Lipofilling, also known as fat injection or fat transfer, is a commonly performed cosmetic procedure in Pakistan, especially in Punjab. It is a natural process where the patient’s own fat is taken from one part of the body and transferred to another.
As individuals gain or lose weight, fat may accumulate unevenly, causing asymmetry or contour issues. Lipofilling is performed to restore the contour and symmetry of the body.
Areas for Fat Injections
- Face:
- Corrects asymmetry due to fat absorption from weight loss or gain.
- Treats congenital deformities like hypoplasia or deformities after trauma, tumor excision, or diseases like Romberg syndrome.
- Helps improve psychological and social well-being.
- Breasts:
- Increases breast size and projection.
- Addresses asymmetry between breasts.
- Offers an alternative to breast augmentation with implants.
- Buttocks:
- Enhances figure and boosts self-confidence.
- Popularly known as the Brazilian Butt Lift.
- Hands:
- Rejuvenates aged, wrinkled hands to restore a youthful appearance.
- Under Eyes:
- Restores volume in sunken eyes.
- Other Areas:
- Post-burn scars.
- Post-acne scars.
- Diabetic foot wounds.
- Penis girth enhancement.
- Fine lines and wrinkles.
- Prominent nasolabial folds.
Types of Fat Injection
- Macro Fat Injection:
- Harvested using a cannula with more than a 1mm opening.
- Suitable for large-volume transfers like buttocks and breast augmentation.
- Micro Fat Injection:
- Harvested with a 1mm cannula.
- Used for moderate-volume transfers.
- Nano Fat Injection:
- Harvested with a 1mm cannula, followed by emulsification.
- Fat cells are destroyed, leaving active components like adipose-derived stem cells.
- Ideal for skin rejuvenation, fine lines, scars, and minimal-volume injections.
Consultation and Assessment
During consultation:
- Dr. Abdul Malik takes a detailed patient history and addresses concerns.
- With the assistance of a female staff member, the patient is examined thoroughly.
- The procedure, expected outcomes, recovery, and potential complications are explained.
- Baseline blood tests are conducted for anesthesia fitness.
Procedure
The procedure is performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on the treatment area.
- Marking is done for donor and recipient areas.
- A small incision (0.5cm) is made, and infiltration fluid is injected.
- Fat is harvested using special cannulas with negative suction pressure.
- Fat is separated from blood and oil, then prepared for injection.
- The harvested fat is injected into the recipient area, ensuring symmetry.
- The donor site is closed and dressed, and the recipient site is massaged.
Post-Operative Care and Recovery
- Recovery time:
- Local anesthesia: 1-2 hours in the recovery room.
- General anesthesia: 1-day hospital stay.
- Redness, swelling, and bruising subside in 7-10 days.
- Compression garments and massage are advised.
- Approximately 30-40% of the injected fat is absorbed; overfilling is initially done to compensate.
- Edema resolves in 2 months, and vascularized fat provides long-lasting results.
Benefits
- Uses the patient’s natural fat.
- Long-lasting results (6-8 years).
- No foreign body reaction (compared to fillers or implants).
- Minimal risk of infection.
- Improved confidence and body contour.
- Symmetry restoration.
- Youthful appearance of hands, face, and other areas.
- Improvement in scars and wrinkles.
- Breast and buttock enhancement.
Side Effects
- Swelling.
- Bruising.
- Redness.
- Risk of infection (minimal).
- Asymmetry.
- Revision procedure required in 5% of cases due to fat absorption.
Cost of Procedure
The cost ranges from 50,000 PKR to 200,000 PKR, depending on:
- The area being treated.
- Whether the procedure is performed under local or general anesthesia.