Fat Grafting

A fat graft is a procedure where your own fat is used to “fill in” other areas of your body, such as your lips, cheeks, or the back of your hands. Fat grafting can be combined with traditional liposuction – after the fat for transfer is removed.

Cheek augmentation can be performed by using a fat transfer to enhance the cheeks and add volume or lift to the cheeks. This can help correct sagging of the face that occurs with age.

Lip augmentation can be performed by using a fat transfer to enhance the lips – making them fuller or improving the contour. This can make you look more youthful.

Hand rejuvenation can be performed by using a fat transfer to “fill in” the hollow or collapsed areas on the back of the hand. This fat can also help hide prominent veins that contribute to older looking hands.

Breast augmentation can be performed by using a fat transfer to increase the size of the breasts. This can increase fullness of the breasts, and improve balance or symmetry.

These procedures are performed in Kaiser Permanente’s operating suite, most commonly with local anesthesia, but may include intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. The technique involves removing or harvesting excess fat from around your mid-abdomen through a tiny incision at the edge of your navel. Even if you are thin, there is usually adequate fat to successfully rejuvenate small areas like the cheeks, lips or hands.

After the fat is removed, it is prepared through a series of steps that preserve the stem cells present in the fat. Great care is taken to ensure the fat is healthy and able to maximally survive when transplanted. The fat is then transferred by small syringes and small needles. There is usually no need for any sutures.

Your Kaiser Permanente plastic surgeon will work closely with you. Be prepared to discuss your expectations and desired outcome. Make sure to address all your questions and concerns.

Aspirin, Motrin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and some over-the-counter herbal medications must be discontinued at least two weeks prior to surgery. These and other drugs and substances may cause excess bleeding and bruising. You can usually begin taking them again after a week or so.

If you are a smoker, it is important to quit at least four weeks prior to surgery and refrain from smoking until four weeks after surgery to ensure your wounds heal properly. Your plastic surgeon will discuss this in detail with you and you will also be given a list of common medicines to avoid for a short period. Your plastic surgeon will detail the risks associated with surgery. Plan to have a family member or friend drive you to and from your surgery appointment and stay with you for at least one night following surgery.

Following your surgery, bandages will be applied to your incisions. In addition, your abdomen may be wrapped in an elastic bandage or compression garment to minimize swelling. You will be given specific instructions on how to care of your incisions, including any medications that you may need to take. We will arrange for your follow-up visit at our Kaiser Permanente office.

For most plastic surgeries, there are no sutures to remove. It is most common to use absorbable sutures which melt on their own within a few months. You can shower the day after your procedure but should stay out of the ocean or pool for a week or so. Moderate swelling and bruising can last up to two weeks, but complete resolution of swelling may take much longer. It is important to avoid strenuous activity for two to three weeks after surgery to avoid bleeding and other complications. Most patients find they can return to office work after a week.