Questions and answers

• What are the first steps?

  Before meeting with your surgeon, you may want to take the opportunity to discuss your concerns and expectations with one of our specialist nurses. She will give you information about this procedure and discuss what is involved in detail.

  When you meet with your surgeon he will listen to your concerns, examine you and then discuss the procedure and what results you can hope to achieve.

• What does the treatment involve?

  Both the area from which the fat is taken (donor site) and the treatment site are anesthetized with a local anesthetic. Using a syringe, fat is aspirated from the donor site, such as your thighs, abdomen or your buttocks. Once removed, your fat is prepared to remove excess fluids and thenreplaced in your tissues to treat the problem area.

  The amount of your fat that survives this initial grafting can vary from 35 to 100% depending on a number of factors including the quality of tissues in the treatment site, a patient’s age, previous scaring, radiotherapy, illness etc. The fat that does 'take' should last for many years and there are even cases of this fat enlarging if a patient gains a lot of weight. The fat that does not 'take' is absorbed by your body. Further grafting may be necessary to achieve the best result.

• What is the recovery process?

  Patients are up and around immediately after the procedure, and any discomfort can be easily controlled with medication. Some swelling at the treatment site can last up to 36 hours and there may be some bruising, which you can cover with makeup.

  For optimum, long-lasting results, patients may require between two to four fat grafting procedures over a six-month period.

• How much will it cost?

  Costs vary according to the severity of the condition, the combination of procedures undertaken, the amount of surgical time involved and the facility at which the procedure is carried out. We cannot offer an accurate cost estimate without seeing you. However we do offer complimentary no-obligation nursing consultations as a first step towards helping you understand your options and the approximate costs involved.

  A more accurate costing will be made after the first consultation.

This page provides an overview. More detailed information can be obtained during a consultation with one of our plastic surgeons. Please contact the Institute for a consultation.

Pre and post operative photographs of all procedures are available to view at the Institute during your consultations.