Is Fat Injection the Same as Fat Grafting?




As patients and surgeons have come to appreciate that the primary factor in facial aging is a loss of fat, a number of different restorative approaches have been explored.

Unfortunately, the terminology used to describe these approaches is often confusing since the same or similar terms may be used loosely to denote very different procedures.

The term used most imprecisely is "fat grafting."

Tissue grafting has a long history in plastic surgery. For instance, a skin graft is a relatively intact piece of skin removed from one part of the body and surgically attached to another part of the body. Tissue "grafting" (whether involving skin, bone, mucous membrane, etc.) involves removing a fairly structurally-intact piece of tissue and trasferring it to a new site with a minimum amount of architectural disruption.

"Fat injection shares
more in common with
a blood transfusion
than a skin graft."

Unfortunately, the term "fat grafting" is often applied almost generically to signify any movement of fat from one area to another. What follows is a listing of the basic available techniques for fat transfer with a more consistent and accurate system of nomenclature:

Fat Transfer: The best generic term that encompasses all procedures used to move fat by any technique from one area to another

Fat Grafting: The transfer of relatively intact structural units of fat tissue from one body area to another. While unattached to their original blood supply, such grafts retain much of their normal architecture (cellular relationships, blood vessels, nerves, surrounding connective tissue, etc). True fat grafts are not unlike skin grafts, where rapid and permanent incorporation into the recipient site is the usual outcome.

Fat Injection: The transfer of fat cells and/or disrupted fat globules obtained using liposuction by withdrawal into a syringe and injection through a cannula (a sort of blunt needle). Fat injection shares more in common with a blood transfusion than a skin graft.

Autologous Fat Transplantation: A more technical but accurate way of saying "fat injection"

Microlipoinjection: Another term for "fat injection"

Lid to Lid Fat Transfer: Movement of orbital fat out of one eyelid and into another

Fat Repositioning: The transfer of a pedicle (or flap) of intact fat still attached to its original blood supply.



Orbital Fat Grafting
Solutions for Eyelid Hollowness and Collapse



Overview
Socket Fat and the "Orbital Flat Tire"


Upper Eyelid Hollowness | Lower Eyelid Hollowness
Upper Cheek Hollowness | Preventable Causes

Treatment Options - An Introduction
Is Fat Injection the Same as Fat Grafting?

Pearl Fat Grafting | Strip Fat Grafting
Combination Strip-Pearl Fat Grafting Technique
Small Incision Approach

Lid-to-Lid Fat Transfer | Internal Fat Repositioning
Dermal Fat Grafts | Fat Injection | Dermal Fillers

Hollowness and Brow Lift | Doll's Eye Deformity
Hollowness in the Asian Upper Eyelid


Healing and Recovery

Removal of Excess Grafted Fat | Dark Circles
What is Meant By Under-Eye Hollows?
Pertinent Anatomy: Diagrams & Definitions


Orbital Fat Grafting FAQs

Surgery Photographed:
Lower Hollowness: Orbital Pearl Fat Grafting
Upper Hollowness: Orbital Strip Fat Grafting
Advanced Upper Hollowess: Combination Strip-Pearl Approach
Upper Hollowness: Internal Repositioning


That Tiny Roll of Upper Eyelid Skin (video)

About Dr. Meronk and Eyelid Hollowness
Fees | Contact Us | Live Far Away? | Online iConsultation


Blepharoplasty
Introduction to cosmetic
eye surgery with FAQs
blepharoplasty news - eyelid surgery reference
Revisional Blepharoplasty
Unsatisfactory results after cosmetic eye surgery
Upper Blepharoplasty
Cosmetic surgery for
the upper eyelids
Lower Blepharoplasty
Cosmetic surgery for
the lower eyelids
blepharoplasty guide - eyelid surgery resource
Asian Eyelid Surgery Resource
Double eyelid surgery
Eyelid Surgery Photos
Before-and-after patient
photos
Eyelid QuickNotes
Compare and contrast
procedure pros and cons
Operations Step-by-Step
Blepharoplasty shown
start to finish
Eyelid Owner's Manual
Articles on eyelid care
and maintenance
Healing and Recovery
Before and after upper
and lower blepharoplasty
Atlas of Eyelid Anatomy
Pictures and diagrams of
lid and facial anatomy
Blepharoplasty Videos
View analysis of actual patients and their results
Orbital Fat Grafting
Solutions for upper and
lower eyelid hollowness
iConsultation
A time-saving option
for new patient contact

The Doctor | Subspecialty | Our Office | Contact Us
Patient Comments | Fees | Site Map | Live Far Away?

 

© 2000-2008 Frank Meronk, Jr., M.D.
All Rights Reserved

Disclaimer: Information, observations, and opinions are offered for general reference only and should not be misconstrued as medical advice. Base all medical decisions solely upon the recommendations of your doctors. By using this site, you signify full acceptance of our Terms of Use.

Fat Transfer and Fat Grafting

Blepharoplasty - Home