lipofilling

Lipofilling, also known as fat grafting or autologous fat transfer, is a cosmetic and reconstructive procedure in which adipose tissue is harvested from one part of the body and transplanted into another area to restore volume, improve contour, or correct deformities. The procedure begins with liposuction to harvest fat, commonly from the abdomen, flanks, or thighs. The harvested tissue is processed to concentrate viable fat cells and remove non-fat components before being injected in small quantities into the target site, usually in multiple layers to maximize survival. Common areas include the face (cheeks, temples, lips), hands, breasts, buttocks, and areas of contour defects or scarring.

Outcomes and risks: Fat graft survival varies and may be incomplete, with retained volume often ranging from a third to two-thirds of the injected amount; many patients require more than one session for optimal result. Potential complications include infection, oil cysts or calcifications, asymmetry, lumpiness, fat necrosis, and contour irregularities at both donor and recipient sites. Rare but serious risks include fat embolism if fat is inadvertently injected into a blood vessel. The quality of results depends on factors such as fat viability, technique, recipient site, and patient characteristics.

Alternatives and considerations: Lipofilling uses the patient's own tissue, avoiding synthetic implants or foreign materials, but it is not suitable for large-volume replacement and depends on available donor fat. It may not be immediately permanent due to resorption, and results can fluctuate with weight changes.