Fat grafting
In structural fat grafting, the doctor gently and manually removes fat via liposuction from one or more areas of the body. The fat then goes through processing to remove unwanted materials, isolating the living fat and associated stem cells.
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What Is Structural Fat Grafting?
In structural fat grafting, the doctor gently and manually removes fat via liposuction from one or more areas of the body. The fat then goes through processing to remove unwanted materials, isolating the living fat and associated stem cells. The surgeon then carefully places the processed fat in its new location. Structural fat grafting can augment the breast and buttocks, correct irregularities or deformities, or provide a more naturally shaped body.
Fat grafting process
The process of fat grafting involves three steps:
- extraction of the fat from the donor area with liposuction
- decanting, centrifugation, and processing of the fat
- reinjection of the purified fat into the area needing improvement
In the first step, fat is extracted from a donor area using liposuction techniques. This is best accomplished by manual methods using thin liposuction cannulas with small holes. Laser or ultrasonic liposuction should not be used for the extraction as it may destroy the fat cells.
The fat is then processed with decanting and centrifugation to separate debris, excess fluid, and dead cells from the viable adipose fat cells. An alternate method is to wash the fat with a sterile saline solution. The fat that is discarded are the fat cells which will likely not survive in the graft and they can even create problems for the good cells.
In the final step, the fat is reinjected in small droplets throughout the subcutaneous tissue of the recipient area. This is to ensure good blood supply to every fat droplet so that the fat graft can survive.
The amount of fat injected is measured in cc’s and ultimately varies according to patient case specifics and the area of the body where the processed fat is being injected.