It is commonly known as fat grafting or fat transfer.
LipoSculpt is a process in which fat from one area of the body is used to permanently sculpt or fill in lines, dents or irregularities or augment areas in other parts of the body or face.
# Why would I want fat in my face?
Ageing will cause the facial volume to shrink. The skin also looses its elasticity and wrinkles on the depleted volume. Fat grafting will restore volume, resuspend the skin and also brings back the radiance to the skin.
# How long does the FAT last
With proper technique of harvesting , processing and placing the fat ….most of it is permanent.
A relatively new technique has been developed called microfat grafting, in which small amounts (less than 0.1 cc at a time) of fat are carefully microinjected in a series of discrete layers to gradually ‘build’ new soft tissue structure. As there is space between each microinjection, new blood vessels are able to grow into the grafted fat, allowing it to persist.
Face has one of the richest blood supply of the body.
# I heard fat doesn’t work
Fatty tissue is extremely fragile and is easily killed. Most techniques used to suction and place the fat traumatize the tissue causing unpredictable results.
LipoSculpt is a specific technique that allows the fat to survive long term.
# Is fat grafting safe?
Yes. People have been grafting fat in humans since 1893. Over the last century the controversy has always involved questions about ’ how much of the grafted / injected fat survives’.
Safety is not a concern.
# Is LipoSculpt safer than regular plastic surgery?
It is much less invasive than most traditional plastic surgery procedures. Most other cosmetic surgeries involve introducing sharp objects (such knives and scissors) under the skin. Damage to nerves, arteries, veins and other vital structures is a real possibility with more traditional plastic surgery. Dr. Mahadik minimises this risk by using soft-edged, blunt instruments developed by Dr Coleman for suctioning and placement of fat in the body . This makes it much safer.
# What anaesthesia is used for Liposculpt procedures
Small volume Liposuclpt procedures for faces are done under local anaesthesia in accredited settings.
Larger volumes need general anaesthesia and are done in day surgeries with a board certified anaesthetists.
We follow the APHRA regulations which clearly identify what can and can’t be done under local anaesthesia.
# Which machine do you use for suctioning fat.
No, we do not use machines for fat retrieval, even if they are faster. We suction the fat by hand with a syringe attached to a cannula. This causes minimal trauma and maximal survival of the grafted fat.
# How do old photographs help.
Photos help Dr Mahadik know how a patient’s face has changed over the years and which areas need filling.
The study of old photographs determine the volumes and shapes needed to restore the healthy, desirable structures of your youth.
# Why so many photos, why don’t they just look at me.
Of course we look at you at consultation. The planning involves studying the images by zooming certain areas to achieve a three dimensional improvement that suits you.
Images stay as a record for consent and are used in procedure rooms as well.
# Does weight fluctuations affect the grafted FAT –
The grafted FAT becomes your own live and natural fat in a few months.
The fat cells will swell and shrink with weight gain and loss like any other fat cells on your tummy or thighs.
So stay steady in your weight.
# Can fat grafting be done after implants ?
Fat grafting has many advantages in breast and facial implants.
Fat injected around implants can give smooth contours.
It helps soften the visible edges of the implants
# 18. Am I swollen and bruised after fat grafting?
Mostly Yes. The layered placement of fat requires multiple passes with the blunt cannula. This tends to create a fair amount of bruising and swelling.
Bruising will resolve in 2-3 weeks.
Swelling where the fat grafts have been placed is usually acceptable in 2-3 weeks, but will take several months to completely heal
The areas that take the longest for the swelling to resolve are the eyelids and the lips.
Swelling in the donor, or harvesting sites can take 3-6 months to completely resolve.
Fat grafting Vs Cheek implantsI find that for most people fat grafting provides a more natural result than cheek implantation.
Fat grafting allows for more intricate customization of which portions of the cheek to augment (and how much).
Fat grafting isn’t limited anatomically by the infraorbital nerve (a sensory nerve that exits the bone just below your eye). A cheek implant can’t be placed above this nerve limiting how high one can provide augmentation.
With a cheek implant, as the soft tissues of the cheek continue to lose bulk/fat with time the implant can become even less natural appearing.
