Fat transfer surgery has significantly evolved over the last few years, with improvements in fat graft survival, expanding its applications to a wide range of cosmetic surgery procedures. Fat transfer surgery is now commonly combined with a facelift, also known as a ‘lift and fill’ facelift. Breast augmentation is no longer limited to implants, as fat transfer can achieve natural-looking results. The Brazilian butt lift (BBL), also known as fat transfer to the buttocks, has revolutionised body contouring surgery with results that surpass those possible with buttock implants. Using your own body fat for amazing body transformations has now become a reality.
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Having said that, fat transfer involves a degree of unpredictability beyond the surgeon’s control. Not all fat transferred successfully to another area will survive. When the fat successfully integrates into its new location, it behaves like fat everywhere else in the body, meaning it is prone to changes with weight gain or loss and is affected by the natural ageing process. Fat transfer involves removing excess fat from an area of the body using liposuction. The fat is then processed to remove impurities before being injected into another area such as the buttocks, breasts or face. The fat has to become accustomed to its new environment, and several factors can influence the survival of fat cells. Achieving the best long-term fat transfer results means following specific recommendations, as discussed below.
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It is best to have fat transfer surgery sooner rather than later
As we get older, there is a wide variety of cosmetic treatments that can produce impressive anti-ageing results. However, the results of specific procedures, such as fat transfer, can depend on your age. Achieving the maximum possible fat cell survival means ideally having this procedure before age 50. After this age, fat cell survival can be negatively affected regardless of how fit and healthy you are. There are several reasons why this is the case. When fat is removed from one area of the body and injected into another, it is essential that the highest-quality fat is used. When we are younger, fat has a better-developed blood supply that supplies the vital nutrients fat cells need for survival. This rich blood supply diminishes with age, which negatively affects fat cell survival.
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Younger patients also have greater skin elasticity due to higher collagen levels, which confer skin firmness. When facial fat transfer is performed, the procedure’s success is significantly determined by the quality of the patient’s skin. Long-lasting fat transfer results are achieved with firmer skin, which better supports the transferred fat. This does not necessarily mean fat transfer surgery is unsuitable for older people. Fat transfer results may not last as long, so it is best to have it earlier to get the very best results, which you can enjoy for a more extended period of time.
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Choosing a specialist plastic surgeon with expertise in fat transfer
The most important priority when conducting research on fat transfer surgery is your surgeon’s skills and experience. It is essential to select a specialist plastic surgeon who regularly performs fat transfer procedures. You are more likely to achieve the best results when surgeons perform this procedure in high volume, as they will have more experience across all aspects of the procedure, including the management of potential complications. A Brazilian butt lift, or BBL, is one of the most popular fat transfer procedures in the UK. The BBL procedure involves harvesting fat from multiple body areas using 360 liposuction. The fat is then injected into the targeted buttocks areas using an ultrasound-guided BBL technique. The surgeon’s experience matters as patient safety is the top priority when performing fat transfer to the buttocks.
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In most types of fat transfer procedures, it is realistic to expect 50%-70% fat survival. This is a regular part of any fat transfer procedure, and your surgeon will account for the loss of fat cells when injecting the fat. Achieving the highest fat survival rates requires knowing exactly where and how to inject the fat cells. After harvesting the fat, it must be appropriately processed to remove impurities before it can be re-injected. This is why it is essential to have state-of-the-art equipment to achieve the highest fat cell survival rates. Single-use equipment is necessary for any fat transfer procedure to minimise the risk of cross-contamination and potential wound infection.
Although patients may have preferences for where they would like the fat removed, the best-quality fat is generally found in the abdomen and thighs. A specialist surgeon will always recommend harvest from these areas to achieve high rates of fat cell survival.
Be patient in the fat transfer recovery period.
Immediately after any fat transfer procedure, there will be a significant degree of swelling, which is a normal side effect of fat transfer surgery. The area injected with fat may initially appear larger than it will eventually be. Some people may be disappointed by this, particularly with specific surgical procedures such as a Brazilian butt lift or fat transfer breast augmentation. In a small number of cases, your surgeon may recommend minor touchups once you have fully recovered from the procedure to achieve optimal results. When considering fat transfer, it is essential to have realistic expectations about the volume enhancement achievable with fat grafting.
It takes time for your body to adjust to having fat cells transferred to another area. The final results of fat transfer can take approximately three months to become noticeable. In some cases, it can take between 6 months and 1 year for final results to develop, particularly with BBL surgery.
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You can maximise fat cell survival by following your surgeon’s postoperative instructions in full. This means avoiding certain lifestyle habits such as smoking. Smoking has adverse effects on fat cell survival. You should avoid overdoing it during the first six weeks after surgery. Strenuous exercise should be avoided for at least six weeks, including going to the gym. Healthy eating habits should be maintained throughout the recovery period and beyond to maintain a high level of fat cell survival.
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Maintain a healthy lifestyle with good nutrition.
Fat cells do not increase in numbers but can increase or decrease in size. Significant fluctuations in weight can adversely affect fat transfer results. Once the fat has become integrated into the new body area, the fat cells will shrink with weight loss and expand with weight gain. The best advice is to maintain a stable, healthy weight through plenty of physical exercise. Minimising stress will help to avoid overeating. Smoking can impair blood flow to fat cells. A diminished blood supply from smoking will directly affect the quantity of fat that survives. These tips will help you get the most out of your fat transfer procedure. Although any type of fat, including transferred fat, will be affected by the ageing process, maintaining a healthy lifestyle will allow you to enjoy the results of fat transfer surgery for longer.
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Why choose Centre for Surgery for fat transfer?
Centre for Surgery is the leading cosmetic surgery clinic in London and is home to some of the best fat transfer specialists in the UK. We have many years of experience in all types of fat transfer, including facial fat transfer, breast augmentation with fat transfer, and Brazilian butt lift surgery. Call us today on 0207 993 4849 to book an in-person consultation at our state-of-the-art Baker Street clinic in Marylebone.
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