Fat grafting
Fat grafting (also known as fat injection, fat transfer or lipofilling) involves the removal of fat from one area of the body, for injection into the face. It is used to alter facial contours and correct any depression or irregularities. Dr Sydney Ch'ng conducts fat grafting and transfer procedures in both reconstructive and cosmetic circumstances.
What does fat grafting involve?
During a facial fat grafting procedure, fat is extracted from one area of the body (usually the abdomen or flank). It is then filtered before it is re-injected into the face, using a small calibre cannula.
Dr Sydney Ch'ng uses fat transfer techniques to help patients address a wide range of concerns on the face - common areas for fat grafting include the temples, lips and cheeks. The fat grafting process will fill volume in compressed areas, but can also fill deep wrinkles, creases, and an underdeveloped jawline. An alternative to dermal filler, facial fat grafting will provide long-lasting results as it's a natural part of the body and the injected cells can live for years.
Dermofat grafting
Dermofat grafting is a different type of procedure that involves cutting out a small piece of fat and overlying skin (usually from the groin crease) and transferring it to the face. Fat grafting, like any filler injection, carries the risks of injury to nerves, inflammation, creating new/further irregularities, and in rare cases, fat embolisation (fat breaking off and traveling in blood stream.
Frequently asked questions
What are the benefits of fat grafting?
There are many benefits of fat grafting – the most significant is that it does not involve the use of foreign materials. Fat grafting utilises the individual's own tissue to contour, enhance, and reshape the face or body. Fat grafting can also rejuvenate the skin testure. Fat grafting only involves small incisions in the fat graft harvest and injection sites.
Fat grafting can provide individuals with long-lasting and natural-looking results.
Can you lose weight from fat grafting?
Fat grafting is a body contouring procedure, not a weight-loss procedure although fat graft is obtained from liposuction. Individuals who undergo a fat grafting procedure are generally in good physical and emotional health and have an adequate amount of fat available to be removed and transferred to the desired areas.
Get in touch
If you’d like to know more about our head and neck, plastic or skin cancer surgical services, or if you have a question for Dr Ch’ng, we’d love to hear from you.
