Fat grafting is a procedure that involves the transfer of body fat from one body part to another. It is useful in adding fullness to an uneven or sunken area. Patients undergoing full or partial mastectomy are great candidates for the procedure. East Windsor fat grafting can help disguise and smooth an implant’s edges.
Also called autologous fat transfer, fat grafting is widely used in breast reconstruction, especially after mastectomy or radiation therapy. It involves two procedures, fat removal (liposuction) and fat injection. Before your surgeon injects you with the harvested fat, they prepare it through purification.
How should you prepare yourself for the procedure?
Before you decide to undergo the procedure, ensure you have a qualified and experienced surgeon. Before the procedure begins, your doctor will instruct you on what you can or cannot do. The instructions ensure the procedure is successful and reduce any risk factors or complications.
For a successful fat grafting procedure, follow the below tips:
- Don’t eat for eight hours or drink for six hours
- Don’t apply anything to the area where the fat will be injected
- Wear comfortable clothing
- Stop smoking
- Organize for someone to take you home after the procedure
- Take off time from work
In addition to the above, ensure that you are a healthy weight before the procedure. It would be best to eat well so that your surgeon will have a good source of fat.
What happens during the procedure?
Your cosmetic surgeon will perform the procedure while you are under general anesthesia. During the procedure, your surgeon will remove fat from specific body areas using liposuction techniques. Your abdomen and thighs are good sources of fat used in the procedure.
Depending on the treatment area, you can undergo more than one treatment. After harvesting the fat from your abdomen or thighs, your doctor will prepare it before transferring it. Your surgeon will inject small amounts of fat into the designated area using an injection.
Benefits of fat grafting
One of the primary benefits of fat grafting is adding volume to areas that lack volume or are sunken. Women undergoing mastectomy or breast cancer treatment like radiation therapy stand to benefit from this procedure.
Other benefits include:
- Removing fat from areas where it is not needed
- It improves the skin
- It fills in wrinkles
Risks or complications of fat grafting
- Fat necrosis
- Skin irregularities
- Infection
- Prolonged edema
Recovery
After the procedure, you should get as much rest as possible. Ensure that you have pain relieving methods to ensure painless healing. Try and keep off pressure on the areas where the fat was injected. Avoid rubbing the fat-injected areas. For the first two weeks, avoid doing anything strenuous. To ensure optimal healing, you should also avoid activities that burn fat.
If you are considering the fat grafting procedure, you must speak with your doctor first. Visit Dr. Matthew J. Lynch, who will evaluate your needs and expectations and recommend what to do. Call or book an appointment online and enjoy improved skin and volume.
