Nanofat Grafting

Nanofat Grafting

This procedure is also known as fat transfer or lipofilling which involves transfer of patient’s own fat to correct the deficiencies in other areas of his/her own body. Nanofat injection is the latest technique where fat is processed into fine liquid fat and used to augment the cheeks, chin, lips, nasolabial folds and scars.

2 Simple Steps to Nanofat Grafting

#1

A small volume of fat is harvested from your own body—typically areas that naturally have a little extra “cushion,” such as the hips, thighs, or lower tummy. The collected fat is then processed in a centrifuge to separate the fat from other fluids. The result is a smooth liquid concentration of tiny fat particles.

#2

This concentration is then reinjected to your areas of concern using an ultra-fine, hollow needle (cannula). Because the needle is so small and the fat concentration so smooth, small areas can be targeted directly to create detailed changes and natural-looking results.

When would you need a Nanofat grafting?

The indicators

  • Sunken cheeks (cheek augmentation)
  • Deep grooves running from nose to corners of mouth (Nasolabial folds)
  • Deep lines in lower eyelids and for under eye dark circle correction
  • Chin Augmentation
  • Lip Fillers
  • Facial asymmetry (Rhomberg’s disease) and Morphea
  • Depressed scars (Acne scars, Post traumatic)
  • Minor corrections after and rhinoplasty

The Procedure

  • The procedure is done under local anaesthesia.
  • Fat is procured from the patient’s own body. Eg: lower abdomen or thighs through a very fine cannula.
  • Then the aspirated fat is processed and made ready for injection.
  • The macrofat is emulsified, filtered to make it ready for deposition as microdroplets.
  • The fat is then transferred into special syringes for injection into areas in multiple layers and in microdroplet form so that each fat droplet is surrounded by normal healthy surrounded tissue from where the grafted cells derive their blood supply and nutrition.
  • The area of fat grafting is overfilled by 30 – 40% to compensate for the expected amount of fat resorption.

Post Operative Care for nanofat grafting

Immediately after the surgery

  • The procedure is performed as a day care procedure or office based procedure depending on the requirements.
The weeks that follow
  • It is usually advised to apply ice compresses to minimize the swelling in the operated areas for a period of 3-5 days.
  • The fine port site sutures may be removed after 5-7 days.
Full recovery timeline
  • You may be advised to start lymphatic massages once the suture lines are dry. This helps in evening out the operated areas, reduces swelling, pain and in achieving better contours.

  • You may perceive the result immediately after surgery, however due to over correction, it may take some time for the fat to resorb. You may perceive the final result in 3-6 months’ time.

 

You ask, we answer!

Nanofat grafting helps in regaining youthful appearance. It rejuvenates the face by making the skin plump, alleviating the deep facial grooves, and augmenting the natural contours of the face.

As in any other surgical procedures, the expected risks are bleeding, infection, fat necrosis, and cyst formation. Fat necrosis, and cyst formation are very rare in our experience because of adherence to fat transfer principles like microdroplet deposition, layered delivery and nanofat transfer.

To overcome the problem of fat resorption by the body, your team of surgeons usually over correct the area by 25-30%. However, the restoration rates are very less in micro and nanofat transfers because of better blood supply of the grafted fat by the healthy surrounding tissue.

Dermal fillers are a viable alternative. These injections are given to make your skin look plump. These are usually done for areas requiring very minimal volume replacement.

Dermal fillers may have to be repeated after a period of 9 months to a year as the results are temporary. Cheek and chin implants (silicone or Medpore) may be used to make them look more aesthetically pleasing.

In few instances, a second procedure or maybe even a third may be advised, as deposition of larger quantities of fat in the same sitting may increase the chances of resorption, and hence smaller volume injection in multiple sittings is recommended.

Results are long lasting, provided one maintains a healthy lifestyle and proper skin care. Cosmetic procedures can delay aging, but progressive aging and gravity may affect your outcomes in the long run.