Losing volume is a common effect of weight loss or natural aging. Fortunately, both fat transfers and dermal fillers offer effective ways to replace lost volume and contour the face and body.
Natural aging and weight loss lead to volume loss, sagging skin, and hollow areas. Fat transfers and fillers address these concerns by replacing lost volume.
Dr. Dalia Tobbia leads Plastische Chirurgie am Klosterstern. She is a specialist in plastic, aesthetic, and reconstructive surgery. With her surgical touch and artistry, Dr. Tobbia approaches every procedure with maximum precision and professionalism.
If you are experiencing volume loss, Dr. Tobbia can help you find a solution. Contact us online or call our office at +49 40 46 091 076 to schedule your personal consultation.
About Fat Transfer Procedures
A fat transfer, or fat grafting, is a surgical procedure that removes fat from one part of the body via liposuction and injects it into another area to increase volume. Fat transfers have become increasingly popular in recent years. Autologous fat (fat from your own body) can be an ideal filler medium, as it is completely biocompatible and readily available. These properties have made fat grafting an ideal technique for soft tissue augmentation and volume replacement in both reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgery. (1)
Fat transfers are ideal for patients experiencing age-related facial volume loss and who want to recontour their silhouette. Most patients will choose to take fat from the flank, inner thigh, or abdominal areas. Dr. Tobbia then purifies it, ensuring only the healthiest and most viable cells are used. After this, she transfers it into the hollow areas. (2) Fat grafting can address concerns on different parts of the body, such as the breast, face, and buttocks, to correct irregularities, smooth contours, and balance areas like the hips to enhance overall body appearance. Moreover, a facial fat transfer not only acts as a volume filler, but also the fat stem cells, also called “Adipose derived stem cells,” which are transplanted with the fat, trigger an active cellular rejuvenation process that leads to:
- Collagen and elastin stimulation, which boosts skin elasticity and helps to reduce the fine lines and other signs of ageing skin.
- The growth of new blood vessels, through a process known as “Neovascularisation,” which improves local blood supply and leads to the improvement of local tissue hydration.
- Improves the thickness, texture, and luminosity of the skin; this process can continue for many years after the procedure.
Under the care of an experienced surgeon like Dr. Tobbia, fat transfers effectively replace lost volume and contour donor areas with a low complication rate. (2)
About Dermal Fillers
Fillers are minimally invasive, nonsurgical procedures that can address concerns in areas like the face, hands, and decollete. Dr. Tobbia offers hyaluronic acid fillers. This active ingredient is a deeply hydrating, naturally occurring substance that can instantly increase volume, stimulate collagen, target the deep skin layers, and create long-lasting results. Fillers are ideal for patients who have lost volume and/or want to improve contours without undergoing surgery. Fillers also have high patient satisfaction rates. (3)
Candidates
If you are struggling with decreased volume, wrinkles, an asymmetrical figure, and other signs of aging, you can benefit greatly from a fat transfer or filler procedure. Candidates for fat transfer are typically individuals who have excess fat in certain areas of the body, maintain a stable weight, and want to contour those areas while restoring volume elsewhere. Candidates for fillers typically want to avoid surgical intervention. All prospective patients should be in good general health, hold realistic expectations regarding their results, and be willing to collaborate with Dr. Tobbia to plan their ideal treatment. During your consultation, Dr. Tobbia will help you explore these options and finalize your eligibility.
Advice and Treatment
During your personal consultation, Dr. Tobbia will evaluate your medical history, examine your body composition and skin texture, and discuss your treatment goals. After collecting this information, Dr. Tobbia will create a personalized treatment plan that meets your specific goals, provide a cost outline, and address any questions or concerns you may have. If you feel ready to take the next step, contact us online or at our office directly at +49 40 46 091 076 to schedule your personal consultation!
Preparation
Effectively preparing for your fat transfer or filler procedure ensures a smooth treatment process with optimal results. Preparation requirements will vary between the two procedures, but in general, Dr. Tobbia advises:
- Ceasing alcohol consumption
- Avoiding nicotine products and smoking for two weeks prior to your procedure
- Pausing any blood-thinning medications or supplements
- Consuming a diet of nutrient-dense, whole foods
- Increasing hydration levels
- Arranging transportation home after your procedure
- Wearing loose-fitting, comfortable clothing to your appointment
- Scheduling time off work to recover comfortably
Procedure
Fat Transfer
The fat transfer procedure begins with administering the appropriate anesthesia. For smaller cases, patients may only require local anesthesia at the donor and recipient sites. In larger cases, patients may receive general anesthesia to remain comfortably asleep. Once you are comfortable, Dr. Tobbia will then insert a small tube (cannula) through tiny incisions and suction out the fat from the donor site. Then, she will purify the fat to separate the healthy, high-quality fat cells from other cellular material. Once she extracts the fat and filters it, she will inject it into the targeted areas. Dr. Tobbia carefully injects even layers of fat to contour the area with natural-looking results. Dr. Tobbia will massage the area to create a smooth, even surface, free of lumps or irregularities. Lastly, she will close the incisions and apply a compression garment. This procedure usually takes one to three hours, depending on the size of the treated area and the amount of fat to be transferred.
Fillers
Dr. Tobbia will begin your filler procedure by sanitizing the treatment area and marking the injection sites for maximum precision and symmetry. If necessary, she will apply a topical anesthetic to minimize discomfort. However, this is not always necessary, as some fillers contain lidocaine to make treatment more tolerable. After reconfirming your injection plan, she will inject filler into the treatment areas. Dr. Tobbia carefully injects the fillers and repeats this process throughout the desired treatment areas to replace volume.
Recovery and Results
After your fat transfer, you may experience initial swelling and bruising. Resting during the first week is crucial. After the first week, swelling, soreness, and bruising will gradually improve, and you can begin to return to daily activities. After the third week, your energy levels will rise, and you may begin to exercise, but you must continue to avoid high-impact activities until the sixth week, as it may interfere with healing. Wearing compression garments will help to minimize swelling and protect your new contours. Because fat transfers involve both donor sites and recipient sites, you must remember that you will be healing in two places, not just one. You should see your final results after three to six months. Fat transfer results are long-lasting and can be permanent, depending on the fat cells’ survival rate. The body will naturally resorb some of the fat after placement, but any cells that establish a blood supply in the new location will become permanent.
After receiving fillers, you may experience swelling, bruising, and tenderness for a few days. Although this procedure does not require extensive downtime, you can apply a cold compress or take certain medications to alleviate bruising and swelling. You should also avoid physical activity, intense heat (including saunas or hot tubs/showers), and pressure on your treatment areas for at least 2 days. After a week, swelling and tenderness will decrease, and your results will start to appear. After three weeks, you will notice the fillers creating natural, youthful-looking volume enhancements. Most fillers last between six months and a year, and possibly longer with regular maintenance treatments.
Cost of Fat Transfers and Fillers in Hamburg, Germany
The cost of your fat transfer and/or filler procedure will vary depending on the size of your treatment area, level of concern, and whether you will pair this procedure with other treatments. Dr. Tobbia will provide a cost outline for your procedure during your personal consultation. Contact us online or call our office at +49 40 46 091 076 to receive more information about the cost of your filler or fat transfer procedure!
FAQ
What is the difference between a fat transfer and fillers?
A fat transfer procedure uses the patient’s own fat from a specific donor area and transfers it to other parts of the body that need volume. Fillers use ingredients such as hyaluronic acid to increase volume in different parts of the body.
How long do fat transfer results last?
Fat transfer results can last many years and can be permanent with proper care and a healthy lifestyle.
How long do fillers last?
Hyaluronic acid fillers last between 6 and 18 months for moderate enhancement, but patients can extend these effects with regular maintenance injections.
How much do fillers and fat transfers cost?
The cost of your fat transfer and/or filler procedure will vary depending on factors like the size of your treatment area, level of concern, and more. Dr. Tobbia will provide a cost outline for your procedure during your personal consultation.
What is the difference between a fat transfer and liposuction?
A fat transfer uses liposuction to remove fat from a donor site. What makes it different is that it then uses this fat from your own unwanted areas as a filler to enhance other areas of the body. As a standalone procedure, liposuction only removes fat to contour the body.
References
- Abu-Ghname A, Perdanasari AT, Reece EM. Principles and Applications of Fat Grafting in Plastic Surgery. Seminars in Plastic Surgery. 2019;33(03):147-154. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0039-1693438
- Vasavada A, Raggio BS. Autologous Fat Grafting For Facial Rejuvenation. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557860/
- Hedén P, Sellman G, von Wachenfeldt M, Olenius M, Fagrell D. Body Shaping and Volume Restoration: The Role of Hyaluronic Acid. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 2009;33(3):274-282. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-008-9303-y