Fat Grafting

Fat grafting procedures are used to increase the volume of specific body areas. This body contouring technique is often used to enhance the lips, cheeks, breasts, or buttocks. During fat grafting, the patient's own fat cells are transferred from elsewhere on the body, such as the abdomen or thigh. This technique is favored by many West Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens area patients because it is all-natural, compared to similar techniques which use silicone implants or synthetic injections to achieve a similar result.

Is fat grafting right for me?

Fat grafting may be right for you if you'd like to fill in facial depressions or deep wrinkles resulting from the aging process. This technique can also be used to enhance the contours of body areas such as the lips, cheeks, breasts, or buttocks. Ideal candidates are at or near a healthy weight, but have some excess body fat available for transfer.

How much does fat grafting cost?

In the West Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens area, fat grafting treatments can cost anywhere from $500 to $4,000. These costs are heavily dependent on factors such as the area being enhanced and the volume of fat being transferred. If the fat is already being removed via liposuction, the added cost for a fat transfer procedure is typically lower than the complete cost for fat grafting treatment.

How involved is the fat transfer procedure?

This technique tends to be a little more involved than similar body contouring techniques because it requires a second surgical site where the fat is removed from the body. Still, the entire procedure is usually performed in two hours or less, and can be accomplished with local anesthesia. The first step to the fat grafting procedure is obtaining the fat from the patient's body via a thin needle or liposuction, depending on the volume of fat required. Common donor sites include the abdomen, thighs, or hips. Next, the fat cells are purified. Finally, they are re-injected through a thin needle into the targeted area.

How long is the recovery after fat grafting?

Fat grafting has a minimal recovery process. A bandage may be required on the donor site, the injection site, or both, depending on the extent of fat transferred. Some mild bruising, swelling, or tenderness may be experienced. Most patients are back to work within a day or two at the most. In the first 24 hours, avoid sun exposure and do not wear makeup over either of the body areas involved in the treatment. Eventually, the body does re-absorb the injected fat cells, and the area returns to its previous appearance. The rate of re-absorption varies greatly from patient to patient; some begin to notice this as early as six months after treatment, while others notice visible results for seven years or longer.

What should I do next?

For many West Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens area patients, fat grafting represents a natural way to enhance their facial appearance or body contours. Call Dr. Kapp today at (561) 833-4022 or fill out our online form for your consultation.