Instead of discarding the fat from liposuction, why not recycle it?
FOR MANY YEARS, THERE HAS BEEN no reconstructive procedure to correct contour deformities after breast-cancer surgery, particularly after a partial mastectomy. Patients are simply asked to accept and deal with the deformity, and this affects the patients, mentally and socially.

Now, autologous fat transplantation with or without adipose-derived stem cells can successfully correct these contour deformities. In simple terms, it’s the transfer of fat from one area to another area of the patient.

This can be done under local anesthesia with sedation, and as out-patient procedure. The treatment has been used for years to correct different degrees of contour deformities with varying techniques.

Instead of discarding the fat from liposuction, why not recycle it and inject it under the skin to “puff out” any depressed areas in the face or body, or to augment the volume of the breasts and buttocks?

Technically, it acts as filler like collagen or hyaluronic acid. The best thing about it is that it’s free and there is no possible adverse reaction or rejection of the material.

Volume changes

The popularity of this procedure has been on the rise as refinements in technique have evolved. I have been doing autologous fat transplants without adding adipose derived stem cells for the past 10 years to correct volume changes in the face due to aging and trauma, as well as diseases like fat dystrophy from HIV patients.

It is a very satisfying and successful procedure. However, there have been problems related to result longevity, unpredictable survival rates of the fat cells and occasional necrosis.

It is a fact that, as one grows older, one loses part of the subcutaneous fat and the facial muscles thin out. There is volume loss, which must be replaced.

Attention has focused only on face-lifting procedures. But the best way to replace this volume loss is by adding small amounts of one’s own fat at different levels into the muscle mass and just above the bone.

Increased popularity

Two recent developments have increased the use and popularity of autologous fat transplant. First, the technology to isolate stem cells from fat in the operating room without culturing, and the ability to re-inject it into the patient in its pure form or mixed with the patient’s own fat for volume surgery, has been refined. This enables real-time access to stem and regenerative cells.

The second reason is, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery has given its nod to the use of autologous fat transplants to augment the breast and buttocks of patients.

This procedure is the only method of tissue augmentation without scarring, without the possibility of rejection unlike synthetic fillers, and, in this case, the filler is free.

Studies made in Europe have shown very good results, especially with breast augmentation and correction of contour deformities after breast cancer surgeries.

Survival of the fat grafts is dependent upon the technique and expertise of the surgeon, as well as the formation of new and active blood supply triggered by the stem cells.

The other synthetic fillers available on the market have their uses in correcting other minor defects. But the autologous fat transplant treatment is the latest technique, and can be done as stand-alone procedure for facial rejuvenation, or in lieu of surgical facelift. It can also be done as an adjunct procedure after a facelift, to get further improvement—as icing on the cake, so to speak.

Dr. Manuel O. Fernandez Jr., a US board-certified cosmetic surgeon, has traveled to Europe and Asia to study autologous fat transplants. He is the head of the Aesthetic Center of Makati Medical Center, and is an associate professor at the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital Medical Center.