From face wrinkles to bony hands, fat injections, or structural fat grafting can fill in lines and fill out areas that need more volume.  Structural fat grafting is a skin/facial filler like collagen or Botox and other newer, synthetic products.  Unlike some of the others, however, fat injections use fat tissue taken from a donor site in your body, and, therefore, do not pose a possibility of an allergic reaction.  This procedure is usually a better option for patients that need large volume enhancements and/or require injections deeper into the skin tissue.

How It's Done

After both the donor and recipient site are cleansed and treated with a local anesthetic, fat is removed via a large bore needle and suction (the same process by which liposuction is performed) from the donor site; usually the thighs, abdomen, or buttocks.  The removed tissue is placed into a centrifuge where the fat is separated from surrounding tissue.  It is then put in a syringe and injected in the predetermined areas.

Usually, more fat is injected into treatment areas than is needed, as some fat is absorbed into the skin within the first few weeks.  The injected fat plumps and tightens the skin, reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles.  The procedure usually lasts between 30 and 60 minutes.

Technology

Though the technology used in structural fat grafting does not vary, there are different techniques used to transfer fat from donor to recipient sites. 

Recovery / Post Op Expectations

After fat injections, patients usually experience bruising and redness that lasts an average of 48 hours.  During this time patients should avoid sun exposure and may wear makeup with UV protection to disguise the effects of the procedure.  In many cases patients can return to everyday activities immediately, but in some instances, especially when there is a high volume injection, recovery can last several weeks. 

The results of fat injections vary from patient to patient.  In general, however, about half of the injected fat is absorbed back into the skin in 3-6 months.

Complications

Although there is no possibility of an allergic reaction, some patients experience irritation and extended pain, soreness, and bruising.  Other complications include over- and under-correction and lumping.

Cost

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reported that the average physician fee for fat injections for 2003 was $1,026.  Of course that amount can vary based on region, physician, and amount of treatment required.  This fee does not include additional costs such as anesthesia.