Fat transfer, also known as fat grafting, is a procedure that strategically harvests fat from specific areas of your body. The final separated product is relocated into predetermined treatment areas to enhance and improve any irregularities, divots, depressions, and loss of volume from your face, breasts, hands, buttocks, and genitals.
Your surgical outcome from a fat transfer can be long-lasting. Reabsorption of tissue is possible as some fat may struggle to create a new blood supply. You can expect fuller, softer, and refreshed, natural-looking results.
Healing time varies by individual, treatment area, and size. Depending on your daily routine and how strenuous your job is, most candidates can return to their normal activities, within reason, as soon as three days to 1 week, although healing can persist for 3-6 months or longer. Since this is a 2 in 1 procedure, recovery can vary from areas that were liposuction vs. areas where fat was grafted. Bruising is expected and will fade in several days. Swelling may take longer, persisting from several weeks to even several months. Compression garments are encouraged to be used daily anywhere between 6 weeks to 3 months, to reduce these side effects. The recovery process is a journey; patience is highly recommended, as your body will have fluctuations in healing. Remember to follow home care instructions and keep up with any post-operative appointments to ensure results.
Liposuction and fat transfer are safe with relatively few side effects when performed in the proper setting. Although the risks are generally low, possible side effects such as bruising, swelling, infection and pain can be reduced with proper adherence to post-operative care. Since we are reintroducing your own fat cells back into the body, allergic reactions from the transfer are extremely rare. Ambulating regularly after your procedure will decrease the chances of blood clotting, and speed up the recovery process by increasing blood flow. Your medical team at Arike will provide detailed instructions for at-home care and pain management.
