Fat grafting is a surgical body contouring procedure that uses a patient’s own fat to restore volume, enhance shape, and improve contour in targeted areas of the body. This technique combines liposuction with precise reinjection of purified fat to achieve natural-looking, long-lasting results.
Fat also contains a high concentration of stem cells, which aid healing and decrease inflammation. Stem cells can be isolated (adipose-derived stem cells, AD-MSCs) and sent to an FDA-registered tissue bank for expansion and long-term cryogenic storage for your future use as desired.
Patients seeking fat grafting surgery in Las Vegas often prefer this more natural alternative to implants or synthetic fillers, using their own tissue for volume replacement and enhancement.
What Is Fat Grafting?
- Fat grafting is both a Science and an Art. It combines a three-step procedure involving fat removal, purification and sizing, and reinjection. Your own concentrated platelet-rich plasma (HD-PRP) is typically blended with the fat or injected at the graft site to accelerate healing and support graft survival.
- Fat can be harvested from the abdomen, flanks, thighs, or back using tumescent anesthesia and minimally invasive liposuction. The fat is processed under sterile conditions to remove supporting fibers, anesthetics, and blood. Then it is concentrated and sized for strategic injection into areas requiring volume enhancement. Macro or structural fat (up to a millimeter in diameter) is placed first. Then, micro and nano fat (progressively smaller and more liquid) are used to fill in the gaps and support healing and contour
- Fat is a more natural alternative to synthetic fillers and can last for years
- This approach to autologous (from you) fat transfer is widely used for both cosmetic body contouring and facial rejuvenation.
- Generally, 50-70 percent of the grafted fat survives for 5 to 7 years or more before being absorbed by your body.
- Areas that move more (like lips) tend to absorb more quickly
- If your weight changes, the volume of the graft may be affected.
Common types of fat transfer procedures in Las Vegas include:
- Fat transfer to the breast for natural breast augmentation or smoothing a deficit after lumpectomy improves volume, contour, and symmetry. Fat can be injected above and around an existing implant
- Fat transfer to buttocks (Brazilian Butt Lift / BBL) for enhanced volume and contour. Fat is gathered from the waist, narrowing the waist and exaggerating the size and contour of the buttocks. It can smooth cellulite to a degree
- Fat transfer to the face for facial rejuvenation and volume and symmetry restoration
- Fat transfer to the penis for girth enhancement
- Fat grafting to the labia majora restores volume and cushion lost with aging
This approach to autologous (from you) fat transfer is widely used for both cosmetic body contouring and facial rejuvenation. Generally, 50-70 percent of the grafted fat survives for 5 to 7 years or more before it is absorbed by your body. If your weight changes, the volume of the graft may be affected.
How Dr. Z Does Fat Grafting?
During fat grafting surgery at ARLV is performed in the OR. The procedure is performed in stages:
- Fat Harvesting – After tumescent anesthesia, liposuction is used to remove fat from donor areas such as the abdomen, flanks, thighs, or back
- Fat Processing – The harvested fat is purified, concentrated, and prepared for reinjection
- Fat Injection – The processed fat is carefully injected into the target area(s) to enhance volume, shape, and contour. PRP is woven through the implant area.
- If you desire, some fat may be sent to an FDA-registered tissue bank for cryogenic storage or isolation and expansion of your stem cells for future use.
The injection technique varies by treatment area to ensure smooth, natural-looking results.
Procedure Details:
- Duration: 2–4 hours (varies by treatment area(s))
- Anesthesia: Tumescent and local anesthesia for donor and graft sites, Conscious sedation or general anesthesia if desired
Treatment Areas
Fat Grafting to the Breast
- Enhances breast volume up to about a cup size per session with your own tissue
- Provides subtle, natural-looking projection and contour
- Can recreate upper pole fullness and convexity that is lost with aging
- May improve contour irregularities or asymmetry
- Can be used above and around an existing implant
- Can soften radiation-exposed tissue and skin contracture after cancer treatment
Fat Grafting to Buttocks (BBL)
- Increases volume and projection of the buttocks
- Improves overall lower body contour
- Often combined with torso and waist liposuction to exaggerate the buttocks projection
Fat Grafting to The Face
- Restores lost facial volume, symmetry, and proportions
- Enhances skin elasticity and thickness
- Softens wrinkles and folds
- Improves overall facial balance and rejuvenates skin
- May not be long-lasting in the lips
Fat Grafting to The Penis
- Enhances girth using your natural fat
- Provides a non-implant option for penile enhancement
- Results vary based on individual anatomy and fat retention
- Pubic liposuction can expose more of the base of the shaft
- Duration of effect can be variable
Pre-Surgical Guidelines
To prepare for fat transfer surgery in Las Vegas, patients should:
- Maintain a stable weight prior to surgery
- Avoid nicotine for at least 4–6 weeks before and after surgery
- Stop blood-thinning medications as directed
- Stay well hydrated and follow a healthy diet
- Complete all required medical evaluations
- Prepare donor and graft areas for optimal recovery with Redvive Red/NIR light therapy
- Consider deploying IV-administered umbilical-derived stem cells during each surgery to communicate with your cells to speed healing and reduce inflammation
What to Expect and After Care
Recovery from fat grafting procedures depends on the size and surgical trauma induced to both the donor site and the treatment area.
After surgery:
- Modest discomfort and some oozing of bloody tumescent fluid are expected (you will have medications for pain and muscle relaxation if needed)
- Swelling, bruising, and temporary discomfort are expected
- Compression garments may be worn to support healing and contour
- Light activity and walking are encouraged early to promote circulation
- Remodeling, restoring sensation, and improvement in contour and symmetry can continue for up to a year with proper exercise and a high-protein diet.
Patients should:
- Avoid strenuous activity for several weeks
- Avoid compressing the blood supply for treated areas (especially after BBL or fat transfer to the buttocks)
- Follow all incision and wound care instructions carefully
- Attend all follow-up and lymphatic drainage massage appointments
- If you are using Redvive Red/NIR light therapy, you can restart after being cleared by Dr. Z to have your garment off for a short time
- Some fat resorption is expected as part of the healing process
- Maintain a stable weight to preserve results
Recovery Timeline:
- Initial recovery: 1–2 weeks
- Return to light activity: 2–3 weeks
- Resume full workout regime: 3 months
- Final results develop over several months.
Results
Fat transfer can provide a long-lasting improvement in volume and contour using the patient’s own tissue. A portion of the transferred fat will naturally be reabsorbed, while the remaining fat establishes a permanent blood supply and becomes part of the body. Significant aerobic exercise in the first 6 to 12 months may increase fat absorption and outcome.
Results appear, look, and feel natural, making fat grafting a popular option for patients seeking subtle, balanced natural enhancement. Maintaining a stable weight is important for preserving results.
Meet With Dr. Z to Discuss Fat Grafting Procedures in Las Vegas
Fat grafting is a highly customizable procedure for contouring and volume restoration that can be combined with other cosmetic procedures and surgeries. During your consultation with Dr. Z, he will evaluate your health, anatomy, available donor fat, and goals to determine the most appropriate treatment plan to achieve safe, natural, long-lasting, proportionate results in the desired areas.
