Body Fat Transfer in San Diego & La Jolla

Body fat transfer (or “fat grafting”) is a safe, minimally invasive treatment that utilizes your own fat to provide volume as a natural filler to areas where volumization is desired.

Why Use Fat to Add Volume to the Body?

A large amount of research in both reconstructive and cosmetic procedures has been completed on autologous fat injections (body fat transfer). During your fat transfer procedure in San Diego, your own fat is removed via liposuction from an area of the body where it can be spared, it is then prepared as a graft, and is then injected into an area of your body where more volume is needed, such as the face, breasts, buttocks, or anywhere that has contour irregularities.

What the Best Fat Transfer Can Accomplish

Provides volume, lift, contouring, and definition to areas of the body where needed
Camouflages or fills indentations and irregularities from past procedures
Can enhance the results from certain other procedures

Dr. G is an amazing doctor and surgeon. The mini facelift—as well as the face tightening process and fat transfer—was a work of art! Only six weeks after surgery, many of my friends say that I look younger and refreshed. The outcome was so natural that I look and feel at least 10 years younger. The consultation and aftercare were equally excellent. I had every question answered before and after, and much later as well. Dr. G and Eva really care about their patients, and it shows.

Sandra M.

Advantages

of Fat Transfer

One of the primary advantages of Dr. G's fat transfer in San Diego is that you get to remove fat from one area and use it to add volume to another—so it’s actually a two-in-one procedure. Another advantage is that fat is a wonderful filler because it looks and feels very natural. And because it comes from your own body, there is no risk of an allergic reaction (as is the case with dermal fillers). Additionally, because fat really is your own living tissue, unlike a filler, the volume obtained with fat transfer can be expected to last long term.

The Fat Transfer Procedure

Body fat transfer is performed with the patient under either local or general anesthesia, depending on how much fat is being removed. This will be discussed during your consultation. Once you’re numb or under anesthesia, the first part of the procedure will begin: liposuction.

For a liposuction session, Dr. G will create very small incisions in the area where fat will be removed. This is typically the abdomen, thighs, or flanks. These incisions are nearly invisible once they have healed. Using these incisions, a highly specialized cannula will enter the area to break up and remove the fat.

Once this has been completed, the fat will be purified in order to remove contaminants and then will be put into a syringe so that it can be injected into the treatment area(s) to provide volume and contour.

Sometimes fat does not survive its new environment, and the fat transfer will need to be done again to achieve the desired results. When the fat is prepared and injected properly, typically 70% or more of it survives permanently—therefore, in most instances, a single treatment is sufficient.

Fat Transfer Recovery and Results

Most fat transfer procedures require 1-3 days of recovery time, although some patients will need to wear a compression garment for one week or so.

This will be discussed during your consultation. Common side effects include swelling and/or tenderness that may last up to a few weeks. Early results can be seen immediately, with final results visible at approximately 5-6 months.

Cell-Enriched Fat Transfer

One of the most exciting things we have learned over the past several years is the importance of stem cells and other adipocyte-derived regenerative cells (ADRCs) that are found within the fat. These cells have shown a remarkable ability to improve how the transferred fat cells “take” to their new environment, and also help to enhance the overall result of the procedure. Thus, cell-enriched fat transfer (CEFT) has become an excellent option for volume replacement. As a charter member of the Cell Society—an educational organization dedicated to the advancement of stem cell and regenerative treatments around the world—and a member of the faculty of San Diego Academy of Regenerative Therapies (SDARTs), Dr. G is positioned at the cutting edge of the very best fat transfer technology and the use of fat grafting for cosmetic plastic surgery.

Ideal Candidates

for Fat Transfer

If you’re interested in one of the best fat transfer surgeries in the La Jolla & San Diego areas, Dr. G is here for you. Those who make excellent candidates for fat transfer are those who:

Have enough fat to use from another part of the body
Understand that results may take time or may require multiple treatments
Are non-smokers in general good health
Fully understand the procedure, risks, and recovery process
Have realistic expectations for what fat transfer can do

Fat Transfer from Dr. G

In practice for over 20 years, Dr. Joseph Grzeskiewicz (“Dr. G” to his patients) is a board-certified plastic surgeon with a work philosophy based on love, care, and dedication. Part owner and manager Eva Tutic is also a patient advocate, providing emotional support for the excitement, anxiety, doubts, and worries that often come along with undergoing cosmetic procedures. If you’re in the San Diego and La Jolla area and you’re interested in one of the best fat transfer surgeons in the area, look no further. Body procedures are one of Dr. G’s primary services, and we welcome you to book a consultation with us today.

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