Procedure | Minimally Invasive
Nano Fat Transfer
Also known as micro-fat transfer, nano fat injection, ALMI, or micronized injection, this procedure is a refined and specific technique of fat transfer, where a small amount of fat is removed and injected into other areas of the body.
Nano fat transfer entails using an individual’s own body fat is used to plump up sunken or emaciated areas of the face or to add volume where desired. Because the patient’s own fat is used, nano-fat transfer requires three steps.
The first step involves the gentle liposuction of some excess fat (such as that found in the love handles, abdomen, thighs, or buttocks). The second step involves the isolation and cleansing of the fat cells and isolating specialized cells and growth factors. The third and final step involves the injection of the fat cells into the targeted facial areas. This may be done along with other treatments such as PRP. Progressively, these results will continue to improve over time. Studies show long-lasting results.
Local anesthetic is used to numb the area of the thigh or abdomen where the fat will be grafted from.
The fat is then liposuctioned from the donor site and prepared before injected.
The fat is then injected with precision into hollow target areas. Common areas fat is injected to are under the eyes (tear troughs), in the mid-face, in the temples and in the lips.
An under-eye fat grafting procedure takes 30 minutes to an hour to finish. Most patients feel fine within a day or two but it will just take time for the bruising and swelling to subside.
After nano fat grafting, swelling and bruising are common, and should resolve within a few days to a week. During the healing period, you should avoid the sun for about 48 hours, and if you need to be exposed to the sun, make sure that you wear sun protection. Pain medication, an antibiotic to prevent infections, and a steroid to help with healing are all prescribed beforehand so patients are prepared. You should thoroughly wash your hair with an antibacterial shampoo (such as hibicleanse) or soap (available in drug stores) the night before surgery.
The results can be seen very rapidly. The recovery process is generally 1-2 weeks.
Because the fat is the patient’s own, there is no chance of an allergic reaction or rejection. Although not all of the fat will develop a blood supply after it is transplanted, the fat that does will last virtually indefinitely.
Surgeons may often slightly overfill the targeted area as a certain percentage of cells do not survive. After about six months, the fat cells remaining should be enduringly established and last a lifetime. It is important to remember that time does march on and you will continue to age.
Patients will look overfilled at first 2-4 weeks after their procedure when they see the results. In some cases, a second procedure may be recommended for optimal results.
It is advised that you should have 3-4 maintenance treatments within six months to one year.
It’s common after a surgical fat transfer to have:
• Significant bruising and swelling
• Temporary numbness
• Small scars – these will fade, but will not completely disappear
• Loss of some of the fat from the injected area during the first few months
