Fat transfer, also known as fat injection or fat grafting, is a procedure in which a person’s own fatty tissue is removed from one area of the body and then transferred for enhancement to another specific part of the body. Fat is commonly removed from the abdomen, flanks, thighs or other area of excess. It may then be transferred to anywhere on the body, although there are three locations that are most popular and these include the breasts, the buttocks, and the face.

Fat transfer to the breasts provides a natural solution which uses a woman’s own fat to increase her breasts by as much as one to one and one-half cup sizes. For buttock enhancement, also referred to as the Brazilian buttock fat transfer or lift, fat is transferred to the buttocks to create a rounder, more prominent and more lifted look. For facial enhancement, fat transfer can restore a more youthful appearance by filling in wrinkles, lines and hollows as well as acne scars.

Because fat transfer involves the removal of fat, many people mistake this procedure with liposuction. However, fat transfer is a much more difficult and involved procedure. Fat cells removed with traditional liposuction are discarded and, thus, the nature of those cells is unimportant. With fat transfer, however, the cells are reused. This requires that they be removed from the body in a very precise and gentle manner because fat cells are very fragile in nature. Furthermore, in order to ensure the highest possible rate of survival, the fat cells must be purified and then re-injected using microinjection techniques.

Dr. Khalifeh performs fat transfer procedures in his accredited surgery center in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Surgical time average three to five hours and either general anesthesia or twilight sedation may be used. Total recovery takes approximately one to two weeks. During this time, patients may experience some degree of swelling, bruising and discomfort. Stitches are generally removed after one to two weeks. Within one week, most patients find that they can return to work, though strenuous activities and exercise will need to wait until two weeks after surgery. Complications are typically minor and rare but may include bleeding, infection, fat resorption, and interference with mammography in the breasts.

The main downside to fat grafting has always been that the body tends to absorb the fat to some degree. However, when performed in a precise manner by a qualified surgeon like Dr.Khalifeh, fat transfer procedures can assure a higher transferred cell viability rate, allowing patients to enjoy years of natural results with little resorption.