What is fat grafting (lipofilling)?
Fat grafting, also known as lipofilling or fat transfer (injection), is a surgical technique that involves the removal of autologous fat and its reinjection into another part of the body.
The fat transfer procedure
The purpose of fat transfer is to improve the aesthetics of the treated area or to increase the volume of the area into which the fat is injected.
The technique is performed by a surgeon and includes:
- Extracting fat (from love handles, abdomen, or hips) by liposuction.
- Processing the fat in special centrifuges.
- Reinsertion of the purified fat into the area to be improved.
The different uses of fat grafting
Fat grafting is a procedure that can be used to treat various aesthetic problems. In this regard, it can provide :
Breast augmentation
Lipofilling is a procedure that can be used for breast augmentation. This procedure consists of performing an "additive breast lift", that is, increasing the volume and improving the profile of the breasts without using breast implants.
This procedure is the most valid and suitable alternative for patients who do not wish to have breast implants.
Today, fat grafting is also used as an adjunct to breast augmentation with implants, providing better coverage of the edges of the implant and offering a solution in cases of limited coverage of breast implants by soft tissue. Fat grafting can also be used to improve the shape of the breasts in addition to breast lift techniques.
In addition, the hybrid technique of breast augmentation using a combination of implants and fat grafting has a low complication rate and is known to be safe, simple, and fast.
Breast Reconstruction
In some cases, fat grafting is also used for breast reconstruction after mastectomy (removal of breast cancer).
Lipofilling is a procedure that can correct breast asymmetry, treat capsular contracture of breast implants, and correct deformities from lumpectomy or breast healing.
Facial Rejuvenation
Facial lipofilling is also a technique used to fill facial lines and wrinkles. It restores the volume of the face lost due to aging, and in addition, the high content of stem cells present in the fat tissue has a tissue regenerating effect, restoring radiance to the skin and subcutaneous tissues of the face.
The injected fat adds volume to sunken or wrinkled areas, such as the eye area and nasolabial folds. It helps repair scars, adds volume to the cheeks for higher cheekbones, and improves the texture and appearance of the skin.
Buttock augmentation
Buttock lipofilling is a technique to reshape and augment the buttocks without the need for prostheses. This procedure is indicated for :
- Women who have underdeveloped, flat, sagging buttocks.
- Women who wish to have fuller, shapely, or rounded buttocks.
Buttock augmentation is usually performed under local anesthesia with intravenous or general sedation. The results of this procedure are visible within 2 to 3 weeks after the procedure, with a completely natural-looking buttock.
This is one of the procedures that are widely used in cosmetic surgery in Turkey today.
Other Uses of Lipofilling
Fat transfer is a widely used technique in cosmetic surgery, not only for aesthetic purposes (anti-aging) but also to treat fibrotic conditions such as post-surgical scars and radiation injuries. It can be effective in correcting congenital defects such as cleft lips and facial deformities.
