Autologous Fat Transfer (AFT)
Autologous Fat Transfer, also known as AFT, involves removing undesired fat from a certain area of the body (e.g. abdomen, waistline, thighs) and injecting this fat into another area.
We use AFT for facial fillers where the fat is injected into the nasolabial folds, tear trough, cheeks or other areas. Fat is considered a permanent filler.
Since the fat needs to be obtained from another area of the body, AFT is always an additional procedure to a primary operation such as liposuction.
Before and After Gallery
All before and after photos are of actual Akkary Surgery Center patients and are shown with permission. Please remember: these pictures are courtesy of patients who kindly agreed to share their experience on our website. The pictures are to be viewed only and not to be downloaded, copied, captured or used for any other purpose. Individual results may vary.
Additional Facts
Who is a good candidate for Autologous Fat Transfer (AFT)?
Overall healthy patients with loss of facial volume or with drooping of the cheek area who are aiming to achieve an aesthetic appearance of those areas and correct unappealing fatty tissue deposits (debulking) or achieve defined body contour (sculpting) in other areas.
What are Autologous Fat Transfer (AFT) contraindications?
Severe or uncontrolled systemic diseases, connective tissue disease, malignancy, unrealistic expectations, local skin pathology and pregnancy.
Note: A contraindication is a condition or factor that serves as a reason to withhold a certain medical treatment due to the harm that it would cause the patient.
How is this procedure performed?
- The procedure is done under local tumescence anesthesia with monitored sedation.
- This is then followed by emulsification and suction of fat preserving the skin blood supply and achieving the desired aesthetic results.
- The fat is then harvested, mixed with antibiotics and PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) then injected into the desired area.
- The fat is then injected into the desired area of the face e.g. nasolabial folds, cheeks or tear trough
How long does the effect last?
- It is reasonable to plan for over-correction as part of the fat graft might "not take" meaning some of the injected fat will be lost.
- The effect is long term but varies per patient.
What should I expect during recovery?
- Mild swelling, bruising and numbness are expected which usually resolve within a few weeks
- Icing and using compression garment can decrease swelling and bruising of the area where the fat was taken from
- Since the area is numb after the procedure, we routinely do not use narcotics for pain control and the pain is easily controlled on acetaminophen (Tylenol). Also, since general anesthesia and narcotics are avoided, nausea and vomiting are very rare after the procedure.
Where is the scar?
Very small incisions are used for liposuction and fat injection leaving very small scars that are not (or barely) visible
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