Fat Graft

What to Expect with Fat Grafting

Fat grafting is the cosmetic procedure of using a patients own fat to add volume to a desired area.  The most common use is to rejuvenate the face.  Other uses include injection into a flattened buttocks, underdeveloped calves, and in the back side of “boney” hands.  The concept is very similar to that of the cosmetic fillers (Restylane®, Juvéderm™, & Prevelle Silk).  Dr. Newall uses your own fat to fill in lines and depressions much like he would with these synthetic products. 

As one gets older the skin tends to loose volume.  Fat grafting is a very safe procedure to replace volume and restore a more youthful appearance.  What is truly unique about fat grafting and what separates it from other procedures such as cosmetic fillers is that by using your own fat you eliminate the possibility of any allergic reaction.  The other upside is that the volume restored by fat grafting may last for months and in many cases years.  Some plastic surgeons even believe 20 – 40% will remain for the rest of your life.

Dr. Newall would be happy to discuss fat grafting as an option for you.  In some situations fat grafting can be done as in office procedure but these are usually small cases.  Moderate to large amounts of fat grafting are usually done under general anesthesia and is often combined with other procedures.  The process includes harvesting fat via liposuction from one area of the body, usually the abdomen, and spinning it down in a centrifuge to separate the fat from the rest of the tissue and fluids.  The fat is then transplanted into the desired areas.  Dr. Newall has performed hundred of fat grafting cases and is highly skilled at this procedure.