Preparing for Your Fat Transfer Procedure

How do I prepare for a fat transfer procedure?

Your surgeon will provide with preoperative instructions, answer any questions you may have, take a detailed medical history, and perform a physical exam to determine your fitness for this procedure.

• Your surgeon may take pre-procedure photos.
• Hydration is very important before and after surgery for safe recovery and the best outcomes.

In advance of your procedure, your surgeon will ask you to:

• Stop smoking at least six weeks before the procedure. This is to avoid poor wound healing and scarring.
• Please avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory medications such as, NSAIDs: Advil, Motrin, Aleve
• Arrange to have someone drive you home after surgery and stay with you for 24 hours unless you and your surgeon have decided on other postoperative recovery options.

What can I expect on the day of fat transfer?

• The amount of time your procedure takes depends on how much fat is removed and the number of liposuction sites.
• You will receive medications to make you as comfortable as possible. A lot of the time, local anesthesia and intravenous sedation are used for patients undergoing fat transfer, however general anesthesia is sometimes beneficial.
• Different monitors are used to check your heart, pulse, blood pressure and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood, for your safety during the operation.
• Your surgeon will follow the surgical plan discussed with you before your fat grafting procedure. Once the procedure has started, your surgeon may decide to combine different techniques or change a technique to ensure the best result. It is important that you trust your doctor to make these decisions.
• After your procedure, you will be taken into a recovery area, where you will be closely monitored.
• You will probably be allowed to go home after a short observation period.