Autologous fat injection is a cosmetic procedure that involves transferring fat from one area of the body to another. The term “autologous” means that the fat is taken from your own body, making it a natural and biocompatible filler. This procedure is often referred to as fat grafting or fat transfer.
How Does it Work?
- Harvesting Fat: Fat is typically extracted from areas with excess fat, such as the abdomen, thighs, or hips. A liposuction technique is used to gently remove the fat.
- Processing the Fat: The extracted fat is then processed to remove impurities and prepare it for injection.
- Injection: The purified fat is injected into the desired areas, which can include the face, breasts, buttocks, or other body parts. This helps to restore volume, improve contours, and enhance overall appearance.
Benefits of Autologous Fat Injection
- Natural Results: Since the fat is your own tissue, the results look natural and harmonious with your body.
- Volume Restoration: It can effectively address volume loss due to aging or weight fluctuations.
- Contouring: Helps to improve body contours and create desired shapes.
- Potential for Long-Lasting Results: While some fat may be reabsorbed, a significant portion can remain in place for a long time.
Common Areas for Treatment
- Face: Can be used to fill in lines, wrinkles, and hollows, giving a rejuvenated appearance.
- Breasts: Can enhance breast size and shape, providing a more natural look than traditional implants.
- Buttocks: Can augment the buttocks, creating a fuller and more lifted appearance.
- Other Areas: Can be used to treat scars, improve hand volume, and correct imbalances in the body.
Risks and Considerations
As with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks involved. These may include:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Swelling
- Numbness
- Asymmetry
- Fat necrosis (death of fat cells)