In this article Dr. Lerma Gonce, specialist in Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, talks to us about liposuction, what it consists of, in which areas of the body it can be performed, the advantages of using the body’s own fat for this treatment and, most importantly, how important it is to choose a good professional who knows the precise techniques so that the risks are minimal.
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Doctor, what is lipoblastoplasty?
Lipotransfer is the surgical procedure by which adipose tissue from another part of the body is grafted into an area to give it volume and smoothness.
The fat taken from a donor area by cannula aspiration, is conveniently treated by centrifugation, decanting or filtering, separating it from blood, plasma and impurities and is injected into the recipient area we are trying to improve.
Depending on the thickness and amount of fat transferred, it will be a macro, micro or nanotransfer, with specific indications for each of these procedures.
In macrotransfer, large volumes of fat are injected and is indicated for buttock or breast augmentation.
Microtransfer is indicated for small volumes and is mainly used for facial rejuvenation, in nasolabial folds or between the eyebrows, cheekbone and chin augmentation. Nanotransfer, on the other hand, uses very small amounts of tissue injected through very fine cannulas and is indicated for intradermal filling of fine wrinkles.
Can it be used on the whole body or is it reserved for specific areas?
Although the main indications have already been outlined, fat transfer can be used in any part of the anatomy that requires augmentation.
However, the survival of the transplanted fat may vary from one area to another depending on its blood supply and anatomical idiosyncrasies.
What are the advantages of using autologous fat for other parts of the body?
Autologous fat has numerous advantages over non-resorbable synthetic materials. A permanent synthetic filler material has not yet been found that cannot produce serious health side effects.
Compared to hyaluronic acid, it has the advantage of being long-lasting. Once implanted and after a short period of time in which a partial reabsorption may occur, the effect is permanent, since they are living adipose cells, which will behave like any other adipose tissue in the body.
Being its own tissue, there is no possibility of rejection, since it does not create antibodies against it.
It is easy to obtain and is infinitely cheaper than any other material.
What are the properties and benefits of adipose tissue?
In summary, and as we have already explained, fat tissue is the ideal filling material because it is:
- HARMLESS. There is no possibility of rejection
- DURABLE. The adipose cells remain alive in the recipient area.
- EASY TO OBTAIN. Since the patient carries it with him/her.
Is the procedure risky?
Like any medical treatment, the use by untrained personnel, can produce complications not minor, ranging from infection to fat embolism.
As an example: intramuscular injection of fat into the buttocks – which is strictly forbidden – can lead to death by fat embolism. The adipose tissue must be implanted in the supramuscular plane and in the proper direction of the cannula.
Only a Plastic Surgery Specialist receives the proper training and knowledge for the safe harvesting, manipulation and implantation of fat.
How long can the effectiveness of the treatment last?
In some cases there may be a partial resorption of the implanted material of up to 30% in the first three months postoperatively. From this moment on the fat remains alive and will follow the process of thinning or fattening of any other body fat.
In these cases a second lipotransfer may be necessary to definitively solve the case.