Lipofilling, also referred to as fat transfer, fat grafting or Lipomodeling , is an established technique for body contouring. Adipose fat is extracted from areas with excess, such as the abdomen, back, and/or thighs, using a harvesting technique with special cannulas. The fat is processed and purified, then re-injected into the desired areas. A particular percentage of “overcorrection” may be done to overcome any possible resorption of the transferred fat in the following few months. Final results from fat transfer are expected to be visible within 6 to 7 months. Due to the mentioned resorption processes, a second procedure is possible in order to achieve an optimal result.
The fat transfer procedure not only adds volume but also reduces scarring and improves the condition and elasticity of the skin. Fat transfer is widely used for soft-tissue filling, body contouring (buttocks, calves, etc.), facial rejuvenation, and reconstruction, as well as breast surgery (both reconstructive and aesthetic).
How is the Lipofilling Procedure Performed?
First, your plastic surgeon identifies the donor areas, such as the inside of the knee, thighs, abdomen, “love handles,” back, and arms. Donor and recipient areas are photographed to compare before and after surgery.
Fat transfer can be performed under local or general anesthesia. Local anesthesia is used only when small volumes of fat are needed. Fat transfer takes between 45 minutes and 3 hours, depending on the volume of intervention. Adipose fat is extracted through 5-millimeter incisions, which are made in the least visible part of the donor area using appropriate cannulas.
The extracted adipose tissue is purified via special sedimentation methods for NANO LIPOFILLING or by centrifugation for LIPOFILLING. The ultimate goal is to obtain a cellular fraction consisting mainly of fat and stem cells.
The next step is to inject the fat. This is done through cannulas which are very small in diameter. Initially, the injected fat “survives” by receiving oxygen and nutrients from the surrounding tissues, but this source is gradually depleted. At the same time, new blood vessels begin to form to the fat grafts (neoangiogenesis). If the fat particles are too large (more than 3 mm) or are grouped too “densely,” the fat grafts will die. Therefore, it is very important that this procedure is performed by an experienced surgeon.
Benefits of Lipofilling
There are numerous benefits to using lipofilling:
•Natural Look and Feel: Because the fat used is from your own body, the results look and feel natural.
•Minimal Scarring: Small incisions reduce the risk of noticeable scars.
•Dual Benefit: Removes fat from unwanted areas and adds volume to desired areas.
•Improves Skin Condition: Enhances the condition and elasticity of the skin.
•Versatile Applications: Suitable for various areas including the face, breasts, buttocks, and more.
Lipofiling
At A Glance
Surgery Time
2 hours
Time off work
1-2 weeks
Hospital Stay
Day case
Washing
Shower after 1 week
Reasonably Mobile
1 day
Sleeping Position
Sleeping on back recommended for 1-2 weeks
Exercise Including Gym
6 weeks
Bras & Garments
Sports bra worn for 8 weeks
Sexual Activity
Restricted activity after 4 weeks
Full Recovery
6-8 weeks
Driving
2 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
Lipofiling
At A Glance
Surgery Time
2 hours
Time off work
1-2 weeks
Hospital Stay
Day case
Washing
Shower after 1 week
Reasonably Mobile
1 day
Sleeping Position
Sleeping on back recommended for 1-2 weeks
Exercise Including Gym
6 weeks
Bras & Garments
Sports bra worn for 8 weeks
Sexual Activity
Restricted activity after 4 weeks
Full Recovery
6-8 weeks
Driving
2 weeks
FAQ About Lipofilling, Fat Transfer and Lipomodeling
Your surgeon will give you detailed information for the preoperative preparation a few weeks prior to your plastic surgery.
The most important advice for smokers is to stop smoking for at least 2 weeks (or 4 weeks and even more, if possible). Smoking prevents healing and increases the risk of complications. You should not smoke until the wounds heal well, at least two weeks after surgery.
You should stop taking aspirin or medications containing aspirin, anti inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they all increase the risk of bleeding. Your surgeon will advise you how long prior to the operation you should stop taking these medicines.
High blood pressure also needs to be well controlled during surgery. So if your blood pressure is elevated, you should discuss it with your surgeon.
It is extremely important to discuss your expectations with your plastic surgeon. This will allow him to assess whether they are achievable with the selected procedure. In many cases, two or three sessions may be needed to achieve the desired effect, due to the fact that between 30 and 60 percent of the injected fat is absorbed in the first procedure and every patient should be aware of this.
The fat cells that survive add volume to the area in which they are transferred. This effect lasts a lifetime, but hormonal changes and weight fluctuations may be responsible for future increases or decreases in this volume.
Temporary numbness in the area of surgery during the initial recovery time is a common side effect. It is associated with swelling, mild sensory nerves trauma and the fact that local anesthesia is applied. In addition, bruises are possible in both donor and recipient beds.
After the procedure you will have to wear a special compression garment. It reduces swelling and bruising in the areas from where fat is taken, and its pressure facilitates skin shrinkage and soft tissue healing.
Do not put ice or wear tight clothing, e.g. bra, over the recipient area for 3 weeks. This allows the new blood vessels to penetrate the fat grafts. Smoking stops the formation of these new blood vessels.
Prices are formed individually after an online consultation and depending on the patient’s personal needs. Once we know what you want, you will receive our offer within 24 hours. You also can check our PRICE LIST.
Once you have made contact with us, we will organize a free video consultation with the surgeon we believe is best suited for your particular situation.
This consultation will be within 5 days of your request. Prior to the video consultation, we will ask you to fill out a questionnaire about your medical history and send photos of the problematic areas.
If necessary during the video consultation your doctor will advise you to take additional photos of the problematic areas and suggestions for the angle from which to take photos.
This consultation will be combined with a detailed discussion about your wishes and the possibilities for achieving them. We will discuss with you the expected results, possible risks and any other issues that you might be concerned about.
We advise you to make a list of all the questions you may want to ask concerning the procedure before the actual consultation. After the official request to us, and if you wish, we can arrange a meeting for you with our representative in London.
Within 24 hours of the video consultation, we will send you a costing describing the price of the procedure and the needed length of stay in Bulgaria. In the costing there will also be preferential prices offered for our partner hotels with which we work and for which we can guarantee the quality and comfort.
You will then have 3-4 days of time to reflect, and give us your decision.
If you decide to proceed and agree with all terms and conditions , you will have 48 hours within which you must prepay 30% of the total amount of the procedure. This amount is paid directly to the clinic where your procedure will be performed and thereby you will have a reserved date and time for your procedure and a room in the hotel you have chosen. The remaining balance has to be paid by the day before the procedure itself after conducting the preliminary examination in the clinic.
If you decide or need to cancel the procedure, this must be done at least 30 days before the date of your flight in order to be able to trigger a process for returning your deposit.
If you decide to cancel our services within the last 30 days before your flight, you must have a good reason for doing so (supported by evidence) in order to take your money back. If you cancel it within these 30 days and the reason is acceptable, your money will be returned, but you will be suspended 50 euro for an administrative fee. If you wish to change the date of the procedure, this can happen at least 30 days before.
If you wish, we can also arrange your travel from your home to the airport. We are partners with a transport company and you can use our preferential prices. This also applies to your return flight. To do this, you will need to send us the details of your flight one week in advance.
Upon arrival in Bulgaria, you will be greeted at the airport by one of our employees who will take you to your hotel.
On the day before the operation, you will have a preliminary examination, where some necessary tests will be performed (e.g. blood tests) and we will specify all the details related to the operation (treatment plan, proposal for some additional or adjacent procedures for a better outcome, recovery plan etc). Our employee will take you to the clinic and after that to the place where you are to be accommodated.
Before the surgery, you will need to sign an informed consent document (i.e. a document certifying that you have been informed by the doctor about all potential risks and complications and that you understand them) and agree to proceed with the procedure).
On the day of the operation our employee will bring you back to the clinic. Depending on the procedure, you may need to have one or several days of hospital stay. After the completion of the procedure and the hospital stay, our employee will take you back to your hotel.
During the entire stay, our employee will be at your service throughout.
If you wish, and if the procedure allows, we can arrange your stay according to your requirements but this must be specified in advance.
On the day of departure, you will be accompanied by our employee back to the airport.
If you wish, we can arrange your stay according to your requirements. This must be specified in advance.
You will be provided with a detailed plan on the recovery process.
Online consultations in the recovery period will be arranged with your surgeon, but if you have stayed in the hospital after your procedure, the doctor will give you post-operative examinations on the first and third days.
On the seventh and fourteenth days, preventive online consultations will be made to track how the recovery goes.
Online consultation reviews are also done on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6thmonths.You will be able to contact us at any time!
