Fat transfer is a technique that removes a patient’s own body fat (autologous fat) and relocates it to another part of the body to add volume. The fat is redistributed from a fatter area of the body to an area deficient in fat, such as the face, breasts or buttocks. This procedure has become a popular alternative to other fillers or implants. It is considered by many to be a more natural way to round out body contours. Many women do not want an unnatural implant placed in their bodies. Because it is the body’s own fat, it does not provoke an allergic reaction which can be a problem with bovine-derived collagen. There are also no visible scars with this remarkable procedure for body sculpting. The benefits of using fat transfer solutions to cosmetic problems will be discussed during consultation with Dr. Khalifeh at either of his office locations: Chevy Chase and Frederick, Maryland.

In order to undergo fat transfer or fat grafting to build volume in specific regions of the body, a woman must have enough body fat for the procedure.  The three most common sites for fat transfer are the breasts for enlargement of cup size, the buttocks for a Brazilian buttock lift, and the face for contouring.  Surgery takes place at Dr. Khalifeh’s accredited surgery center and lasts for three to five hours. Under general or twilight anesthesia, fat is removed using slow, gentle liposuction from areas where the fat is tightly packed, such as the inner thigh, abdomen or outer hip. Care is taken not to disrupt the cells excessively.  Fat is a very delicate tissue and maintaining the integrity of the tissue helps to retain bulk in the transplanted sites. Fluid is allowed to separate from the fat and the fat is spun briefly in a centrifuge. This will separate out dead cells and purify the fat cells. The result is many living, clean fat cells ready for injection. After purification, Dr. Khalifeh injects the fat in tiny amounts into the preferred sites with a microinjection technique that assures a higher transferred cell survival rate.  The blood vessels in the surrounding tissues must grow into the fat to supply it with blood, nutrients and oxygen. Injecting large amounts of cells will result in more cells dying. The surgeon’s purification and injection technique will ensure natural results with little resorption of the fat cells by the body over the following years.

Any discomfort after the procedure can be controlled with pain medication. The treatment site may be swollen for up to thirty-six hours depending on the particular procedure.  After the buttock lift, a compression garment must be worn and no pressure may be put on the buttocks for three weeks. This means no sitting! Any minor bruising on the face can be covered with makeup. Recovery is one to two weeks and work may be resumed after one week. Stitches are removed in one to two weeks, and strenuous activities may be resumed after two weeks.

Possible complications, while rare, may include bleeding and infection, fat resorption, and interference with mammography reading of the breasts.