Fat Grafting in Houston, TX
Plastic Surgeon Christopher Hankins, MD, is one of Houston’s leading experts in fat transfer procedures of the face, breast, and body. As one of the premier plastic surgeons in the Pearland, Lake Jackson, and Houston areas, he offers a refined and state-of-the-art fat grafting process for natural-looking results and a more youthful appearance.
What is Fat Grafting?
Fat grafting is one of the most customizable and versatile plastic surgery procedures available. It allows a highly trained and knowledgeable plastic surgeon to contour and reduce an area of excess fat and then place the harvested fat into an area of volume loss. Called autologous fat transfer, the fat cells function as natural dermal fillers but with long-lasting results. Once the transferred fat establishes a new blood supply, it functions the same as the other fatty tissue in the area. And because the fat cells come from your own body, the healing process and risks are reduced.
About the Fat Transfer Procedure
Dr. Hankins performs fat grafting using a complete high-volume precision auto-graft system that results in less impact on the surrounding tissue, complete control of the collection and fat injection process, and even more customizable results. It also utilizes state-of-the-art fat processing technology to ensure the best possible tissue viability for reinjection – including a completely closed system to ensure that no outside contamination is introduced. Dr. Hankins can control and manipulate every step of the fat grafting process to ensure you get the result you want.
Dr. Hankins will work with you to determine the specifics of your fat grafting procedure. He will use his intrinsic artistic eye to determine the ideal look for both your treatment area and the donor area. Some of the most common areas for collecting fat cells include the stomach, hips, thighs, and love handles. Because of the nature of fat transfer, you’ll gain the benefits of more pronounced contours in these areas and a slimmer, more flattering figure. This makes fat grafting one of the most popular procedures available at Premier Plastic Surgery.
Fat grafting can be used in many ways, sometimes in combination with other cosmetic surgery procedures of the face, breast, or body. Fat grafting is simply a way to add volume, which can be a highly versatile technique in the hands of an experienced plastic surgeon.
Fat Grafting for Breast Augmentation
Fat cells can be used for adding volume to the breasts, whether in tandem with implants or not. Once injected, the fat tissue adds a moderate amount of volume and projection to the breasts with a completely natural look and feel. It can also be used to enhance the look and feel of implants if there is fat needed to “conceal” the implant. You may also add this natural breast augmentation technique to a breast lift if you want a subtle increase in volume.
Fat Grafting for Facial Rejuvenation
Facial fat grafting is one of the most effective ways to rejuvenate the aging face. As we age, the youthful fat pads of the face begin to deteriorate and fall downward. Fat injected into the face to restore these fat pads can reduce the appearance of nasolabial folds, smile lines, and more. In some cases, it can be used to fill in acne scars or enhance the lips. It can easily be combined with a facial procedure such as the facelift or blepharoplasty.
Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)
The Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is one of the most well-known types of fat grafting. It involves collecting fat from a donor area and injecting it into the butt to enhance its size, projection, and shape. Because of the vascular nature of the butt and the increased risk of fat embolism, the BBL should only be performed by a highly-trained and experienced plastic surgeon.
Who is a Candidate for Fat Grafting?
Fat grafting is an ideal option for patients who desire the following:
- A more youthful look to the face
- A shaplier butt and overall figure
- Bigger, fuller breasts
- A slimmer, more contoured silhouette in areas like the stomach, hips, or thighs
- A natural alternative to implants or dermal fillers
As with any cosmetic surgery, to qualify for fat transfer, you should be in overall good health. Dr. Hankins will assess your body composition to determine if you have sufficient fat for your desired look. If not, he can help you explore the possibility of implants or fillers.
If you’re interested in learning more about fat transfer, as well as our unique processing techniques, we invite you to learn more by scheduling a consultation. Contact our office today to begin your fat transfer journey.
Fat Grafting Recovery
Fat grafting is typically performed using local anesthesia and thus you can return home after surgery. Recovery time varies based on your unique procedure, but you can generally expect to limit your activity for one to two weeks. You will have swelling (more so in your donor area) which you will manage by wearing a compression garment as much as possible for four to six weeks. Dr. Hankins will monitor your progress throughout and help you achieve the best possible results.
With any fat transfer procedure, and with the Brazilian butt lift in particular, ensuring the survival of the injected fat is paramount. Some volume is expected to be lost as you recover, but the fat particles will settle into their new home provided you don’t put pressure on them or otherwise strain your body. In the case of the Brazilian butt lift, you will be given specific instructions on how to sit and sleep for the first few weeks.
You’ll notice instant results from your fat grafting procedure, but the best results will begin to emerge within a few months. To maintain your new look, managing your weight is key. Fluctuations in weight can cause changes in the grafted fat and the donor area, so maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle is the best way to get long-lasting results from fat grafting.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fat Grafting
How long does it take to heal from fat grafting?
This depends on the extent of your fat transfer procedure, but you can typically return to daily activities within one to two weeks. This may be longer depending on the nature of your job. You will be completely healed within one to two months of surgery.
Do lumps after fat transfer go away?
Small lumps are possible after fat transfer and are usually attributed to swelling. These go away with time and Dr. Hankins will monitor any irregularities throughout your recovery.
How long do you wear compression garments after fat transfer?
Wearing your compression garment after fat grafting is essential to getting good results. You should plan to wear this garment constantly for the first few weeks of recovery before tapering off. Dr. Hankins will give you detailed instructions to follow.
What is the ideal weight for fat transfer?
Weight is less important for fat grafting than the amount of fat available. An experienced plastic surgeon with an eye for aesthetics can give you the best idea of whether you have enough fat available for your ideal look.
Does fat transfer make you look younger?
In the case of facial fat grafting, your results may make you look significantly younger. This is because facial fat grafting can restore the natural fat present in youth that gives your face its structure. Combining facial fat grafting with the facelift to also lift and restore the skin and other tissues can be especially potent. Also did you know there are stem cells in your fat, which will rejuvenate your skin.
Fat Grafting in Houston, TX
Plastic Surgeon Christopher Hankins, MD, is one of Houston’s leading experts in fat transfer procedures of the face, breast, and body. As one of the premier plastic surgeons in the Pearland, Lake Jackson, and Houston areas, he offers a refined and state-of-the-art fat grafting process for natural-looking results and a more youthful appearance.
What is Fat Grafting?
Fat grafting is one of the most customizable and versatile plastic surgery procedures available. It allows a highly trained and knowledgeable plastic surgeon to contour and reduce an area of excess fat and then place the harvested fat into an area of volume loss. Called autologous fat transfer, the fat cells function as natural dermal fillers but with long-lasting results. Once the transferred fat establishes a new blood supply, it functions the same as the other fatty tissue in the area. And because the fat cells come from your own body, the healing process and risks are reduced.
About the Fat Transfer Procedure
Dr. Hankins performs fat grafting using a complete high-volume precision auto-graft system that results in less impact on the surrounding tissue, complete control of the collection and fat injection process, and even more customizable results. It also utilizes state-of-the-art fat processing technology to ensure the best possible tissue viability for reinjection – including a completely closed system to ensure that no outside contamination is introduced. Dr. Hankins can control and manipulate every step of the fat grafting process to ensure you get the result you want.
Dr. Hankins will work with you to determine the specifics of your fat grafting procedure. He will use his intrinsic artistic eye to determine the ideal look for both your treatment area and the donor area. Some of the most common areas for collecting fat cells include the stomach, hips, thighs, and love handles. Because of the nature of fat transfer, you’ll gain the benefits of more pronounced contours in these areas and a slimmer, more flattering figure. This makes fat grafting one of the most popular procedures available at Premier Plastic Surgery.
Fat grafting can be used in many ways, sometimes in combination with other cosmetic surgery procedures of the face, breast, or body. Fat grafting is simply a way to add volume, which can be a highly versatile technique in the hands of an experienced plastic surgeon.
Fat Grafting for Breast Augmentation
Fat cells can be used for adding volume to the breasts, whether in tandem with implants or not. Once injected, the fat tissue adds a moderate amount of volume and projection to the breasts with a completely natural look and feel. It can also be used to enhance the look and feel of implants if there is fat needed to “conceal” the implant. You may also add this natural breast augmentation technique to a breast lift if you want a subtle increase in volume.
Fat Grafting for Facial Rejuvenation
Facial fat grafting is one of the most effective ways to rejuvenate the aging face. As we age, the youthful fat pads of the face begin to deteriorate and fall downward. Fat injected into the face to restore these fat pads can reduce the appearance of nasolabial folds, smile lines, and more. In some cases, it can be used to fill in acne scars or enhance the lips. It can easily be combined with a facial procedure such as the facelift or blepharoplasty.
Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)
The Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is one of the most well-known types of fat grafting. It involves collecting fat from a donor area and injecting it into the butt to enhance its size, projection, and shape. Because of the vascular nature of the butt and the increased risk of fat embolism, the BBL should only be performed by a highly-trained and experienced plastic surgeon.
Who is a Candidate for Fat Grafting?
Fat grafting is an ideal option for patients who desire the following:
- A more youthful look to the face
- A shaplier butt and overall figure
- Bigger, fuller breasts
- A slimmer, more contoured silhouette in areas like the stomach, hips, or thighs
- A natural alternative to implants or dermal fillers
As with any cosmetic surgery, to qualify for fat transfer, you should be in overall good health. Dr. Hankins will assess your body composition to determine if you have sufficient fat for your desired look. If not, he can help you explore the possibility of implants or fillers.
If you’re interested in learning more about fat transfer, as well as our unique processing techniques, we invite you to learn more by scheduling a consultation. Contact our office today to begin your fat transfer journey.
Fat Grafting Recovery
Fat grafting is typically performed using local anesthesia and thus you can return home after surgery. Recovery time varies based on your unique procedure, but you can generally expect to limit your activity for one to two weeks. You will have swelling (more so in your donor area) which you will manage by wearing a compression garment as much as possible for four to six weeks. Dr. Hankins will monitor your progress throughout and help you achieve the best possible results.
With any fat transfer procedure, and with the Brazilian butt lift in particular, ensuring the survival of the injected fat is paramount. Some volume is expected to be lost as you recover, but the fat particles will settle into their new home provided you don’t put pressure on them or otherwise strain your body. In the case of the Brazilian butt lift, you will be given specific instructions on how to sit and sleep for the first few weeks.
You’ll notice instant results from your fat grafting procedure, but the best results will begin to emerge within a few months. To maintain your new look, managing your weight is key. Fluctuations in weight can cause changes in the grafted fat and the donor area, so maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle is the best way to get long-lasting results from fat grafting.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fat Grafting
How long does it take to heal from fat grafting?
This depends on the extent of your fat transfer procedure, but you can typically return to daily activities within one to two weeks. This may be longer depending on the nature of your job. You will be completely healed within one to two months of surgery.
Do lumps after fat transfer go away?
Small lumps are possible after fat transfer and are usually attributed to swelling. These go away with time and Dr. Hankins will monitor any irregularities throughout your recovery.
How long do you wear compression garments after fat transfer?
Wearing your compression garment after fat grafting is essential to getting good results. You should plan to wear this garment constantly for the first few weeks of recovery before tapering off. Dr. Hankins will give you detailed instructions to follow.
What is the ideal weight for fat transfer?
Weight is less important for fat grafting than the amount of fat available. An experienced plastic surgeon with an eye for aesthetics can give you the best idea of whether you have enough fat available for your ideal look.
Does fat transfer make you look younger?
In the case of facial fat grafting, your results may make you look significantly younger. This is because facial fat grafting can restore the natural fat present in youth that gives your face its structure. Combining facial fat grafting with the facelift to also lift and restore the skin and other tissues can be especially potent. Also did you know there are stem cells in your fat, which will rejuvenate your skin.
