What to Expect During a Fat Transfer Procedure
Fat grafting can be completed as an in-office procedure using local anesthesia or in the operating room under general anesthesia.
During the patient’s initial consultation, the medical team will review their options for cosmetic services. If the patient opts for far transfer, the staff will create a plan for liposuction and subsequent injections, as well as address any concerns the patient may have. Typically, the fat cells used for the procedure are taken from the area of the stomach below the belly button using a fat-harvesting cannula, which is basically a thin tube. To collect fat cells, the doctor will need to make a small incision along the belly button that will require a suture or two. Bruising and soreness at the harvest site are common.
The incision site will heal after one to two weeks. Fat is then processed into micro fat or nano fat and injected into the face using a microcannula or a needle. The amount of time the appointment takes will depend on how much fat is grafted and the number of injections. Some patients have mild swelling from the injections. Bruising on the face tends to be minimal since a very small cannula is used to inject the fat. Facial swelling usually improves after about a week, while bruises will go away after one to two weeks. After the procedure is complete, the patient may want to take a few days to rest and heal.
If the fat transfer was performed under general anesthesia, the patient will need a friend or family member to give them a ride home. Light physical activity is recommended during recovery – patients should avoid high-intensity workouts for two weeks. The procedure is generally not painful. However, patients can take pain medications afterward if needed. Antibiotics also will be prescribed to minimize the risk of infection. In some cases, the body absorbs some of the injected fat cells. This may become noticeable in the weeks or months following the procedure. Additional injections of nano fat or micro fat can be administered if needed.
