Fat Transfer, also known as Fat Injections or Fat Grafting is the technique of moving fat from one area of the body to another to improve contour, correct defects, or enhance features, such as in Lip Augmentation. Similar, less permanent results can also be achieved with injections of fillers like Restylane or Perla
Fat transfer can be performed on patients of any age, with the average age being 48.
 
Surgical Technique
Fat is collected through a liposuction tube from the abdomen or hips and carefully prepared for re-implantation by rotating the fat in a centrifuge to separate the cells from the fluid. The fat is then inserted with a blunt needle and syringe into the preferred locations such as the cheeks, under the eyes, the lips or around the mouth for Lip Augmentation. Incisions are usually confined to small pierced wounds less than 0.2 cm in size.

Surgical Time and Recovery
Fat Transfer surgery is performed on an outpatient base with local anesthesia and usually takes about 90 minutes. Stitches are removed in about a week or resolved by their own. Patients can typically return to work within a few days to a week, although swelling may take longer to dispel.

 The amount of fat removed from the donor site is minimal compared to traditional liposuction surgery and will not change the appearance of that site. Fat transfer tends to be more lasting when injected around the eyes, and less so when injected for Lip Augmentation or around the chin and mouth. In such cases additional treatments may be necessary.

Related Procedures
Fat Transfer surgery or Lip Augmentation can be combined with facial implants, blepharoplasty, browlift, facelift, midface lift, necklift, botox, and chemical peels or laser resurfacing.

The Procedure for Fat Transfer
Either the area from which fat is taken or the area to be treated are anesthetized. A needle sticked to a syringe inserted onto the donor site in a location which has a thick layer of fat such as the lower stomach, thigh or buttocks. Cells of fat, aspirated or drawn into the syringe, are purified and then carefully re-injected into the recipient site. This action is repeated until the desired amount of fat has been transferred and the imperfection corrected. A pressure bandage is applied to the granter site and sometimes to the recipient site to avert blood clots and swelling. It usually requires three fresh fat transmit for full correction.

Fat Transfers for Buttocks Augmentation
If you have always wanted a firmer, rounder, higher rear end, you can turn to the alternative to buttocks implants that can be uncomfortable and impractical. In this method fat transfer (injection) is used to transform a flat butt into a perkier more attractive shape and size.

After Your Fat Transfer
There is minimal pain connected with the procedure and any uneasiness is controlled with oral medication. Patients can turn to their normal life right the day of surgery; though, vigorous activities should be avoided for some time.