Fat grafting, also known as fat transfer or fat injection, is a popular technique in cosmetic body contouring that enhances volume, shape, and contour using a patient’s own natural fat. By harvesting fat from one area of the body and strategically injecting it into another, this approach offers natural-looking results, minimal scarring, and the potential for long-lasting enhancement.Â
At Berger Plastic Surgery, this surgery is performed by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Saul R. Berger, who has over 25 years of experience and advanced training from USC and The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, fat grafting is carefully planned and precisely executed. Dr. Berger’s expertise in aesthetic surgery of the face, breast, and body allows for refined, personalized results tailored to each patient’s goals.
What Is Fat Grafting?
Fat grafting is a technique that restores or enhances volume by transferring fat from one area of the body to another. Fat is first harvested via liposuction from common donor sites such as the abdomen, thighs, or flanks.
Once collected, the fat is carefully processed and purified before being strategically injected into the desired treatment area. Because the transferred material comes from the patient’s own body, fat grafting offers a natural alternative to implants or synthetic fillers.
How Fat Grafting Is Performed?
The fat grafting process can be explained as a series of carefully planned procedural steps. The first step involves harvesting fat from donor areas using liposuction, a minimal-incision technique performed by Dr. Berger. After extraction, the fat is processed to remove excess fluid and debris, thereby improving the survival rate of transplanted fat cells.
Once purified, the fat is prepared for injection into the recipient site. These areas may include the breasts, buttocks, face, hands, or regions with contour irregularities. Dr. Berger strategically plans the injection sites based on patient anatomy, aesthetic goals, and artistic judgment. The fat is injected in small, thin layers to ensure even distribution, natural contours, and smooth results. This meticulous technique allows for the precise sculpting and shaping of the treated area.
Applications of Fat Grafting
Fat grafting is a versatile technique that can be used for a wide range of cosmetic enhancements, including:
- Body contouring procedures, such as Brazilian butt lift (BBL) surgery, to enhance shape and volume
- Facial rejuvenation, including cheek augmentation and filling hollow areas such as the under-eye region or temples
- Breast augmentation, to achieve subtle increases in breast volume or to refine and enhance overall breast shape
Its adaptability makes fat grafting a valuable option for patients seeking customized, natural-looking results across multiple areas of the body.
Healing, Fat Survival, and Results
After fat injection, the transferred fat cells must integrate with the surrounding tissue and develop a blood supply in order to survive. This occurs gradually through the body’s natural healing process. Patients receive detailed post-operative instructions to promote proper healing and reduce the risk of complications.
It is normal for some of the injected fat to be reabsorbed by the body during the first few weeks after the procedure. However, a significant portion typically remains, resulting in long-lasting volume enhancement and contour improvement when the procedure is carefully planned and executed.
Is Fat Grafting Right for You?
Fat grafting is often an ideal option for patients who want natural-looking volume enhancement and have enough donor fat for transfer. Using the patient’s own fat eliminates the risk of allergic reaction or rejection. It may be particularly well-suited for individuals seeking subtle, refined improvements rather than dramatic augmentation with implants or fillers.
A personalized consultation with Dr. Berger can help determine whether fat grafting aligns with a patient’s goals and anatomy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Choose Dr. Berger for Fat Grafting?
Dr. Saul R. Berger is a Los Angeles plastic surgery specialist with over 25 years of experience providing elite cosmetic care to local, national, and international patients. Board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, he completed advanced training in General Surgery at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York and Plastic Surgery at USC in Los Angeles.Â
Dr. Berger specializes in aesthetic surgery of the face, breast, and body, as well as non-surgical rejuvenation. He has published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at national conferences, and trained future medical professionals. Now practicing in Burbank, California, Dr. Berger personally develops customized treatment plans, combining surgical precision with an artistic approach to fat grafting.
Fat Grafting Procedures in Burbank, CA
Fat grafting offers a natural, customized approach to enhancing volume and contour using your own fat, with minimal scarring and long-lasting results. With careful technique and an artistic eye, Dr. Berger helps patients achieve refined outcomes tailored to their individual goals.Â
To learn more about fat grafting in Burbank, California, or to schedule a consultation, please call 818-245-6101.