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Cosmetic Fat Injections

Fat Injections

Fat injections or the transfer of fat from one area of the patients body to another area was a natural evolution after the first liposuctioning procedures were performed more than 30 years ago. Dr. Lewis Obi began performing fat injections more than 25 years ago and has experienced increasing success in recent years. There have been almost no complications from autologous fat (the patient’s own fat) and is still currently the only safe and economical technique for large soft tissue volume replacement. It is often performed by Dr. Obi during facial cosmetic surgical procedures and/or with liposuctioning procedures. The procedure consists of extracting fat from the thighs or abdomen mechanically using a syringe and small 1 mm cannula so as not to damage the fat cell membrane. The fat cells are then rinsed, concentrated and inserted into special 1 cc syringes for injection. The fat cells are then injected into the face at multiple levels to enhance tissue uptake and revascularization (new blood supply). If the fat cells survive then a more permanent result may be expected. Typically, for diffuse facial rejuvenation more than 30 cc of fat may be injected into the frown lines, tear trough, cheek creases, cheek bone area, cheek hollow, marinette creases, ips, areas of cheek weakness and areas of contour irregularities. Overcorrection is generally performed since there is rarely a complete take of the fat cells. There may be some bruising at the donor site but rarely any permanent contour irregularities or scarring. In some patients it may be beneficial to perform this procedure 2 to 3 times over a period of 1 to 2 years. Dr. Lewis Obi has described this procedure as a Micro Fat Cell Transplant (MFCT).

In recent years, a few plastic surgeons have attempted to perform breast augmentations with the use of the patient’s own fat thereby achieving cosmetic improvement in both the donor areas as well as the breasts. However, the general consensus of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and of most reconstructive breast surgeons is that this practice is not recommended. With large volumes of fat transferred into the breast the fat may liquify with subsequent calcifications that may impair the accuracy of mammography and other diagnostic breast imaging procedures. Large volumes of fat has been safely used for buttocks augmentation but is laborious and unpredictable. We have been successful in using fat to correct contour irregularities in the body resulting from trauma or surgery. Finally, patients undergoing liposuctioning procedures should inquire about facial fat injections. However it does add additional operating room time and more cost to the patient.

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