Fat transfer or lipotransfer with Michael Schwartz, M.D., board-certified facial plastic surgeon and diplomate of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery can dramatically restore and augment volume in the face, buttocks, and other areas of the body for those patients who live in and around Los Angeles, Pasadena and the surrounding communities of California, as well as internationally.
What is Fat Transfer?
Fat transfer involves taking fat from the abdomen, flanks and other areas that have excess fat, processing it and transferring it to areas that need augmentation, such as the aging face, the buttocks when desired, and also to the upper chest and deltoid muscles in men, and the breasts in women.
How Does the Fat Survive and is it Permanent?
Whether placed in the breasts, buttocks, face, or other areas, Dr. Schwartz carefully harvests fat with the least traumatic techniques and combines it with platelet rich plasma (PRP) for maximum survival. The fat is transferred in small aliquots so as to allow blood vessels to grow into the fat making the graft permanent. Dr. Schwartz has excellent survival rates for fat transfer in the 70-80% range. Fat is an excellent volume enhancer for the brows, cheeks, lips, midface and lower face. In the breasts, one can increase volume in a natural way without implants. Many women seek buttock enhancement and placing fat within the gluteous muscle and surrounding tissues makes for a permanent augmentation without the potential complications of buttock implants.
How is the Fat Transfer Procedure Done?
Fat is harvested as part of Vaser liposuction. The Vaser is an ultrasonic probe that disrupts the fat without destroying it. The area is infiltrated with tumescent anesthesia, Vaser energy is applied, and the fat is then suctioned into a sterile container, then washed and in some cases centrifuged, then transferred in small syringes to the area where volume is needed. There is no contour deformity in the donor area as Dr. Schwartz takes great care to remove fat evenly so that the donor area is improved in contour.
What is the Recovery Following Fat Transfer?
After your procedure, you will wear a compression garment on the area that fat was taken from, and in the areas to where it was transferred there is no dressing needed. You can shower on the second postoperative day. There is some swelling in areas where fat is transferred to, and this lasts for one to two weeks.
How Much Does Fat Transfer Cost in Pasadena, CA?
Your fat transfer procedure is usually performed as an elective cosmetic procedure and as a result is generally not covered by your medical insurance. The cost for your fat transfer surgery with Dr. Schwartz varies based on your personal needs and goals, and the areas being treated. Dr. Schwartz provides convenient financing through Alphaeon Credit, Prosper® Healthcare Lending, and CareCredit®, in addition to accepting cash, personal checks and credit cards, so you can look your best with a fat transfer procedure that enhances and aesthetically improves the appearance of the areas treated.
If you live in or around Los Angeles, Pasadena or the surrounding communities of California, please contact board-certified facial plastic surgeon Michael Schwartz, M.D., a diplomate of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery to learn more about whether or not fat transfer is right for you.
