Treatment Process

Your Procedure

Fat injections to treat minor or limited areas may be performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthetic.

Fat injections that are more extensive or combined with other procedures should only be performed in an accredited surgical facility, most commonly on an outpatient basis.

The area from which fat will be extracted will be prepped with antibacterial solution and treated with anesthetic. Either manual suction in the form of a syringe or liposuction using a cannula and powered vacuum suction will be used to extract fat from the donor site, typically your abdomen, buttocks, thighs or hips.

The fat will then be processed to remove excess fluid and to retain viable fat cells.

In the same treatment session during which the fat has been extracted, the area to be treated with fat will be prepped with antibacterial solution. The area may also be treated with anesthetic, unless you are under general anesthesia as the result of accompanying procedures, such as a facelift. The fat will then be injected to the treatment sites.

Some of the harvested fat may be frozen for future use to refine your outcomes.

After Your Injections

The results from fat injections are visible immediately, although they will be exaggerated by the amount of swelling and fluid retention you will experience.

You may experience minor discomfort at both the donor site and where the fat has been injected. You will be swollen and bruised. Cool to cold compresses can help to minimize swelling and discomfort. You may take an over-the-counter pain medication, or your doctor may prescribe medication for you. Depending on the extent of your procedure, you may experience several days to weeks of “down time,” where you may feel self-conscious in social situations or in a public setting.

Your Results

The results of fat injections are generally permanent, although some of the fat will naturally reabsorb within the first year after treatment. For this reason, some doctors will suggest that you “over-correct” in order to achieve your desired outcomes.

If you should gain or lose weight, this will alter the outcomes of your fat injections.