Fat Transfer

Fat transfer provides bulk to areas that have lost the natural fat

This supports problem areas like cheeks, lips, nasolabial folds producing a more youthful appearance. Fat transfer was developed in Paris by Dr Pierre Fournier in 1972 and the technique has been refined by him, Dr Giorgio Fischer (Italy) and others over the last 30 years. Dr John Barrett of Palm Clinic has been taught fat transfer by Dr Fournier and Dr Fischer and incorporates this into his busy liposuction practice. 

Fat is aspirated from areas such as your outer thigh or abdomen and after a process of extracting the fluid the fat is injected into areas on your face. The fat can be permanent, although in some people can be reabsorbed after several months. The fat will stay permanently if it is able to establish it's own natural blood supply. This is improved with the "Coleman" technique where small amounts of fat are implanted in microstrips.  Generally this requires about three treatments around three months apart.

Areas That Can Be Treated

Facial Areas Improved by Fat Transfer:

• Lips
• Cheeks
• Under the eyes
• Hands
• Oral Commissures
• Nasolabial Folds

The main advantage of fat is its safety.  Because we use your own fat the body will not treat it as a foreign substance.  Although infection is possible it is uncommon.  Fat can be stored for up to one year so the initial treatment will include aspiration of enough fat for at least three treatments and the first fat transplant is performed.

Synthetic dermal fillers such as Juvederm, Esthelis and Restylane are replacing the use of fat in many patients as the administration of these fillers is much easier and the products produce very predictable results which can last anything upto 2 years.