. Dermal fillers require additional injections every year; fat transfers do not require additional injections unless the patient wants more contouring.

Brazilian Butt Lift

The Brazilian Butt Lift is a type of fat transfer procedure that augments the buttocks with fat harvested from various problem areas of the body. Fat is usually taken from the abdomen, flanks, and lower back to further accentuate the projection of the buttocks. The Brazilian Butt Lift results in youthful, prominent, and perky buttocks

Women interested in a Brazilian Butt Lift (or “Brozilian butt lift” for men) generally want to address and transform issues such as:

  • Flat buttocks
  • Small buttocks
  • Sagging buttocks
  • Asymmetrical buttocks
  • Disproportionate buttocks

Injecting fat into the buttocks restores shape, improves skin quality, and corrects loose, sagging skin. A Brazilian Butt Lift can also reduce the appearance of buttocks cellulite, improving both buttock size and skin texture. Many of our Brazilian Butt Lift patients experience a significant increase in self-confidence.

Hand Rejuvenation

Even if your face looks young, your hands can be the telltale sign that gives away your age, and a fat hand transfer can help keep it a secret! We expose our hands to environmental factors constantly. This can accelerate the aging process and result in gaunt, worn hands. Hand fat transfer procedures can restore youthful volume and reduce vein and tendon prominence with high satisfaction rates. (3)

Potential candidates for a fat transfer to the hands are typically seeking:

  • Youthful and rejuvenated hands
  • A reduction in the appearance of veins, tendons, and bones in the hands
  • To avoid the use of dermal fillers to rejuvenate their hands

Benefits

Each fat transfer procedure will offer different benefits depending on what is being accomplished. However, Dr. Michaels’ patients regularly experience:

  • Natural Results: Since the procedure uses your body’s own fat, it yields more natural-looking results than artificial fillers or implants.
  • Dual Benefit: Patients benefit from contouring both the donor site (where fat is removed) and the recipient area (where fat is injected).
  • Minimal Scarring: Liposuction incisions are small and often hidden, leading to minimal visible scarring.
  • Versatility: The technique can be used in numerous areas, giving it broad applicability for enhancing different body parts.
  • Reduced Risk of Allergic Reaction: As it uses your own tissue, there is a reduced risk of allergic reactions compared to synthetic materials.
  • Quick Recovery: Fat transfer is considered a minimally invasive procedure, leading to shorter downtime compared to many other more surgeries.
  • Long-Lasting Effects: While some of the transferred fat may not survive long-term, a significant amount can establish itself in its new location, leading to lasting enhancements.

Candidates

Fat transfer procedures are available to any patient who wants to improve their appearance. These procedures are especially beneficial for patients who want to avoid implants and other more invasive rejuvenation procedures. Patients who respond best to their procedures are those who:

  • Are in good overall health
  • Do not smoke (or are willing to quit)
  • Have enough body fat to safely harvest
  • Have realistic expectations about their results
  • Carefully listen to Dr. Michaels and work closely to plan an effective procedure

Personal Consultation

The consultation is an important step in the fat transfer process. This is the opportunity for you and Dr. Michaels to have a one-on-one discussion about your cosmetic concerns, including the areas where you would like fat removed and the areas you would like augmented or better contoured. A physical examination will determine if you have enough fat for transfer to achieve your desired results. In cases of breast augmentation, if a patient wants a large increase in size, they may be a better candidate for breast augmentation with implants.

Dr. Michaels wants to make sure that you are fully comfortable with your decision to move forward and that all of your questions and concerns have been addressed. If you would like to see how a fat transfer can benefit you, contact our Rockville, Maryland, or Fairfax, Virginia office today to request a consultation.

Procedure

Hand and facial fat transfer can be performed in the office under local anesthesia. Breast and buttock fat transfer will be performed under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis.

First, Dr. Michaels will mark both the fat donor and recipient sites and review them with you before the procedure. The appropriate anesthesia will be administered and the treatment areas will be cleaned.

Dr. Michaels will then begin by making small incisions at the donor locations. Donor locations are the areas on the body that the fat cells are harvested from, such as the abdomen, thighs, flanks, back, and arms. The fat is then cleaned and processed. Once purified, the fat is placed into syringes and can then be injected into the treatment areas using specialized cannulas. (2) When the desired result has been achieved, Dr. Michaels will close the incisions and wrap the donor locations in compression garments. These should remain on until otherwise instructed. The patient will then be taken to the recovery room to be monitored before being discharged home.

Recovery & Results

​​After a fat transfer procedure, it is recommended that you take some time off work. The exact amount of time will be expressed during the consultation after Dr. Michaels has had the opportunity to speak with you and perform an evaluation.

It is highly recommended that you walk after surgery to promote blood circulation. Pain medication can be prescribed to alleviate discomfort, but oftentimes Tylenol is enough. You should make sure to not apply pressure to the locations where the fat was injected to help ensure their viability. Please refrain from your normal daily activities for at least a week and strenuous physical activities for four to six weeks.

Most of the fat will remain where it is placed, but a small amount will naturally be expelled from the body; this is normal. Because of this, sometimes the doctor will slightly over-augment the treatment area to compensate for this. The results of a fat transfer procedure are long-lasting so long as you do not experience any large fluctuations in weight.

Cost of Fat Transfer in the DMV

The cost of a fat transfer depends on the particular procedure being performed. Combining additional procedures such as a tummy tuck, breast lift, or facelift will also alter the price. To receive a custom quote, request a consultation with Dr. Michaels. We offer various financing plans. If you have any questions, please get in touch with us.

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References

  1. Vasavada A, Raggio BS. Autologous Fat Grafting For Facial Rejuvenation. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557860/
  2. Shauly O, Gould DJ, Ghavami A. Fat Grafting: Basic Science, Techniques, and Patient Management. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2022;10(3):e3987. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000003987
  3. Conlon CJ, Abu-Ghname A, Davis MJ, et al. Fat Grafting for Hand Rejuvenation. Seminars in Plastic Surgery. 2020;34(01):047-052. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0039-1700960