Will the Effects of Fat Grafting Last?

Fat grafting involves transplanting excess fat from one body area to another, such as the face, hands, breasts, and buttocks, to correct, remodel, volumise, and rejuvenate.

The beauty of this customised treatment is that it also removes excess fat from other parts of the body (donor site) such as the abdomen, love handles, thighs or buttocks.

In recent years, fat grafting therapeutic benefits have also been documented in healing wounds and scars and its ability to repair damage to (breast) tissues due to radiation treatment. As it uses a patient’s fat, the chances of tissue rejection are significantly decreased, which is one of its enticing and convincing factors.

Fat grafting to breasts

According to Dr. Ivan Puah, ADR-C Breast Enhancement is a popular option at the clinic for post-breastfeeding mothers with saggy, droopy, and “empty” breast issues. It is also popular among women with smaller breasts seeking to increase their cup size without going through the breast implant route. In Singapore, there is a reported 20% increase in women who chose to increase their cup size via fat grafting instead of implant procedures. Women love fat grafting for their natural and long-lasting results and associated safety. Another significant benefit of fat grafting, according to Dr. Ivan Puah is that you won’t need to remove or replace the fat, unlike breast implants, which are advised to change every ten years or so.

The advantages of fat grafting for breasts include the following:

• Increasing the breast size.

• The ability to correct breast asymmetry

•  Improving the breast shape

Fat grafting to buttocks

The current pandemic has raised the awareness of staying healthy, and fitness activity has seen a rise in both men and women. Buttock enhancement is more sought after than ever as people want to look good while exercising and showing off the results. Who doesn’t want to look good in the latest athleisure wear that’s been the rage recently?

Fat grafting to the buttocks is suitable for those with a substantial amount of excess fat elsewhere on the body that is available for harvesting and who desire fuller and rounder buttocks without using implants. Fat grafting to the buttocks provides a more natural look. Compared to buttock implants, there is a lesser chance of complications such as fluid collection, implant displacement, or capsular contracture.

Fat Grafting to Hands

Hands are also getting the fat grafting treatment. Ageing causes skin laxity and fat loss in the body, and this includes the hands. Not many know that the hands are giveaways to a person’s age, and neglecting to care for them can lead to a “skeletal” and “translucent” appearance.

Fat grafting to hands significantly improves skin quality, covers visible blood vessels, and provides “padding” to plump up wrinkled areas.

Facial Fat Grafting

The face is arguably the most well-taken care of in our appearance. The signs of ageing, daily “wear and tear” due to factors like the environment and others, are clearly visible on the face. Therefore, it’s not hard to understand why facial fat grafting is popular - everyone wants to put their best face forward.

Facial fat grafting is for those seeking a more youthful appearance. It is done under local anaesthesia. Compared to dermal fillers, fat grafting results are longer lasting and less likely to cause an allergic reaction.

The other benefits of facial fat grafting also include the following:

• It helps to restore a more youthful appearance by adding volume to hollowed-out or wrinkled areas such as below the eye, temples, and forehead

• It helps in repairing scars

• It adds volume to the cheeks to create the appearance of higher cheekbones

• It also helps to improve skin texture and appearance, such as acne scars and acne pits.

Fat Grafting doctor in Singapore

Like all other body sculpting treatments, Dr. Puah believes that fat grafting combines art and science. An experienced doctor knows the needs of his patients and thus understands the amount of fat that needs to be removed, where it should be removed from, and most importantly, the technique to attain desirable results.

Fat Grafting Process

There are THREE steps in fat grafting.

• Fat extraction - Done via liposculpture or liposuction from the donor area, which is the area on the body where excess fat is present.

• Fat processing - The fat the separated and cleansed.

• Fat reinjection - The fat is then reinjected into areas where it is needed.

Side Effects Of Fat Transfer

Fat grafting is generally safe, but there are some things to be aware of. Some of its side-effects include (but are not limited to):

• Minor bruising and swelling

• Temporary numbness

• A certain percentage of fat resorption from the treatment area

Will the Effects of Fat Grafting Last? Are Fat Transfer Results Permanent?

When performed correctly, fat grafting is highly effective and also long-lasting.

Some factors when it comes to the longevity of results are:

• A doctor’s experience and skill - This includes how the fat was harvested, purified and injected. A skilled doctor with a comprehensive understanding of the applicable technique can determine the longevity of the fat grafting results.

• How your body responds and adapts to the transferred fat is also a factor. To survive, injected fat must establish a new blood supply to tap into the nourishment it needs. If this is successfully achieved, the results of fat grafting are often long-lasting. Still, there are instances where a certain percentage of fat fails to do so, and when this happens, a secondary procedure may be necessary.

• Unhealthy lifestyle choices like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption also impact the longevity of results. So do bear in mind to make subtle changes when needed.