Fat Transfers in NYCFat Transfers in NYC

Your own natural fat provides a safe and transformative way to enhance desirable shape and contours in both your face and body, achieving a refreshed and more youthful aesthetic.

Better still, fat grafting safely harvests fat from areas where you want it least and injects it into areas where you want it most—whether that’s your breasts, face, hands, scarring, contour irregularities, or more. When performed by skilled regenerative plastic surgeons like Dr. Jimmy C. Sung of NYC, fat grafting provides natural-appearing results that outlast synthetic injectables.

Dr. Sung is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, and a member of the International Society of Plastic Regenerative Surgeons (ISPRS), who specializes in designing aesthetic treatments that highlight each client’s unique facial features. His personalized care plans may include micro-fat, nanofat injections, and other regenerative therapies.

Benefits of Fat Grafting for Facial, Body, and Hands Procedures

Lifts and volumizes cheeks for an overall more youthful appearance

Improves the texture and complexion of the skin

Improves scars and tissue fibrosis

Fills in sunken eyes and deep facial lines

Can enhance facial symmetry and contouring

Contributes to overall smoother complexion

Can improve the aging signs of hands

Less invasive than other surgical procedures with minimal scarring

How Fat Grafting Works

Fat is the most potent and safe source of regenerative aesthetics. Our fat contains stem cells, exosomes, and peptides that form the cornerstones of the biological and physiological process of tissue regeneration. Fat, scientifically known as adipose tissue, is much more than a volumizer. Adipose tissue contains biological properties that are crucial in the healing and regeneration of our body. When artfully transferred to areas with naturally lost volume, fat’s regenerative properties can rectify facial and body lost volume, improve scars, and improve visual signs of aging.

How Are Fat Transfer Procedures Performed?

From the comfort of our Tribeca, New York City clinic, Dr. Sung will walk you through exactly what to expect from fat grafting. Whether you choose to transfer fat to your breast, face, or other body parts, the process is best summarized as:

• Harvesting - This procedure, performed under intravenous sedation or/and local anesthesia, involves removing fat from the donor site with gentle liposuction and carefully transferring it using fine cannulas.

• Purification - The harvested fat is minimally manipulated to ensure maximum graft success.

• Transfer - Fat is injected into the treatment area using a needle or cannula, delivering it in thin, even layers with a precise fanning motion. Once all incisions are dressed, the procedure is complete.

The duration of the fat grafting procedure depends on where specifically you want the tissue injected. However, generally speaking, patients can expect the procedure to last two hours or more, depending on the complexity.

The choice of anesthesia for fat grafting depends on the procedure's details and whether it's performed alongside more extensive surgeries, such as facelifts, eyelid surgeries, or breast surgery. Dr. Sung and our anesthesia team will determine whether local, IV sedation, or general anesthesia is most suitable, and you’ll receive a pain-free fat grafting experience.

Different Types of Fat Transfer Procedures

Dr. Sung will compose a treatment plan specific to your facial structure and priorities using a combination of three different types of fat transfers: nanofat, microfat, and macrofat.

Nanofat

Nanofat, or "nanofat grafting," is a minimally invasive procedure in regenerative medicine and aesthetics. It involves extracting fat cells from a patient's body, usually through liposuction and gentle processing, into 400 to 600 micrometers (µm) particles to obtain a concentration of stem cells, exosome, and growth factors. This processed material is then injected to promote tissue regeneration, improve skin quality, and reduce signs of aging.

Nanofat stands out from traditional fat grafting due to its unique regenerative focus. While traditional fat grafting primarily aims to add volume, nanofat harnesses the regenerative properties of stem cells and growth factors. This unique approach promotes tissue regeneration, improves skin quality, and reduces signs of aging.

How is Nanofat done?

What are the uses of Nanofat

• Facial Rejuvenation - Reduces wrinkles, fine lines, and skin discoloration

• Scar Treatment - Improves the appearance of scars and healing fibrosis

• Hair Regeneration - In some cases, nanofat injections stimulate hair growth

• Skin Repair - Helps with healing and improving the quality of damaged or aged skin

When performing nanofat transfers, Dr. Sung refines the extracted fat, through minimal manipulation to produce a rich concentration of healing stem cells, exosomes, and growth factors. He then precisely applies the nanofat to target lines, scars, and skin texture, particularly in delicate areas with thin skin, such as around the eyes.

Microfat

Macrofat

Why Transferring Your Natural Fat is Superior to Synthetic Injectables and Surgeries

• It is all-natural - In contrast, fillers and bio-stimulators introduce chemical and artificial substances into your body. Fat is all-natural and has unmatchable regenerative properties.

• Long-term results - Many consider fillers’ temporary, non-committal nature as a pro rather than a con. However, New Yorkers seeking longer-lasting results would benefit from fat grafts.

• No risk of rejection - Fat grafting utilizes your body’s tissue, there is no risk of immunological rejection or allergic reaction.

• More natural appearance - When carried out by a skilled surgeon, strategically injecting fat can produce more natural-appearing results; while the difference will be noticeable, it won’t look inauthentic.

• Can be less invasive - For enhancements like breast augmentation or restructuring, fat grafting is a less invasive alternative to implants. The more minor incision results in minimal scarring and a shorter recovery period.

What Can I Expect During Fat Grafting Recovery?

Patients can leave our NYC QUAD-accredited certified operating suite to return home the same day as their fat grafting procedure. Swelling and bruising are common during recovery but usually decrease significantly within 72 hours. Depending on the treatment areas and extent of correction, patients are advised to avoid strenuous activities for several weeks.

What Results Can I Expect After Fat Grafting?

Patients can expect to notice immediate improvement following their fat grafting procedure. The treatment areas will be plump and smooth, but residual swelling may take several weeks to subside and reveal the final result in 6 months to a year. Carefully following all aftercare instructions increases the likelihood of success, producing long-lasting enhancement to the treated area.

Am I a Candidate for Fat Transfer Procedures?

Ideal candidates for fat grafting must have good mental and physical health and realistic expectations of the procedure. Fat grafting can be appropriate for both men and women who can relate to any of the following aesthetic concerns:

• Sunken cheeks

• Volume loss under the eyes

• Fine lines and wrinkles

• Small or deflated breasts

• Unwanted scars

• Tissue fibrosis

What are the Risks of Fat Grafting?

Serious complications associated with fat grafting are rare. However, any surgery or treatment comes with risks, even when completed with good techniques. The risks for fat include the following:

• Infection

• Loss of fat graft

• Unevenness

• Calcification of fat graft

• Oil cysts formation

• Changes in sensation

• Bleeding or hematoma

• Visible scarring

• Abnormal reaction to anesthesia.

Hear From Real Patients of Dr. Sung

“FROM START TO FINISH, MY EXPERIENCE WITH DR. SUNG AND HIS TEAM WAS EXCEPTIONAL ”

“I had a procedure with Dr. Sung about a year ago, and here's my long overdue review. From start to finish, my experience with Dr. Sung and his team was exceptional.

From the initial consultation, Dr. Sung made me feel at ease with his warm and friendly demeanor. He took the time to listen to my concerns and expectations, explaining the surgical techniques and the possible outcomes. I never felt rushed or pressured into make any decisions – he truly prioritized my comfort and satisfaction throughout the process.

The result was very natural did not look fake at all. It's subtle but makes a huge difference on my profile. I highly recommend Dr Sung if you are looking for a natural (but better) look!”

Dorothy M.

Patient

Why Trust Dr. Jimmy C. Sung With Your Fat Grafting Procedure

A surgeon performing fat grafting is like a sculptor shaping a form from clay; the resulting beauty depends on skills and artistic visions. Dr. Sung brings over 20 years of expertise to each fat transfer procedure, blending his surgical skills with a commitment to achieving natural-looking results. His command of artistry, science, and safety has earned him the trust of patients in New York City and beyond.

Yet, his dedication to patient satisfaction extends far beyond the operating table. With a holistic approach to medicine and a focus on personalized care, he tailors the fat transfer procedure to align with your unique goals. All fat grafting procedures are performed in his Quad A-accredited surgical facility in Tribeca, NYC, where the HIGHEST SAFETY standards ensure a superior level of care and peace of mind throughout your experience.

Additional FAQ About Fat Transfer Procedures