Fat Grafting in Orange County
Autologous Fat Transfer
Fat grafting is a procedure that uses your body's own excess fatty deposits to fill depressions in the skin that make you look older or make your skin appear unhealthy.
Reasons to Choose Fat Grafting
Patients often turn to fat grafting as a more natural alternative to popular injectable fillers. While these injectable fillers work wonders, the idea of using excess material (fat) from your own body is appealing to some patients. Those who desire fat grafting often do so to correct:
- lines and wrinkles
- depressed scars
- hollow skin
- laugh lines
- thin lips
In order to undergo fat grafting, you must have adequate surplus fatty tissue at the donor site—often the hips, thighs, midsection or buttocks. You should also have realistic expectations for the result of the procedure. While the correction does not last a lifetime, it can have long-term benefits for the appearance of your skin.
FAQ About Fat Grafting in Orange County
The plastic surgery team at UC Irvine has provided answers to some of the most popular questions about fat grafting in Orange County. If you would like further information, please schedule a consultation.
How does it work?
Fat grafting is actually performed in two steps—first, excess fat is removed from the donor site, then it is injected into the treatment site. To remove the fatty tissue from the donor site on your body, your plastic surgeon will perform liposuction using a thin tube called a cannula. He will make a small incision and remove a conservative amount of fat. The fat will then be purified and prepared for injection. When the fat is prepared, your plastic surgeon will inject it carefully beneath the surface of your skin at the treatment site. This will provide an immediate correction of the depression. Your incision will then be closed with sutures and surgical dressings will be applied.
What happens after surgery?
Your recovery time following fat grafting should not last more than a few days as your incision heals and any swelling in your face dissipates. If you experience any discomfort, your plastic surgeon may prescribe medication to help manage it.
Why should I choose UC Irvine for fat grafting?
As highly trained and experienced plastic surgeons, the team at UC Irvine knows how to make minor adjustments to the appearance of your skin and its underlying structures in a manner that achieves optimal results. Therefore, they are the ideal practitioners to perform your fat grafting treatment and help create more even, beautiful skin.
What are the most common risks involved with fat grafting?
Risks associated with fat grafting are few but may include infection or swelling. If you have further questions about side effects or risks, please ask your plastic surgeon during your consultation.
The surgical team at UC Irvine is eager to help you learn more about fat grafting in southern California. We encourage you to call us at 714‐456‐3077 to schedule your consultation today or contact us by email.