LIPOFIXING Fat Harvest/Transfer to Face, Hands & Breasts
Autologous fat (transferring ones own fat) is today’s number one filling agent for loss of volume and creases on our faces, wrinkly hands and to increase volume in the breasts. As we age the appearance of creases on our face is inevitable and our hands start to show their age. Even though these creases and wrinkles are part of the normal ageing process and there is nothing we can do to stop it, we can fill out these areas with fat, thus making them decrease or appear less prominent.

As we get older, we start to loose fat from our upper face. This loss of fat and associated loose skin starts to show in the cheek area, giving us a sad, gloomy look. By placing the fat in the upper third of our face we produce an uplift effect, reshaping the face to the more youthful years.

As well as losing volume from the face, the backs of the hands can also loose volume. Therefore autologous fat is the ideal filler to rejuvenate the back of the hands, as well as the nasal labial folds (mouth to nose grooves) and to enhance cheekbones or any body depression.

Fat transfer to the breast area was formally approved by The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery at their annual meeting in April 2006, in Orlando, Florida. This technique is used in patients with smaller busts or older women whose breasts have reduced in size or drooped, after having children. The average increase in bust volume is generally one cup size, therefore, implants are the best option if you want larger breasts.

Since it is the patient’s own fat there is no risk of rejection and no possibility of allergic reaction. This procedure is mainly used to produce a more youthful look and for re-contouring of the face & hands and creating volume in the breasts. Other parts of the body my benefit from the fat transfer, such as perfecting indentations in the legs or bottom.

BEFORE YOUR SURGERY

It is a requirement under the Human Tissue Act 2004, that all patients wishing to have their fat stored have a detailed blood test prior to the procedure. This blood test must include the standard profile of a Full Blood Count, Biochemistry Profile, ESR & INR together with the legislation requirements of; HIV 1& 2, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C & Syphillis. Each patient will be asked to sign a consent form for this test to be completed & will be offered the counselling services from our colleagues at Number One Healthcare, should this be required.

Two weeks before the surgery, you should not take any medications containing aspirin (acetyl salicylic acid), since these products affect the bloods clotting mechanism and therefore may lead to excessive bleeding during and after surgery, hence resulting in increased bruising. Taking high doses of vitamin E preparations, eating large amounts of garlic and consuming alcohol can also produce the same result and should be avoided. If pain medication is necessary, we recommend you take ibuprofen/paracetamol.

It is in your own best interests to quit smoking, at least two weeks before and until 2 weeks after surgery. It is well known that smoking causes narrowing of the blood vessels, which leads to a decreased blood supply to the skin, thus slowing and interfering with the healing process.

YOUR FAT HARVEST PROCEDURE

This procedure is performed at our Dubai Healthcare City Clinic, either under local anaesthesia or light sedation. Sedation is a state in which you will be unaware of what is going on and pain free, however this is not a general anaesthetic so you will not be “put to sleep”. If you are having the procedure under sedation, you must arrange for someone to collect you and stay with you overnight.

Once the harvesting site (area) has been determined (generally the abdomen, but fat may be harvested from the hips and thighs), the area is anaesthetised. Next the fat is harvested with a 1-2 millimetre cannula. The fat is then mixed with a solution called albumin to clean and preserve the fat. The area requiring rejuvenation is anaesthetised and the fat is placed with a blunt cannula.

The amount of fat put in each area is always more than needed. The reason for this is that we know that initially, approximately 30% of the injected fat will be absorbed by the body, the rest will stay. We always keep some of the patient’s fat in our fat bank freezer. Therefore if in the future you need more rejuvenation to an area, we already have the fat ready to apply. Most patients need around two to three sessions, but by having the fat stored in our fat bank there is no need to harvest it again. Pathological studies have shown that we can still use the fat for up to two years after harvesting. The cells of the adipose tissue (fat) maintain all their anatomical and physiological properties for this duration.

When transferring fat to the breast area, in certain cases, all the fat that is harvested will be injected, in other cases, it may be stored in the fat-bank for use at a later stage. This will be decided by the surgeon, and will depend on the amount of fat that can be taken, the breast shape, and the loss of volume some patients will have in their breasts.

AFTER YOUR PROCEDURE

After your procedure you will stay for about half an hour, (two hours when having sedation) during which time the nurse will explain your post-operative instructions and the tablets, which you will need to take (painkillers and antibiotics). We may place some ice over the treated areas to minimise any swelling. You can expect some slight swelling for the first 48 hours. Occasionally patients develop ecchymosis (bruising), which usually disappears within 5-7 days. They are very easy to cover up with makeup.

You will have a compression bandage on the area where the fat was harvested from, which needs to remain in place for one week. There will also be a suture (stitch) at this site, which is removed after one week. You will need to return to the clinic after one week for the nurse to remove the bandage and suture, as well as to check that everything is healing well.

All Surgery carries some uncertainties and risks

When performed by a qualified surgeon, complications from a Fat Harvest are infrequent and usually minor. Nevertheless, there is always a possibility of complications, including reaction to the anaesthesia, infection, haematoma (bleeding under the skin), bleeding – resulting in increased bruising, temporary swelling and a slight asymmetry in healing or scarring. You can reduce your risks by closely following your surgeon’s instructions both before and after surgery.

Fat Harvest with GPS recover system

All fat transfers are carried out using the GPS System, which is the most advanced procedure available that can ensure better fat survival, thus ensuring your results are longer lasting. A blood test is taken during your fat harvest procedure & the sample placed into a centrifuge machine. The centrifuge machine spins the blood separating just the platelets. These platelets are then mixed with the fat tissue & the fat tissue re-injected into the patient’s required area and/or frozen for later use for up to 2 years.

If you have any further questions or queries about this procedure, please feel free to call and speak to either Dr Roberto Viel, Dr Maurizio Viel or any of our nurses. Please note that it is necessary to attend a consultation prior to your operation, this is also the case with existing patients, it may also be necessary to have repeat blood tests.

POST OPERATIVE Rest for 24 hours after surgery.

Take all antibiotics as instructed.

Avoid aspirin and alcohol for 48 hours.

After one week, you may remove the bandages at home. Massage the area where the fat has been removed from using moisturiser. This area may feel sore, hard to the touch & you may have some bruising. This is normal & will subside in approximately 2-3 weeks.

Your stitches will dissolve in approximately 7-10 days.

Return to the clinic in 4-6 weeks time for your first fat top-up injection.

Please note, that your fat will be stored for 2 years only.

Fat Injection to Face: Keep your head elevated for first 24 hours & try to limit facial movements for the first 48 hours. On occasion, bruising may occur & ice-packs & arnica cream are recommended.

Fat Injection to Hands: this area bruises very easily, ice-packs & arnica cream are recommended to aid with the healing.

Fat to the breasts: After the treatment the area may feel quite hard, this is normal and will soften within 2 – 3 weeks. You may massage the area gently, after 3 days. Return to the clinic 2 weeks after your treatment for your review with the surgeon.

Research has shown that when a support bra (not a sports bra) is worn consistently for 2 weeks after treatment, this helps maintain your new breast shape.

Contact the Surgeon/Clinic if you have increased pain, bleeding, fever or marked swelling.