Fat Transfer

A cosmetic procedure that helps to add definition to areas of the body is fat grafting. Dr. Lapuerta offers Houston, Pearland, and Katy patients the chance to add desired volume to deflated body parts through this advanced surgery. Also known as a fat transfer, this procedure uses fat from the patient’s own body to “plump up” other body parts such as the buttocks or lips. Fat transfers have lasting results and most patients love the fact that fat can be taken from a problematic area and transferred to another. Dr. Lapuerta will discuss these benefits during the initial consultation.

During the consultation, the surgeon and patient will discuss what donor sites will be most suitable and desirable for fat removal. During surgery, fat is removed from the donor site using a cannula. The fat will then be purified using a centrifuge, which is a device that spins the fat at a high speed in order to remove any impurities. The fat will be placed in a syringe and augmented into the transfer site. The surgeon will simultaneously massage the area so that the fat settles where needed to create a satisfactory shape and contour. Multiple injections are usually needed.

A fat transfer is considered an outpatient procedure and is performed at an accredited surgical facility. In the majority of cases, especially where larger injection areas are concerned, general anesthesia will be used. For smaller areas, such as the lips, the surgeon will use a local anesthetic. After the procedure, the fat removal areas, as well as the injection sites may be swollen and red. This will subside in a short time. This procedure continues to be popular among patients because it offers little risk and little downtime while delivering great results.

A fat transfer procedure will vary greatly in terms of cost, but the surgery could run as low as $8,000 or as high as $11,000. The reason for the expansive price range is because there are two procedures that have to be accounted — liposuction and the actual fat grafting/transfer process. The price is subjective until it is known how much fat is going to be removed from how many body parts and where the transfers will take place.