Annoying love handles on your stomach, hips or thighs? At the same time, too little volume in the face, hands or décolleté? This pattern is typical and we often encounter it in practice.
The obvious idea: the fat stays in the body, it just changes places. What sounds unusual at first has long since proven itself in aesthetic medicine. At the Swiss Derma Clinic in Zurich, we combine liposuction (liposuction) with autologous fat treatment. Also known as face or body contouring. The aim of the treatment is to harmonize facial and body contours in a natural way. With a very long shelf life and maximum tolerance.
In this treatment, fat is removed from one area, processed and then reapplied to another area.
How the treatment works:
First, the fat is harvested from the previously determined areas of the body, processed and injected in small quantities into the desired areas. For example, on the face, chest or body. The application fits seamlessly into the current trend „away from overcorrections and towards natural, harmonious results“.
Autologous fat is well suited for this because it is the body’s own tissue that can be permanently integrated into existing structures.
Fat cells grow in over the long term
The transplanted fat cells have to integrate into the new tissue and can then grow in the long term. Unlike artificial fillers, for example, they are not broken down by the body after a few months. A high percentage of this process works very well. Only a small proportion is metabolized. Refreshments are possible at any time until the desired result is achieved. How well fat is absorbed individually depends on various factors, including lifestyle and personal predisposition.
A major advantage of autologous fat treatment is that the injected „material“ is the body’s own and therefore very well tolerated. The effects are natural and individually controllable. If more fat is needed to fill out the hips or breasts, further treatment can be carried out until the desired result is achieved. The only requirement is that there must be sufficient fat reserves so that enough tissue can be removed.
| Current studies on breast augmentation (breast enlargement) with autologous fat show: On average, around half of the transferred volume is retained in the long term.
We therefore plan for a little more volume (fat cells). After liposuction (suction) and subsequent injections, it takes a few months before the final result is visible. |
Suitable for small to medium corrections
Autologous fat is well suited for small to medium corrections. In breast augmentations, for example, it is possible to enlarge up to one cup size per session. If a more significant adjustment is desired, we require further sessions, each a few months apart. Another option is a combination of autologous fat and implants, depending on the condition of the skin.
Important: The decision to undergo autologous fat treatment is very individual. One of the most important prerequisites is the medical consultation. Here we clarify all points and assess which results are feasible and realistic. If necessary, we recommend suitable alternatives. Arrange your consultation at the Swiss Derma Clinic in Zurich here.
Treatment for cheeks, temples, eye area, chest and body contouring
At the Swiss Derma Clinic in Zurich, we use autologous fat to even out volume and rejuvenate the appearance, for example:
- On the face, for sunken cheeks, flatter temples, loss of volume around the eyes, for subtle facial rejuvenation and for face contouring.
- On the body for discreet breast correction, balancing after weight loss, for body contouring.
- On the hands and décolleté, when the tissue appears thinner or more aged.
Not ideal for very loose and sagging skin
In cases of severely sagging skin, autologous fat injections are not sufficient. There must be sufficient elasticity and no major excess skin. If autologous fat treatment is not suitable, combination treatments or surgical tightening may be considered. In addition, treatment is often limited in very slim patients as there is not enough autologous fat available.
What about side effects and risks?
Typical side effects such as slight swelling, bruising or a feeling of tightness usually subside within a few days. Complications such as fat necrosis, cysts or calcifications are rare if performed by a specialist. Please note that weight fluctuations can affect the volume of the transplanted fat, as it is the body’s own tissue.
The combination of liposuction and autologous fat transfer is more than just „suctioning fat and injecting it elsewhere“. It is more of a redistribution. With this approach, we can even out contours and gently build up volume, gently build up volume and at the same time make transitions appear more harmonious.
It is best suited to people who want a natural change and understand that good results often lie in fine-tuning. Not in the maximum quantity. But in the right distribution.
FAQ
When does a combination of liposuction and autologous fat transfer make sense?
The procedure is particularly suitable for people who have excess fatty tissue in one area and would like a moderate increase in volume in another. Good prerequisites for this are a stable weight and sufficient own fat, for example on the stomach, hips or thighs. If you have very little body fat or your weight fluctuates greatly, planning is limited.
Which areas of the body can be treated with autologous fat?
Autologous fat is often used in the breast area, around the hips (for slim people) and in the face for natural rejuvenation. In the face, it can fill in sunken areas and make contours appear softer. On the chest, it is more suitable for small to moderate volume enhancement. The décolleté, hips or minor asymmetries in various parts of the body can also be improved with autologous fat, provided the initial situation is suitable.
How long do the results last with autologous fat?
Some of the injected fat cells grow in permanently, while others are broken down by the body over the first few weeks and months. The final result is therefore not immediately apparent. In the long term, healed autologous fat behaves like normal fatty tissue. In the event of significant weight fluctuations, the volume in the treated areas can also change.
Is it possible to significantly enlarge a breast with autologous fat?
Autologous fat can be very suitable for gentle to moderate augmentation. Less so for a significantly larger volume increase. This is partly due to the healing of the fat and partly because only a certain volume can be successfully introduced into the tissue per session. If you want a more significant increase in volume, you will need several sessions or an alternative treatment.
