Fat transfer, also known as fat grafting and fat transplantation, is a cosmetic surgical procedure that involves removing fat from one area of the body and transplanting it into another area for the purpose of adding or restoring volume. This technique is often used to perform fat-transfer breast augmentation and the Brazilian butt lift.

Anesthesia Type: General or Local

Facility Type: Outpatient surgical center or in-office surgery suite

Recovery Time: This will depend on where the fat is placed. Generally speaking, following fat transfer surgery there is little to no pain, very little bruising, and only tiny pin hole incisions that require no care. Swelling is the most significant issue and can persist for weeks. Patients can go back to work and resume most daily activities within a couple of days following surgery.

What to Expect During Recovery: Swelling, minor bruising, possibility of temporary lumpiness or asymmetry during healing.

Am I a Good Candidate for a Fat Transfer?

The best candidates for a fat transfer are individuals in good overall health who have enough excess fat for transfer. Fat transfer candidates should be at a stable weight and have a BMI of 30 or less to reduce the chance of complications during and after the procedure.

Since the procedure involves no implants, it is an ideal option for patients who want to avoid having to replace their breast implants over time.

The fat transfer procedure will be highly customized to your appearance goals. The best candidates are patients with realistic expectations.

Smoking and drinking alcohol can lead to a slower healing process. Before undergoing a fat transfer, quit smoking for at least four to six weeks. Avoid drinking alcohol for 48 hours before and after the procedure.

Deciding to Have Fat Transfer –

If you are considering fat transfer to your body, review the information provided in this section so you are well informed about the procedure and what to expect, followed by calling our office for a private consultation with Dr. Hurvitz at his office. During your visit, let Dr. Hurvitz know what your goals and expectations are from fat transfer. This will help him understand your motives and expected outcome, as well as determine if your expectations are realistic. Dr. Hurvitz will evaluate the area of concern, as well as examine your abdomen, flanks, and other areas to determine if you have enough available fat for the transfer. Lastly, Dr. Hurvitz will discuss the risks associated with fat transfer surgery, as well as the healing time and what to expect during recovery. His staff will provide you with a detailed surgery quote.

About Fat Transfer to the Body –

Fat transfer is most known for addressing addressed facial volume loss. However, it is also a great solution for augmenting various areas of the body, including the buttocks, biceps, triceps, calf muscles, breasts and hands. Currently the most popular areas are the buttocks (butt augmentation) and breasts.

Body implants have traditionally been viewed as better for sculpting larger areas of the body such as the breasts and buttocks, however this perception is changing in the plastic surgery community. Fat offers a soft, natural appearance, while implants tend to be firmer and more structured. Many individuals shy away from implants due to the fear of having a foreign object placed in their body. Fat transfer involves your own fat cells, which eliminates the risk of allergic reaction or rejection. Recovery is also much easier with fat transfer compared to body implants. It’s important to know fat transfer surgery is unpredictable compared to the predictability of an implant. Much of the injected fat is absorbed, leaving an average of about 40 – 50 percent in place. This varies from person to person. It is common for individuals to need more than one fat transfer surgery to achieve their desired result.

The process of performing a fat transfer procedure is fairly straightforward.

The location where the fat will be removed (donor site), and the treated area where the fat will be injected, are numbed with a local anesthetic. If the surgery is being performed under general anesthesia, the patient will be completely asleep during the surgery. The most common donor sites are the abdomen and thighs. The fat cells are harvested from the donor site by way of liposuction and processed and purified by Dr. Hurvitz. Lastly, the fat is injected with a very small needle into the specified area.

How Much Does a Fat Transfer Cost? –

A fat transfer procedure’s total cost will depend on the amount of work needed to be done to complete the procedure. This varies for every patient. The amount of time needed for the entire procedure can affect the total price, as can factors like anesthesia fees and the amount of fat being transferred.

Fat transfer surgery is purely cosmetic and will not be covered by medical insurance. Speak with our financing department to discuss available payment options.

Contact Us to Learn More –

To learn more about fat transfer to areas of the body in Long Beach, contact Hurvitz Plastic Surgery at (562) 595-6543 and schedule a consultation. Dr. Hurvitz will be available to plan and perform a fat transfer procedure that matches your appearance goals.