Stem cells are basically premature cells that could be almost any kind of cell under the right circumstances. When a pluripotent stem cell finds itself in a muscle, the chemicals that surround it tell it to become a muscle cell. Take the same stem cell and put it in the brain and you might get a neuron. Stem cells are the cells that give rise to all the specialized cells of the body, even fat cells. Scientists are excited about stem cell research because these cells could potentially be used to create new brain cells in patients with diseases like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s. They may also be able to provide new skin for skin grafts. However some researchers are trying to adapt stem cells for use in almost purely cosmetic procedures, such as breast augmentation. Using stem cells for breast augmentation is an extension of lipoinjection or fat transfer. In fat transfer, fat that has been removed by liposuction is cleaned and purified. The purified fat is then injected back into the body (aka lipoinjection) to augment an area, such as the breast. The problem is that fat tends to break down after a while if it is simply injected into a new location. Stem cells could actually form new fat cells in the area treated by fat transfer. Japanese researchers have devised a method that adds an additional step to fat transfer. Since fat that is removed by liposuction already contains stem cells, they decided to try to use them to help prevent fat breakdown. After liposuction, half of the removed fat is purified to the point that...
Gummy Bear Implants Despite being used since the mid-90s and having approval for use in Europe, gummy bear implants have finally been approved by the FDA for use in the United States. Gummy bear implants are pre-formed breast implants that have specially cross-linked silicone to help them hold their shape and resist deformation and rupture. In other words, the silicone is more of a thick gel rather than a liquid. The two principal makers of gummy bear implants, Allergan and Mentor, received approval for use in breast augmentation and reconstruction in adults. Patient satisfaction with gummy bear implants is remarkably high and the complication rate is even a bit better than with other breast implants—specifically the capsular contracture rate is lower. Not everything about this breast technology is better, however. One issue with gummy bear implants is that they feel more solid than traditional silicone implants and certainly more so than saline. They are also more expensive. The biggest drawback to gummy bear implants, though, is that they cannot be inserted through small incisions, which means the surgical scar will be longer after gummy bear implants than with saline inflatable breast implants. Gummy Bear Implants vs. Traditional Silicone Implants When comparing gummy bear breast implants to traditional silicone gel implants, the most notable difference lies in their structure and consistency. Gummy bear implants are form-stable, meaning they maintain their shape even if the outer shell is broken, which reduces the risk of leakage and deformity. This makes them an appealing option for patients seeking long-term durability and a more anatomically contoured appearance. However, due to their firmness, they may...
A lot of women are now open to getting breast augmentation. They have recognized the benefits that comes with such a procedure. It makes the body look more proportioned and more appealing as it adds to a woman’s curves. However, breast augmentation procedures are usually achieved by inserting synthetic breast implants into the patient’s chest. This detail may not sit well with some people as the use of breast implants to enhance the body is not natural. In addition, there has been a considerable amount of controversy regarding the use of breast implants circulating these past years. Implant rupture and leakage may pose risks to the patient’s health. In view of this, cosmetic surgeons have come up with an alternative procedure that involves the use of microlipo injections. What Is Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation? This breast augmentation procedure actually recycles the excess fat extracted from the patient’s body via liposuction. Excess fat tends to accumulate in the following areas; the abdominal area, the thighs, and the buttocks. Fat from these areas are extracted in liposuction, and can be re-injected into the patient’s body as breast tissue. Transferring fat from one body part to augment another is not a new idea. Augmentation of other parts of the body like the biceps, triceps, the buttocks, and the lips, can be done using this same method. Fat transfer breast augmentation can be more preferable than other methods of increasing breast size because it makes use of the patient’s own body tissue. Using the patient’s own body tissue is definitely safer and more organic than using saline or silicone-gel implants. How the Fat...
Technically called microlipo injection, cosmetic fat injections are a popular procedure that involves removing excess fat from one area of the body and injecting it into another portion. The main goal of the treatment is not to get rid of excess fat, but using the body’s own fat to increase the volume of sunken or creased skin. This is different from other procedures that involve injections, such as collagen and Botox. The Procedure Often, the treatment is done inside the doctor’s office under local anesthesia. Depending on the extent of the treatment, the procedure can last from 30 to 90 minutes. First, antiseptic is applied to two areas: the portion where fat will be removed and the target area that will receive the fat injections. With a syringe or cannula (a thin hollow tube), fat cells are harvested from the buttocks, stomach, or thighs. Once the fat cells are suctioned, they are processed and purified so that no foreign materials that may pose risks can be included in the transfer. The fat is then injected beneath the skin into the treatment area. While results can be evident right after the operation, it’s important to know that the effects are temporary because transplanted fat cells will die without blood supply in three to four days. The transferred fat may also be reabsorbed by the body, thus undergoing this treatment may be a gamble. Enhancing the Face Fat injections have worked well for augmenting lips, removing laughter and frown lines, and plumping up hollow cheeks. Facial fat injections are done in thin layers starting behind the muscle groups and then working...
If we have not said it out loud, most of us have thought of how nice it would be to take fat from one place in our body and move it to another (In men, this is more often wished about hair!). Fat is unappealing when it is in some places but attractive when it is in others. Plastic surgeons, much like patients asked themselves the question: Since we have liposuction and dermal fillers, why can’t we just move fat from the undesirable areas to the chosen locations. The answer, it turns out, is autologous fat transfer (fat injections). What Is Autologous Fat Transfer? The word autologous simply means that instead of taking tissue from a donor, tissue is taken from the person themselves. Perhaps you have heard of the term autologous skin graft. Essentially the fat is removed through liposuction, cleaned, purified and injected into another place in the body. Of course the actual fat injection process is a more complicated than that, but the result is mostly as advertised: fat is redistributed from where you do not want it to where you do want it. Longevity of Fat Transfer Results One of the main advantages of autologous fat transfer is the potential for long-lasting results compared to synthetic dermal fillers. While some of the transferred fat will naturally be reabsorbed by the body during the healing process, the remaining fat cells can establish a new blood supply and survive permanently in the treated area. This makes fat grafting a more sustainable option for patients seeking volume restoration in areas such as the cheeks, lips, or buttocks. Many...
The coolest thing to hit plastic surgery has recently arrived! Fat grafting can take fat removed from an area where you don’t want it and put it somewhere you do. Officially known as autologous fat transfer or transplant, it will remove fat from an area of stubborn deposits, such as the abdomen, thighs or buttocks and transfer it to another area such as the breasts, buttocks or deep lines of the face for a self created breast augmentation or wrinkle reducer. How Fat Transfer Works Fat transfer involves the removal of excess fat from an area of the body where you might have liposuction done - most commonly in the buttocks, abdomen or thighs. The fat is then cleaned and injected into the face to fill lines, wrinkles and facial abnormalities, such as acne pock marks. It can also be used to enhance the lips and make them fuller. Longevity of Fat Grafting Results One of the most common questions patients have about fat grafting is how long the results will last. Unlike dermal fillers, which often require repeat treatments every 6 to 12 months, fat grafting offers much longer-lasting outcomes. Once the transferred fat cells successfully establish a blood supply in the new location, they can survive permanently. However, it’s normal for some of the grafted fat to be reabsorbed by the body in the first few months, which is why skilled plastic surgeons often slightly overfill the target area. For many patients, a single fat transfer procedure can produce natural-looking, long-term enhancement with minimal maintenance. Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer Recently, some physicians have started using larger...
As we age, facial wrinkles and creases become more prominent. The face also loses its fullness with increasing age. Based on research, the loss of facial fat is a very significant component of facial aging. When the layer of fat beneath our facial skin begins to thin, the volume loss contributes to hollows and contour changes especially around the eyes. The deflated appearance due to loss of facial fat makes the face looks older and more tired. Cosmetic surgeons perform facial rejuvenation procedures for patients who want an improvement on their facial skin texture and volume. Facial rejuvenation surgery requires replacing the lost fat. Improving the volume of the face makes one look younger and healthier. What is Fat Transfer? Fat transfer is also called micro-lipo injection or autologous fat transplantation. This cosmetic procedure improves fullness of facial features with a patient’s own fat. Fat transfer is popular alternative to treatments for wrinkles. Fat transfer is designed to re-contour your face and can provide definition to your cheeks and chin. It can be used to correct skin deformities such as deep furrows, facial wrinkles and other depressions on other body areas. Since this treatment uses your own fat cells, allergic or rejection reaction will not occur. What Are the Benefits of Fat Transfer? Autologous fat transfer offers several major benefits. Aside from improving the appearance of aging face, autologous fat transfer is natural. The material used is not from animals or synthetic products. The fat can be used to correct facial skin imperfections which include scars and depressions; it is also an excellent complement to facial resurfacing treatments. Facial...
