Introduction
Autologous fat contour filling, also known as fat transfer or fat grafting, has become an increasingly popular cosmetic procedure in New York City. This natural alternative to synthetic fillers offers numerous benefits, including long - lasting results, minimal risk of allergies, and the dual benefit of body contouring. In this article, we will explore the top experts in New York City hospitals who specialize in autologous fat contour filling, along with in - depth information about the procedure itself.
Understanding Autologous Fat Contour Filling
What is Autologous Fat Contour Filling?
Autologous fat contour filling, or autologous fat transplantation, is a procedure that involves relocating fat from one area of the body to another. This technique is used for various purposes, such as facial contouring, breast augmentation, and buttock enhancement. It is a natural and non - allergenic injectable treatment that provides long - lasting, natural - looking results. The fat is typically suctioned from areas like the thighs or abdomen using tumescent liposuction and then purified before being injected into the target area.
How it Works
The process begins with liposuction to remove fat from the donor area. The harvested fat then undergoes a purification process, which involves passing it through a centrifuge to isolate the fat from other unwanted fluids and filtering to remove impurities. Once purified, the healthy, viable fat cells are injected in tiny droplets underneath the skin of the target area. Over time, around 60 - 75% of the transferred fat cells will establish their own blood supply and remain in place permanently, while the body will absorb the rest.
Common Treatment Areas
- Facial Areas: This includes marionette lines, laugh lines, under - eye treatment (such as dark circles), cheek enhancement, and hand rejuvenation.
- Body Areas: Fat transfers can be used to enhance the buttocks and breasts as an alternative to implants, as well as to address indentations and hollowness in the thighs and other parts of the body.
The Ranking List of Experts in New York City
Dr. Ariel Ostad
Dr. Ariel Ostad is a triple - board - certified dermatologist and plastic surgeon with a practice on the upper east side of Manhattan. He has over two years of experience in his field and has perfected his fat transfer technique to offer the best results with minimal recovery time.
Credentials
- Top fat transfer expert
- Top - rated Mohs micrographic surgery provider
- Received training at Harvard, UCLA, and NYU
- Triple - board - certified specialist in Mohs micrographic surgery, cosmetic dermatology, and facial cosmetic surgery
- NYU dermatologic surgical attending of the year (awarded 3 times)
- Top doctor, as listed by Castle Connolly between 2012 and 2024
- New York Super Doctor (2014 - 2024)
- NYU Department of Dermatology clinical associate professor
Treatment Approach
Dr. Ostad provides personalized treatment plans based on each patient's specific needs. The fat transfer procedure at his office involves a thorough consultation to review the patient's medical history and aesthetic goals. The fat is then removed using liposuction, filtered and purified, and finally injected into the treatment site. He also offers the option of cryopreserving excess fat cells for future treatments.
Dr. Sachin Shridharani
Dr. Sachin Shridharani is a board - certified plastic surgeon at Luxurgery in Manhattan. He has been proudly serving patients in New York City for years, helping them improve their looks and restore confidence through fat transfer procedures.
Treatment Offerings
Patients can 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). Ideal candidates for his fat transfer procedures are those at a healthy weight with a reasonable amount of body fat, in overall good health, and with realistic expectations about the results.
Advantages
The procedure allows for versatility in treating various body parts, including the buttocks, breasts, lips, and cheekbones. It also offers long - lasting results, as the fat cells settle into the skin permanently. Dr. Shridharani provides a personalized treatment plan to fit each patient's body needs and aesthetic goals.
Dr. Adam Kolker
As a double - board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Adam Kolker brings extensive experience in facial anatomy. He approaches facial aesthetic treatments with the goal of attaining the most beautiful and effective results using the “lowest rungs” of the treatment ladder, which maximizes beauty and safety while minimizing downtime.
Fat Grafting for Facial Rejuvenation
Dr. Kolker uses autologous fat grafting as an outstanding means of restoring youthful volume and fullness to the face. The fat is gently removed from areas like the abdomen, love handles, or thighs and delicately transferred to lines, wrinkles, folds, and volume - deficient areas of the face. He favors the use of blunt - tipped needles, which dramatically decrease post - treatment bruising and increase the ability to inject facial fillers with meticulousness and finesse.
Patient Testimonials
Patients praise Dr. Kolker for his precision, gentle touch, and ability to produce natural results that make them look refreshed without appearing “frozen.”
Dr. Adam Schaffner
Dr. Adam Schaffner is a triple - board certified Manhattan plastic surgeon and is considered a fat transfer / fat grafting specialist. He offers fat transfer plastic surgery that takes excess fat from one part of the body and injects it into another to restore and balance the body.
Popular Uses
The procedure is used for a variety of purposes, such as breast augmentation, buttock augmentation, cheek augmentation, and chin augmentation. It can also be used to correct deformities or asymmetry, fill body defects caused by age, trauma, or excessive liposuction, and for hand rejuvenation.
Benefits
The benefits of fat transfer with Dr. Schaffner include dual benefits of removing unwanted fat and adding volume where needed, soft and natural - looking results, no risk of an allergic reaction to your own tissue, and long - lasting, if not permanent, results.
Dr. David Cangello
Dr. David Cangello is a world - class, board - certified plastic surgeon in NYC. He is one of only two surgeons in the world trained by Dr. Sydney Coleman, a pioneer of the fat grafting technique, and co - authored a chapter in Dr. Coleman's book on fat injection for correcting liposuction deformities.
Training and Experience
Dr. Cangello has an extensive educational background, attending Hamilton College for undergraduate studies, Johns Hopkins University for a master's degree, and SUNY Upstate Medical University for his medical degree. He completed his residencies in general surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital and in plastic and reconstructive surgery at Temple University.
Fat Transfer Services
His plastic surgery practice in NYC offers fat transfer and fat grafting as part of comprehensive plastic surgery services, which also include body, breast, face, reconstructive, and laser treatments.
Dr. Matthew Schulman
Dr. Matthew Schulman is one of the nation's top plastic surgeons in New York City. He is considered an innovator in his field and patients travel from all over the world to benefit from his advanced techniques and exquisite results.
Fat - Related Procedures
Dr. Schulman offers breast augmentation with fat, Brazilian butt lift (using fat grafting), and uses fat in various body contouring procedures. He has extensive experience in these areas and has taught his techniques to plastic surgeons from around the globe.
Patient Satisfaction
Patients are extremely satisfied with the results of his procedures, as evidenced by numerous real - patient testimonials highlighting improved self - confidence, natural - looking results, and quick recoveries.
Dr. Robert Schwarcz
Dr. Robert Schwarcz is a highly accomplished oculoplastic and facial cosmetic surgeon. He is known as a fat injection expert and is particularly skilled at fixing fat grafting problems, especially under the eyes. He has even created a special surgical tool to remove fat lumps.
Procedure Success and Risk Management
Dr. Schwarcz emphasizes that the success of facial fat injections can be technique - dependent. He ensures that careful fat collection, processing, and placement are carried out to minimize potential complications, which he notes are extremely rare (less than 1%) when done correctly.
Benefits of Autologous Fat Contour Filling
Long - Lasting Results
Unlike traditional fillers, which may need to be repeated frequently, the effects of autologous fat contour filling can last up to three years or more and can be permanent if the patient maintains a stable weight. This is because the body does not see the transferred fat as a foreign substance and is less likely to try to remove it.
Economical Alternative
Since the fat used in the procedure is the patient's own, the only cost involved, apart from the overall procedure fee, is the filtering process. This makes it a more cost - effective option compared to traditional fillers, which often involve the use of expensive synthetic materials.
No Risk of Allergies
As the fat is sourced from the patient's own body, there is no risk of rejection or an allergic reaction. This makes it a suitable option for patients who tend to have allergic reactions to foreign substances.
Minimally Invasive
The procedure typically only uses needles, making it less invasive compared to surgeries involving implants. This results in a reduced risk of complications and a shorter downtime for patients.
Dual Benefits
Autologous fat contour filling not only adds volume to the areas where it is needed but also removes fat from areas where there is an excess. This dual benefit provides an additional form of body contouring.
Preparing for Autologous Fat Contour Filling
Medical Consultation
Before the procedure, patients should schedule a consultation with the chosen expert. During this consultation, the doctor will review the patient's medical history, look for potential health conditions and previous procedures, and discuss the patient's aesthetic goals.
Lifestyle Changes
Patients are generally advised to avoid taking ibuprofen or aspirin before the procedure to prevent excess bleeding. Smoking should also be quit at least temporarily, as it can slow down the healing process.
What to Expect During and After the Procedure
During the Procedure
The procedure usually takes place in an on - site surgical suite or a certified facility and is performed under local anesthetic. First, the fat is removed using liposuction, then it is filtered and purified, and finally, the processed fat cells are injected into the treatment site.
Aftercare
Patients may experience temporary side effects such as bruising, swelling, and tenderness in both the donor and target areas. The donor site is likely to be more sensitive. Doctors may recommend icing the area to reduce swelling and wearing a compression garment to aid in the healing process. Recovery time and the ability to return to work depend on the fat transfer location and the extent of the procedure. Most patients may take a week off from work, while more extensive fat transfers may require a longer resting time.
Latest Trends and Innovations in Autologous Fat Contour Filling
Advanced Techniques
Newer techniques such as nano and micro - fat grafting have emerged. These processes refine the fat to a finer consistency, making it more effective for treating aging signs around the eyes or tear troughs. Additionally, laser and water - assisted liposuction techniques are being used to make fat removal easier while preserving more healthy cells. Enhancing fat grafts with stem cells or PRP can also prolong the longevity and efficiency of the fat transfer and support tissue regeneration.
Innovative Uses
Fat transfers are now being used for more than just adding volume to the face, breasts, and buttocks. They are being used to smooth out the skin in the chest and neck areas, which are among the first to show signs of aging. Fat grafting can also address subtle asymmetries of the face or body and help fill out depressed scars.
Choosing the Right Expert
Credentials and Experience
When choosing an expert for autologous fat contour filling, it is crucial to consider their credentials, such as board certifications, training from reputable institutions, and years of experience in performing the procedure. For example, a triple - board certified surgeon like Dr. Ariel Ostad or Dr. Adam Schaffner brings a high level of expertise and knowledge.
Patient Testimonials and Reviews
Reading patient testimonials and reviews can provide valuable insights into the doctor's bedside manner, the quality of results, and patient satisfaction. Websites like RealSelf and Healthgrades can be useful resources for finding reviews from actual patients.
Technology and Facilities
Experts who use the latest equipment and technology in their practice are more likely to offer better results with less discomfort. Facilities that are certified and accredited, such as those certified by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF), ensure a higher level of safety and quality.
Conclusion
Autologous fat contour filling is a remarkable cosmetic procedure that offers natural - looking, long - lasting results with numerous benefits. In New York City, there are several highly qualified experts who specialize in this procedure, each with their own unique skills, experience, and approach. Whether you are looking to enhance your facial features, improve the shape of your body, or address specific aesthetic concerns, choosing the right expert is essential.
If you are considering autologous fat contour filling, take the time to research the experts on this ranking list, schedule consultations, and make an informed decision. Your journey to achieving your desired aesthetic can begin by reaching out to one of these top - notch experts in New York City. Start exploring your options today and take the first step towards a more confident and beautiful you!
