Fat transfers have been used to fill in facial flaws such as hollowed cheeks and sunken eyes or indented scars. Today, fat transfers are used to augment many other areas of the body, including the buttocks, bicep, tricep, calf muscles, breasts, hands, and penis. Fat transfers are considered the traditional method for surgically rounding out the edges of a small localized area of the body as compared to the newer body implant approach in which implants are used to produce a more shapely appearance required by a larger area of the body.
The beauty of a fat transfer is that the materials used to augment the desired body part are your own fat cells. This makes the procedure unquestionably biocompatible and non-allergenic. Also, a body fat transfer feels more natural than a body implant.
Dr Tiong has excellent experience with fat cell transfer to face and hands. He does NOT do fat injection into breast as this procedure is NOT approved in Australia even though it is technically simple.
How is it done?
The procedure is often performed under sedation, which includes a combination of medications that make you feel sleepy and numbed, but awake.
The procedure varies depending upon the technique used and the area to be treated. The most commonly treated locations are the buttocks, chest, calf, and bicep or tricep muscles.
Antiseptic is applied to the location where the fat will be removed and the treated area, where the fat will be injected.
The fat cells are typically removed from the buttocks, stomach, or thighs using liposuction.
After the fat cells are removed, they are then processed and purified before the cells are injected beneath the skin.
in general, 70% of the transferred fat cells will die in most surgeons’ experience. For this reason, we will overfill the treated area to allow for the dissipation of transferred fat cells. Since many of the transferred fat cells may eventually be reabsorbed in the body, the results may be unpredictable.
The technique used by Dr Tiong can provide much better result and out come. Once the fat cells taken , the fat cell grafts is successful and therefore lasting a lifetime. Each time the procedure is repeated, more fat is accumulated in the treated area. This tends to offer longer-lasting results.If you do not want over correction, due to longer down time and facial swelling, you will need repeated injections at additional cost, from the frozen harvested fat.
How long does the surgery take?
The procedure may take up to 2-4 hours.
What should I expect during recovery?
There is typically some swelling and some bruising. The swelling may last for several weeks. However, bruising will subside within a few days. The treated area may be reddened within the first 48 hours. Discomfort can be managed with oral medications. Scabs may form at injection site as well. Normal activities can often be resumed almost immediately, except that you are advised to stay out of the sun. Patients should notice a marked improvement after the procedure. However, final results may not be evident for several months or longer.
What are the costs involved?
Surgeon fees start from $3,850*including GST.
*The cost of cosmetic surgery can vary (higher or lower), depending on the complexity of the procedure, the required results, cost of implants, aftercare treatment and the area of the body where the surgery is being performed. Further costs may be incurred for anaesthetist and hospital fees if applicable. For specific pricing information, please arrange a consultation with Dr. Tiong.