Body Contouring with Your Own Fat
V zadnjih nekaj desetletjih izkoriščamo maščobne celice, ki smo jih odstranili z liposukcijo, za ponovno presaditev in oblikovanje tkiv, npr. dojk, obraza, zadnjico, če obstaja primanjkljaj. Zmožnost presajanja maščobnih celic se danes uporablja na vseh področjih plastične, rekonstrukcijske in estetske kirurgije.
Before a fat grafting procedure, we first harvest your own fat by liposuction. This means that we also contour the area with excess or bothersome fat deposits at the same time. Fat is most commonly taken from the lower back, hips and the transition to the buttocks, and sometimes from the inner thighs and knees.
The procedure permanently removes excess fat deposits that cannot be reduced by diet or exercise, without visible scars, and then uses this fat to restore volume in areas where it is lacking – for example in the breasts, buttocks or face.
With a single procedure, the breasts can usually be increased by up to one cup size. We are limited by how well the transplanted fat cells can survive and grow a new blood supply. Fat cells receive nutrients only from their immediate surroundings, so it is essential that the surrounding tissue is well vascularized. If we overfill the area, blood flow is compromised and the fat cells cannot survive; the body breaks them down and removes them.
After harvesting, the fat cells are processed using a special technique and then carefully injected into the desired tissue. Their survival depends on this precise placement.
Before surgery we will discuss the options available and align them with your expectations.
Smaller procedures can be done under local anesthesia; more extensive procedures are performed under general anesthesia. The operation takes 1–3 hours.
After a more extensive procedure, the patient remains at the clinic for observation. During this time, our team ensures a comfortable stay in one of our clinic suites. After a shorter procedure, the patient can go home the same day. In both cases, detailed postoperative instructions are provided.
Bruising usually subsides within two weeks, while swelling can persist somewhat longer.
Most patients return to work after one week, or after two weeks following a more extensive procedure, taking into account some activity restrictions.
Sports activities are usually permitted after several weeks.
More About the Procedure
In aesthetic surgery, we take advantage of the ability of fat cells to integrate into tissues where there is a volume deficit. With fat grafting, we can restore volume to the face, breasts, chest, buttocks, hips and legs. We are no longer limited to simply removing fat where there is too much; we can also use it to build up other areas — hence the term liposculpture.
Fat cells are harvested by liposuction and then processed for reinjection using various methods. The key step is to isolate stem cells and viable fat cells from the aspirated fat, while removing free oil, blood and excess fluid. For injection we use only fat cells and regenerative (stem) cells.
The injection process must be meticulous and precise, as this is crucial for the survival of most transplanted fat cells.
Am I a Good Candidate for Breast Augmentation with My Own Fat?
We obtain your fat through liposuction from areas where there is sufficient fat or where we are already planning body contouring. This means the procedure is not suitable for patients with very little body fat. Because the survival of transplanted fat depends on nutrients from the surrounding tissue, we must be careful to inject only a limited amount at one time. If we inject too much fat, the tissues become overly tense, blood vessels are compressed and the transplanted cells cannot survive.
As a result, breast augmentation with fat alone can usually increase the breast by up to one cup size. With fat grafting we cannot emphasize the décolletage as dramatically as with implants. Fat grafting is therefore not suitable for patients who desire a very pronounced enlargement or a highly “augmented” look. With fat alone, we cannot significantly change the shape of the breast, lift the breast or alter the position of the nipple.
What Is Recovery Like After Facial Rejuvenation?
Recovery typically takes around 10 days, depending on the extent of ageing changes and the intensity of the treatment, which is tailored to each patient. Mild redness and swelling are present in the first few days. After about a week, some superficial flaking of the skin may occur and the complexion may take on a pink tone.
Around day ten, the first signs of improved skin quality and firmness become visible, facial contours appear more attractive and patients can usually return to all their daily and professional activities. Over the following weeks, swelling gradually resolves and the face gains a youthful glow and appearance.
How Does Facial Rejuvenation with Fat and Stem Cells Work?
Facial rejuvenation with stem cells is a minimally invasive procedure that restores youthful contours in a matter of minutes while significantly improving skin tone, texture and firmness. This approach can greatly reduce the need for botulinum toxin or hyaluronic acid fillers.
The procedure uses fat tissue, which naturally contains a high concentration of adult stem cells. These cells can differentiate into various cell types and play a key role in repairing and regenerating damaged or ageing tissues. Fat is harvested from the abdominal area, which is rich in growth factors — another important component of tissue regeneration.
This mixture of stem cells and growth factors is injected into the facial tissues, where it triggers multiple rejuvenation processes that make the skin fresher and more youthful. The transferred fat cells themselves are the third component of this “rejuvenation cocktail”; they help restore the natural contours of the cheeks, eyelids and lips, sculpting the face into a harmonious whole.
How Long Do the Results Last?
In the first few months after the procedure, the body breaks down a small portion of the transplanted fat, with approximately 60–80% of the grafted fat usually remaining. After a few months, the final result becomes apparent and is considered permanent.
However, transplanted fat cells behave like any other natural tissue in the body and are subject to the same physiological changes caused by ageing, gravity, significant weight loss and breastfeeding. Over time, these factors can again lead to volume loss or sagging in the face or breasts, in which case the procedure can be repeated.
What Do the Scars Look Like?
Scars are barely visible, as the fat is injected through tiny puncture sites. Only very small entry points used for fat harvesting and injection can be seen, and these usually fade to become almost invisible.
