Fat Removal, Fat Transfer, and Body Contouring Procedures
Autologous Fat Transfer
In any sculpture whether in stone or human body, the artist needs raw material. For body sculpting procedures, especially when large volume displacements are required, plastic surgeons often rely on human fat. Autologous Fat Transfer, also known as Autologous Fat Injection, is a procedure that removes human fat, taken from a place on a patient’s body where it is abundant, such as the hips, abdomen, or thighs, and moves it to an area that requires volume to smooth and improve shape. AFT is particularly useful where fillers are not practical, for example, breasts and buttocks.
Available fat is harvested using standard liposuction techniques. Once enough is collected, the fat is purified and then injected into the areas targeted for treatment. For quality control purposes, collected fat is purified to eliminate damaged or unhealthy cells. Between 50 and 30 percent of fat cells are lost during this process. The procedure is minimally invasive with relatively rapid healing and recovery. There is minimal scarring, which can be easily hidden.
Fat Transfer to the Breast
One of the most popular applications of Autologous Fat Transfer in Body Sculpting is breast augmentation. Natural breast augmentation using fat transfer, substitutes unwanted fat for an implant prosthesis. While the change in size is not a radical (up to one cup size) as with an implant a fat transfer can deliver a softer more natural looking shape, while removing some of the risks specific to implants. Notwithstanding the fact that a patient’s body may reabsorb some of the transferred fat, mitigating size improvement, the technique is attractive for patients seeking a relatively small increase in breast size or those needing simply to tweak the form and appearance of their breasts, without a lifitng effect.Fat Transfer to the Face
While fillers have been a workhorse for surgeons treating age and weight loss related facial problems, facial rejuvenation using fat transfer can offer results that are as natural looking and appealing as those achieved with temporary dermal fillers. These fat grafting techniques are used on all areas of the face: cheeks, lips, eyelids, and mouth. Just as with breast fat transfers, injecing fat into the face will not achieve a lifting effect, having the same effect as dermal fillers, adding volume and smoothing wrinkles.Fat Transfer to the Buttocks
Almost everyone has heard of the Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) procedure, which also utilizes fat injections to the buttock in order to fill, shape, and lift the buttocks. Compared to buttock implants, the BBL can create softer, more natural-looking results with fewer risks. Because a larger volume of fat is harvested and utilized, the surgeon is able to reshape (reduce) other problems areas such as hips, thighs, and waist, resulting in a transformed and sexier shape.Other Body Contouring Alternatives
Laser Lipolysis
Beyond Fat Transfer, there are a number other techologies for patients wishing to removing fat deposits. Laser Lipolysis is one such technology, which was developed to help cosmetic surgeons target unwanted fat in a more precise way. Like traditional liposuction, a cannula is used, however this tube contains a laser. When inserted into the problem area, the laser liquifies the fat and the cannula suctions it away. Heat generated be the process, will tighten and contract surrounding tissue, adding some smoothing effects to the process. The laser does not affect muscle and nerve tissue, causes less pain, promotes faster healing and minimizes bruising.Cryolipolysis
The cryolipolysis procedure is another non-surgical method to remove fat by freezing (killing) fat cells. A surgeon will deliver precisely controlled cooling to gently and effectively target subcutaneous adipose tissue, i.e., fat cells underneath the skin. Once crystallized (frozen), the patient’s body naturally eliminates these dead fat cells through a gradual metabolic process called apoptosis. The technique can reduces volume by up to 25% in the targeted area.Ultrasonic Lipolysis (VASER)
VASER stands for “Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance”. It is a liposuction technique that uses ultrasound sound waves to break up and liquefy fat cells, making them easier to extract.The used of High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) technology is a well established technology having been previously used in treating various medical such as prostate cancer, uterine fibroids, and brain disorders.
In practice, the VASER transducers contained in an applicator, enable the destruction of fat cells by guiding ultrasonic waves to heat targeted tissue, disrupting fat cell structure, inducing necrosis, while leaving the surrounding tissues unharmed. The overall effect is reduction in fat volume while creating a tightening effect to the treatment area.
Radiofrequency Lipolysis
Yet another useful technology in the never ending battle against troublesome body fat is radio frequency-assisted lipolysis (RFAL).Like other procedures previously discussed, this method also works to liquefy and remove fat from targeted problem areas while tightening the skin. A RFAL device will apply thermal energy heating up fat cells, melting and liquefying fat tissue. Over time the body will remove the liquefied tissues and eliminate them from the patient’s body.
Older patients with skin lacking elasticity are good candidate for the procedure. It also performs well with cellulite deposits. It is known to stimulate the production of collagen and accelerate lymphatic circulation, essential to a healthy metabolism.