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Fat Transfers in Oakland, CA

Dr. Gabriel H. Patino offers fat transfer services to residents of Oakland, Berkeley, and the surrounding areas of California.

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Fat transfer, also known as fat injection, fat grafting, or micro-lipoinjection, has many uses in cosmetic surgery. Fat is usually removed from one area of the body—typically the abdomen, hips, or thighs–and reinjected into other areas that need volume enhancement or fat replacement—such as the buttocks, breasts, or even the face. Fat transfer is safe and produces natural-appearing results that last for years.

At our facility in El Cerrito, the fat grafting surgery is performed using sterile techniques in our own operating room. The fat is harvested from the donor site with a specially designed needle, a liposuction cannula. The fat then undergoes a purification process in which excess fluid, blood, and other components are removed. Finally, the fat is injected into the target area where augmentation is desired. The injection needle is usually inserted repeatedly in a grid pattern across the area to create a network of threads of fat graft. The transplant area may then be massaged by Dr. Patino for a softer contour.

After fat transplantation, the transferred fat will usually “take” and successfully stay in place for years to come. There is no risk of the body rejecting the transplant because, unlike an implant, the fat graft is not foreign to the body. Also, there is practically no risk of other complications associated with implants, such as rupture or leakage. Swelling, however, is common after fat grafting, but it usually resolves within two to three weeks. The extent of swelling is primarily dependent on the location of the fat graft. You will be instructed not to sit or lie on the treated area for prolonged periods of time during the first three or four weeks–you must either lie on your side or sit on a soft surface or pillow.

How Much Does Fat Transfer Cost in Oakland?

Pricing for a fat transfer will depend on a number of different issues. At your initial consultation, we will review all of your pricing and financing options. For further information, view our patient financing page.

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Buttock Enhancement

The beauty of one’s body is greatly influenced by buttock shape and its proportion relative to the rest of the body. Reshaping the buttocks can do much to increase self-confidence. Therefore, we offer the buttock lift, also known as the “Brazilian Butt Lift,” to each of our clients who undergoes liposuction. Instead of placing an implant in the buttocks, which is sometimes uncomfortable and unattractive, we transfer the client’s own fat to the buttocks, which results in a natural appearance and feels natural as well. It is important to perform this buttock fat transfer at the time of liposuction because the client may never again have enough fat to reshape and revitalize the buttocks.

Many of our clients wish to combine the buttock lift with a complete makeover that includes breast enhancement, as well as a tummy tuck. When the body’s fat is used to reshape the hips and buttocks, the waistline and hips become shapelier. A buttock lift invigorates the entire profile. The sagging buttock skin becomes tighter and uplifted, allowing clothing to fit better and causing the client to feel rejuvenated.

Implants vs. Fat Transfer

Our preferred approach to buttock augmentation is fat grafting—that is, transplanting the client’s own body fat to resculpt the butt. Fat transplantation accomplishes a more natural-appearing result than using an implant and also has less risk of infection. An added benefit of fat transfer is that the areas around the buttocks can be reshaped, improving the finished outcome. The lower back and hips can be sculpted to enhance and further augment buttock fullness when required. On the other hand, there are instances when implants would be the preferred choice for enhancement, as in the case of clients, such as bodybuilders, with very little body fat.

Buttock Augmentation with Fat Transfer

Buttock augmentation with fat transfer, also known as the “Brazilian Butt Lift,” in honor of the country in which it was developed, is a two-step process. In the first step, the client’s own fat is harvested. The usual areas for this liposuction are the lower back, stomach, thighs, waist, and flanks (love handles).

Removing the fat from those areas has the double benefit of reshaping the areas while harvesting ample fat cells for buttock enhancement. Liposuctioning fat from the lower back produces a sculpted curve that attractively offsets the buttocks. The removed fat is then purified by a special process that yields the best quality fat to reinsert into the body.

In the second step of buttock augmentation, the purified fat is inserted into the buttocks with hundreds of tiny injections. The fat is injected into the layers of tissue at varying depths (just under the skin, between the skin and muscle, and deep into the muscle). This method of fat injection produces the smoothest, most pleasing outcome, an attractive contour that will last for years.

At our facility, we recognize that every client has a unique body type and frame; therefore, we tailor a personal plan for each client so that his or her body shape is enhanced to the utmost, resulting in a youthful and natural appearance.

Additional Body Contouring Procedures

Fat Transfer FAQs

The results of your fat transfer have the potential to last a lifetime. That being said, it’s important to note that extreme weight fluctuations may disrupt the results of your fat transfer procedure. Dr. Patino and his team typically recommend leading a healthy and active lifestyle to better maintain your desired results for years to come.

The fat transfer itself is not very painful as Dr. Patino will use anesthesia throughout the procedure to ensure you remain as comfortable as possible throughout your surgery. Following your fat transfer, you will likely experience swelling, bruising, and tenderness around the areas you received liposuction and the areas in which your fat was transferred. Most patients are able to return to their normal daily activities including work and mild exercise within two weeks of surgery.

The answer to this question is both yes and no. Because the fat cells need to settle in the area in which they are transferred, Dr. Patino and his staff typically remind patients there is a chance up to 30 percent of the transferred fat will be reabsorbed into the body following surgery. This means your results following your recovery may differ from the results you see immediately following surgery. That being said, your results following six to 12 months of healing are the results you’ll be able to enjoy for years to come.

Following your fat transfer, you may experience:

  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Tenderness around the treated areas
  • Risk of infection

At The Cosmetic Surgical Center of El Cerrito, we specialize in surgical and non-surgical cosmetic surgery, skin rejuvenation, and hair restoration to achieve youthful and natural results for the residents of Oakland, Berkeley, and surrounding areas of California. Contact us today for a FREE initial consultation.