Patients in Fort Worth often ask Dr. Steele if they can use their unwanted abdominal or thigh fat to augment other parts of their body. Fat grafting, or fat transfer surgery, offers the best of both worlds: liposuction is used to remove unwanted fat from areas with too much and then the fat is transferred to areas of the body with too little fat, creating more desirable contours. This treatment is highly versatile and can improve the appearance of the face, breasts, and buttocks. Fat grafting procedures are very safe and effective because they use the patient’s own fat instead of an implant or filler. This is a common type of body contouring procedure that has improved the lives of many people.
Surgical Techniques
Fat grafting is very effective at restoring lost volume in the cheeks, lips, and the peri-orbital (around the eyes) area. Dr. Steele routinely performs fat grafting with his facelift procedures for optimal results. In addition to adding volume and smoothing wrinkles, there is early evidence that stems cells in the transplanted fat can also improve skin quality and texture.
While still controversial, there is increasing evidence regarding the safety of using fat in lieu of breast implants for adding breast volume. Benefits include little scarring, avoidance of an implant, and shorter recovery; however, fat cannot be placed into the breast tissue, only around the breast tissue. As a result, only small volumes can be placed at one time, so the procedure typically requires several treatments for optimal augmentation.
Fat grafting is a powerful tool for improving breast appearance after breast reconstruction. Whether your breasts are reconstructed using your own tissue or with silicone implants, fat transfer in Fort Worth can improve symmetry, add volume, and improve contours. Dr. Steele routinely performs fat grafting during the second stage of implant-based reconstruction. The effect is significantly improved contour in the upper breast and optimal symmetry.
Buttock augmentation with fat, commonly called the Brazilian Butt Lift, is very effective. Many women will notice loss of buttock volume after pregnancy and weight loss; others notice this with time; and still others never developed their “assets.” During a Brazilian fat augmentation Dr. Steele will remove targeted fat from the hips, flanks, abdomen, and thighs and then use the fat to shape and augment your buttocks. The result is a fuller and more shapelier buttocks.
