Autologous Fat Surgery in New York City: A Comprehensive Guide

Autologous fat surgery, also known as fat transfer or fat grafting, has become an increasingly popular cosmetic and reconstructive procedure in New York City. This technique involves removing fat from one part of the patient's body and transferring it to another area where volume is desired. In this article, we will explore the list of hospitals and medical facilities in New York City that offer autologous fat surgery, as well as provide detailed information about the procedure itself.

What is Autologous Fat Surgery?

Autologous fat surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that uses the patient's own fat as a natural filler. It has several advantages over other methods, such as synthetic fillers or implants. The fat is harvested through liposuction from areas like the abdomen, thighs, hips, or love handles. After purification, the fat is then injected into the targeted area, such as the breasts, buttocks, face, or hands.

Benefits of Autologous Fat Surgery

• Natural Results: Since the fat is taken from the patient's own body, the results look and feel more natural compared to using synthetic materials.
• Low Risk of Rejection: There is a minimal risk of allergic reaction or rejection because the fat is the patient's own tissue.
• Versatility: Fat can be transferred to various parts of the body, allowing for customization according to the patient's needs and aesthetic goals.
• Simultaneous Body Contouring: The liposuction part of the procedure helps in slimming down the donor area while adding volume to the recipient area.
• Long - Lasting Results: Once the transferred fat cells settle, the results can be permanent, although some adjustments may be needed over time.

Areas Where Fat Can Be Transferred

Fat can be placed in almost any location where the patient desires more volume. Some of the popular areas include:

Face

• Cheeks: Fat transfer can restore volume to sunken cheeks, giving a more youthful appearance.
• Lips: Plumping up thin lips for a fuller and more sensual look.
• Nasolabial Folds: Reducing the appearance of the lines between the nose and mouth.
• Temples: Filling in hollow temples to enhance the facial contour.

Body

• Breasts: Fat transfer for breast augmentation or reconstruction provides a natural - looking alternative to implants.
• Buttocks: Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is a popular procedure that uses fat transfer to enhance the size and shape of the buttocks.
• Hands: Restoring volume to aging hands and reducing the appearance of veins and tendons.

Hospitals and Medical Facilities in New York City for Autologous Fat Surgery

Luxurgery

Dr. Sachin Shridharani at Luxurgery is a board - certified plastic surgeon in Manhattan. His patients have the option to have their fat transfer procedures performed at his office or at area hospitals and “surgicenters” in New York City. The operating room and facility are certified and accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF). Dr. Shridharani offers personalized treatment plans and has years of experience in fat transfer procedures.

Mount Sinai - New York

At Mount Sinai West, under the direction of Hani Sbitany, MD, they have special expertise in the most advanced, muscle - sparing, microsurgical technique called DIEP (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator) flap breast reconstruction, which is a form of autologous breast reconstruction. This technique takes a piece of skin and fat from the lower abdomen and transfers it to the chest to reconstruct the breast after mastectomy, offering a more natural - looking and long - lasting solution compared to implant reconstruction.

Dr. Mark H. Schwartz

New York City board - certified plastic surgeon Dr. Mark H. Schwartz performs fat grafting, also known as autologous fat transfer or liposculpture. He uses the patient's own fat from the abdomen, thighs, or other areas to restore lost volume in the face, treating conditions such as sunken cheeks, facial lines, and acne scars. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis in his office.

New York Surgical Arts

Dr. Gordon Andan and his team at New York Surgical Arts offer fat transfer services at their two convenient locations in Manhattan and Long Island. They take a personalized approach to each patient's needs and desires. Fat transfer at this facility is used for various purposes, including breast augmentation, buttock augmentation, and scar treatment.

Dr. Leonard Grossman

Dr. Leonard Grossman pioneered the fat grafting treatment in 1993 in New York City. His fat grafting procedure utilizes the patient's own “autologous” fat and fat - derived stem cells to increase fullness and volume in multiple areas of the body, including the breasts, buttocks, face, and neck. The procedure is a safe and reliable alternative to traditional surgery and implants, with minimal scarring and quick recovery times.

Dr. Steven Wallach

Board - certified plastic surgeon Dr. Steven Wallach offers customized fat transfer treatment plans in New York City. He uses the latest techniques and technology to provide patients with the best possible results. Fat transfer can be used on the face, breasts, buttocks, and hands for scar revision, enhancement, and rejuvenation.

Dr. David Cangello

Dr. David Cangello is a top board - certified plastic surgeon in New York City. He has specialized training and extensive experience in fat transfer procedures, having been mentored by the pioneer of fat grafting techniques, Dr. Sydney Coleman. He offers fat transfer services for facial rejuvenation, breast augmentation without implants, Brazilian butt lift, and correction of liposuction deformities. He has an accredited surgical facility onsite in his NYC office and also has operating privileges at Lenox Hill Hospital and Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital.

Zuckerman Plastic Surgery

Located in the upper east side of New York City, Dr. Joshua D. Zuckerman at Zuckerman Plastic Surgery offers expert facial fat grafting injections. This procedure enhances facial volume and contours by transferring fat from one part of the body to the face, providing natural - looking rejuvenation and long - lasting results.

Candidates for Autologous Fat Surgery

Ideal candidates for autologous fat surgery are those who meet the following criteria:

• Healthy Weight: Candidates should be at a healthy weight with a reasonable amount of body fat that can be used as the donor site.
• Good Overall Health: They should be in overall good health and not suffer from any underlying health conditions that may affect recovery after the procedure.
• Realistic Expectations: Patients should have realistic expectations about the results of the procedure. The final results may take several months to become fully apparent, and some touch - up procedures may be required.
• Non - Smokers: Smoking can negatively impact the blood flow to the treated area, making it harder for the fat cells to survive. Non - smokers or those willing to quit smoking before and after the procedure are ideal candidates.

The Fat Transfer Procedure

Consultation

The first step in the fat transfer process is a consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon. During this appointment, the surgeon will discuss the patient's goals and expectations, conduct a thorough medical evaluation, and examine the areas to be treated. Based on this evaluation, the surgeon will provide a personalized treatment plan and discuss the possible risks and benefits of the procedure.

Harvesting Fat

The fat is harvested from the donor area using liposuction. Common donor areas include the abdomen, waist, hips, thighs, and upper back. The surgeon will use a small cannula to suction out the fat under local or general anesthesia, depending on the extent of the procedure.

Processing the Fat

Once the fat is harvested, it is processed to remove impurities and excess fluid. The goal is to obtain pure, viable fat cells that are more likely to survive when transferred to the recipient area.

Injection

The purified fat cells are then injected into the targeted area using a small needle or cannula. The surgeon will carefully place the fat in multiple layers to ensure a smooth and natural - looking result. The amount of fat transferred depends on the patient's needs and the area being treated.

Recovery and Results

Recovery

Recovery after fat transfer varies depending on the area of the body that was treated and the amount of fat that was transferred. Patients generally expect swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the treated area for the first few days after the procedure. Pain medication may be prescribed to help manage any discomfort. It is important to avoid strenuous activities and exercise for at least two to three weeks after the procedure to allow the body time to heal. Patients may also need to wear compression garments in the donor and recipient areas.

Results

It takes the body six months to one year to see the final results of most fat transfer surgeries. However, patients will see an overall change in contour and fullness within days after the procedures. The swelling and bruising will gradually subside, and the shape will continue to improve in the ensuing weeks to months. The transferred fat cells that survive will provide long - lasting results, but some fat may be reabsorbed by the body over time.

Cost of Autologous Fat Surgery in New York City

The cost of autologous fat surgery in New York City can vary depending on several factors, including the size of the area to be treated, the amount of fat to be transferred, the surgeon's fee, anesthesia, preoperative lab work, and postoperative care. Since fat transfer is often considered a cosmetic procedure, it may not be covered by insurance. It is best to consult with a qualified plastic surgeon for a detailed cost estimate.

Potential Risks and Complications

While autologous fat surgery is generally considered a safe procedure, there are some potential risks and complications, including:

• Infection: As with any surgical procedure, there is a risk of infection at the donor or recipient site.
• Bleeding: Minor bleeding may occur during or after the procedure, but it can usually be controlled.
• Uneven Results: There is a possibility of uneven fat distribution, which may require additional touch - up procedures.
• Fat Absorption: Some of the transferred fat may be reabsorbed by the body, reducing the overall volume achieved.
• Scarring: Although the incisions made during the procedure are usually small, there may be some scarring, which can be minimized by a skilled surgeon.

Conclusion

Autologous fat surgery offers a natural and effective way to enhance the appearance of various parts of the body. New York City is home to many experienced plastic surgeons and top - notch medical facilities that provide high - quality fat transfer services. Whether you are looking to enhance your facial features, increase the size of your breasts or buttocks, or improve the appearance of scars, autologous fat surgery may be a suitable option for you. However, it is important to choose a qualified and experienced surgeon, have realistic expectations, and follow all pre - and post - operative instructions. If you are interested in learning more about autologous fat surgery, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with a plastic surgeon in New York City today.

If you're considering autologous fat surgery, take the first step towards achieving your aesthetic goals. Contact one of the hospitals or medical facilities mentioned in this article to schedule a consultation and explore your options further!