Fat Injections Questions and Answers

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Question:

I lost facial tissue from a staph infection. There is an indentation. Would fat infections make this less noticeable?

Answer:

Fat injections are a good choice, and that is what I would try. It will probably take a series of injections. If the fat doesn't provide sufficient fill there are other options to consider. David M. Metzner, MD

Question:

Having researched fat injections for the face, I keep coming up with conflicting information. Can these injections obtain permanent/semi-permanent results or not? Opinions waver between worthy results after several injections to absolutely temporary. Thanks for some clarity on this issue. Kat Privett

Answer:

Dear Kat, There are a very few physicians who can achieve reproducable results with this procedure. Many of us have taken training courses since it is attractive to use the patient's own fat for augmentation. The results have generally, not been great. I think that this technique is useful if very small augmentation is desired. I think that it is safe but the take of the fat is jeapordized if too much is placed at one time. Fat is one of the worst substances to try to transfer without a blood supply since it needs so much to live. I rarely perform the procedure because of these limitations.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

I have been getting allergy shots 1x wk. for about a 18 months. I have been experiencing muscle pain and sometimes spasms in my arms increasingly over the past 2 months. It is getting to the point where even lifting my arms a little causes pain. The administering nurse has tried lower locations on my arms the last two times, but with no improvement yet. At times I also feel jittery and fatigued. Are these common side effects? Should I be concerned about a more severe reaction?

Answer:

Allergy injections can cause temporary soreness, especially if accidentally injected into a muscle. This usually resolves in hours to days and is generally not severe. Shots do not cause jitteriness or fatigue. I suggest you see your family doctor or internist for an exam. You could be developing bursitis or some other problem unrelated to allergy or shots.

Question:

I know this is a rather strange question and you may never get this too often, but I'm interested :is there any fat injections for any surgery that can make the buttocks appear full, round and bigger, without looking sloppy, a butt like Jennifer Lopez, the famous spanish attress.

Answer:

Dear Norma, This is not an unusual question. There are many women who desire buttock lifts or buttock enhancement surgery. The lift is relatively straightforward with a scar along the gluteal fold (crease where your buttock joins your upper thigh). Implants can be placed at that time. I chose not to place these implants since they are usually breast implants and not FDA approved for placement in this area. The implant company does not warrant them when placed here and there is a risk of damage to the sciatic nerve (large nerve of the leg) when it is done. I would suggest that you try to exercise to build up your gluteal muscles first (Ms. Lopez not only is genetically predisposed to a nice posterior but also is a dancer and exercises these mucles a great deal to attain and maintain her shape).

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

I am a man interested in 2 things: breast implants and some way of increasing the size of my hips to be proportional. Is this possible?

Answer:

Breast implants are definitely possible and have been utilized even in a male chest. Increasing hip size however will most likely not be feasible. Potentially, fat injections might be attemped but their longevity is in question.

Question:

I have read about several doctors offering penis enlargement, is this something safe that provides very good results? Are there any side effects? How long is the procedure, and what does it entitle?

Answer:

There are many of us who offer this sexual enhancement surgery. There are basically two types of procedures. The first is the lengthening procedure where tiny ligaments are cut which allow the non-erect penis to hang further away from the body. This usually will allow for an elongation of from one to 5 centimeters depending upon the anatomy of the area. The second type of surgery is enlargement of the penis in diameter. For this, most of us use fat injections. This is the only part of the procedure which can and often does require touch-up procedures after since the fat take is variable. We often also perform procedures such as liposuction of the lower abdomen in conjuction with the procedure for further apparent lengthening. There are risks with each of the procedures described. The most common is that of the fat not taking completely and disappearing. Other risks such as infection or bleeding rarely happen. Loss of sensation can occur but is usually transient. The procedures each take about one to two hours although times have been shortenend with the use of lasers for the first procedure. Hope this helps. E-mail me and I can forward a brochure on to you detailing more about the procedures.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

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