Fat grafting consists of the transfer of fat tissue/fat cells from a donor site such as the abdomen or buttocks to the lips, cheeks, under the eyes and other areas. The face is the most common recipient site but fat may be transferred to the buttocks, hips or any other area where there is fat deficiency or indentation. Fat grafting can be carried out at any age.

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Benefits of Fat Transfer

Benefits

  • Adds and restores volume
  • Fuller more youthful face
  • Improved confidence & self esteem
Procedure of Fat Transfer

Procedure

During the procedure fat is taken from the donor site such as thigh or buttock. It is then injected into the area where facial volume has been lost usually as a result of ageing. For most patients results are immediate. Other patients report seeing best results after about 4 months, when the fat has fully settled into the area. Results are typically permanent.

Your Journey

  • What can I expect, pre treatment?

    A key aspect of preparing for any surgery is that your Surgeon understands your desires and expectations. At your initial ...+

    A key aspect of preparing for any surgery is that your Surgeon understands your desires and expectations. At your initial consultation, your Consultant will explain the fat transfer procedure in great detail. You will discuss your expectations and what he/she can achieve for you, ensuring you have realistic expectations of the results.
    Your Surgeon will also want to evaluate your current physical health and health history, ensuring you are a suitable candidate for surgery. Because a fat transfer is an elective procedure, you and your Surgeon will naturally carefully discuss the benefits and risks involved, as is the case with any surgical procedure.-

  • What can I expect, during treatment?

    Under local anaesthetic or sedation fat is harvested from a typical donor site such as the abdomen or buttock. The fat ...+

    Under local anaesthetic or sedation fat is harvested from a typical donor site such as the abdomen or buttock. The fat cells are extracted through a very fine cannula. The fat graft is injected through a very fine cannula. Pre-operatively with the patient sitting the areas to be injected are carefully outlined. When the patient is under anaesthetic, lying flat on the surgical table it is not possible to precisely identify the areas that required fat injection. The cannula is inserted through a small puncture hole in the skin which usually does not require suturing. When fat transfer is carried out as a stand alone procedure, patients are fit for discharge from the hospital approximately four hours following completion of the procedure. Post-operatively an antibiotic is prescribed for one week and light pain relief is taken – symptoms tend to consist of discomfort and tenderness rather than pain.-

  • What can I expect, post treatment?

    There will be swelling of the face and perhaps bruising also. The swelling will take 7 - 10 days to subside. An ...+

    There will be swelling of the face and perhaps bruising also. The swelling will take 7 - 10 days to subside. An antibiotic is taken for 1 week and mild to moderate pain relief is taken. An elastic facial support is worn in some cases.
    The fat donor site will not require specific aftercare apart from a pressure garment if a large quantity of fat has been removed. Recovery time is determined mainly by the duration of the swelling and bruising. With regard to the face this will be in the order of two weeks, by which time you should be fit to return to work and go out socially. If you work from home you should be able to resume work within a few days following surgery. You will not experience severe pain – tenderness and soreness represents the level of discomfort experienced by most patients. Everyone recovers differently but you can rest assured that we will monitor you closely to ensure the swiftest, safest and most comfortable recovery.-

Your journey of Fat Transfer

Your Questions Answered

  • What can I expect to pay?+-

    Cost should never be a deciding factor with an elective surgery. Trust, experience and aftercare are absolutely key. River Medical is widely recognised as the industry leader in Ireland. We are also proud to say that we adhere to the strictest of ethical guidelines and believe that only highly trained medical staff should advise on cosmetic procedures - be it surgical or non-surgical.

  • Who will I meet at my initial consultation?+-

    You will meet with one of our Consultant Plastic Surgeons who will discuss everything with you including your expectations and desires, the procedure and the best type of procedure for you, the results as well as any possible eventualities.

  • What is the recovery time like?+-

    Recovery time is determined mainly by the duration of the swelling and bruising. With regard to the face this will be in the order of two weeks, by which time you should be fit to return to work and go out socially. If you work from home you should be able to resume work within a few days following surgery. You will not experience severe pain – tenderness and soreness represents the level of discomfort experienced by most patients. Everyone recovers differently but you can rest assured that we will monitor you closely to ensure the swiftest, safest and most comfortable recovery.

  • Am I a suitable candidate?+-

    Your Consultant will assess your suitability and recommend the best treatment for you at your free consultation.

  • How should I prepare for my procedure?+-

    Preparation will begin with an initial consultation with your Consultant Plastic Surgeon, followed by a meeting with one of our Registered General Nurses. Each one will go through every aspect of the surgery in great detail. Prior to surgery you will return for a further comprehensive pre-operative assessment with your River Medical Nurse. Your Consultant will be available to you right up until your surgery should you wish to see him/her again.

  • Where will my surgery be carried out?+-

    Your surgery will be carried at our sister company clinic, the Fitzwilliam Private Clinic in Belfast, where thousands of procedures have been carried out for more than a decade

  • What sort of aftercare will I receive?+-

    At River Medical, you will receive excellent aftercare post surgery. You will receive excellent aftercare post surgery Aobhin Cronin Clinic Manager, RGN.

  • Will there be scarring?+-

    There is no scarring with this treatment.

  • Why choose River Medical?+-

    We are widely regarded as being the industry leader in cosmetic surgery. At River Medical, we never compromise on the level of care and attention we give each and every one of our patients, every time, and we are committed to you from procedure right through to your 24/7, lifelong aftercare.

  • Why do you not have before and after pictures on your website?+-

    Before and after pictures on websites can be misleading as they may not be patients of the surgeon who will be carrying out your surgery. As every person has completely different expectations and different treatment requirements, it is a much more valuable tool for your Consultant to show pictures of not only surgeries that he/she has carried out but also show you results you will be likely to achieve.

Safest, most experience & trusted of hands

Safest, most experience & trusted of hands

Testimonials

River Medical was my first choice when first deciding to have cosmetic surgery. I felt comfortable and confident at River Medical from my first appointment. All of the staff were very friendly and professional. My expectations have been far exceeded, I am extremely happy with the final result. Yes, I would certainly recommend River Medical to others, and I am doing so!
- River Medical patient on fat transfer surgery
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