Is fat transfer painful? Ask the Expert

Is the fat transfer procedure painful?

Fat transfer is not a painful procedure. You will be under the influence of anaesthetic or fully sedated during the procedure and will not feel anything.

Afterwards, you will be given paracetamol to manage any mild discomfort you may experience.

For patients worried about pain, it is always possible to have the procedure either fully sedated or under general anaesthetic.

Are fat injections to the lips particularly painful?

Cosmetic Surgery

Fat Transfer

Fat transfer, also referred to as fat grafting and lipofilling, has become widely accepted as the optimal means of soft-tissue…

Fat injections to the lips are usually not painful in the moment but can cause bruising and swelling for up to a week after the procedure. The extent of the pain experienced will depend on the patient’s pain tolerance, the type of filler used during the procedure, the size of the needle and the experience level of the surgeon undergoing the surgery. A local anaesthetic is given to the patient to prevent any pain during the surgical procedure.

How long does the fat transfer procedure take?

The fat transfer procedure can range anywhere from 30 minutes to multiple hours depending on the location fat is being grafted from, how much is being grafted and wherein the body it is being placed.

At the Cadogan Clinic, we can provide individuals with an accurate depiction of the time required for a surgery, to find out more, get in touch with us via the contact form on our website where a specialist will be able to answer any questions you may have.

What are the side effects of fat transfer?

Cosmetic Surgery

Fat Transfer

Fat transfer, also referred to as fat grafting and lipofilling, has become widely accepted as the optimal means of soft-tissue…

The most common side effects of a fat transfer include:

Bruising and swelling of the grafted area
Numbness
Scarring (this will fade through time or with the use of over the counter products)
Loss of some fat from the injected area during the first few months

These side effects, although common, will dissipate over time. Seek advice from a medical professional if any persistent side effects continue for a prolonged period of time.

Can your body reject fat transfer?

Your body will not reject your own fat from a fat transfer procedure.

Fat requires blood supply to survive so in order to survive through a fat transfer procedure those blood cells need to reestablish a new blood supply. The loss of grafted fat is often not seen as fat being rejected, but of fat that didn’t survive the physical and psychological challenges of tissue transfer.

You should expect 50-70% of injected fat to survive.

What is the fat transfer recovery like?

The recovery for a fat transfer can take a few weeks due to potential swelling and bruising and a full recovery may take up to 6 months. Directly after the procedure, you will be unable to drive and will need to wait for all discomfort to subside before driving again.

Where to go for fat transfer?

At the Cadogan Clinic we offer patients comprehensive advice around the fat transfer procedure, to find out more about how we can help or to address any queries or concerns you may have, get in touch with us via the contact form on our website where a specialist will get back to you. We also offer aftercare to patients through a 24/7 on-demand nursing service designed to ensure you are comfortable with your treatment long after the surgery takes place.

Treatments mentioned in this article

Fat Transfer

Fat Transfer to Face

Fat transfer for the face uses natural fat reserves to enhance your cheeks and facial features.

Fat Transfer

Fat Transfer to Body

Fat transfer uses natural fat deposits from your body to add volume to other areas.

Fat Transfer

Fat Transfer to Breast

Fat transfer for breasts allows for natural breast enlargement by using your own fat stores.

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