Differences Between Fat Grafting, Liposuction and Body Contouring?

Question

I was encouraged to have fat grafted onto my breasts to prevent rippling.  It was taken from my skinny little legs but I was left with rippling, scars, depressions and cavities in that area. I have read lots of the cons to liposuction, all expressing the same dilemma.  I haven't read the same with fat grafting testimonies, except for the fat being reabsorbed and not lasting long.  So what are the differences? Can body contouring smooth out the rippling and cavities left on my legs? Aren't they all the same procedure more or less?

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

Liposuction = removal of fat.
Fat grafting = adding of fat.
Body contouring usually means any method utilized to change one's shape and may involve the above as well as dermolipectomy (skin/fat excision), flap rotation,  or musculofascial plication
The irregularities left by liposuction can be difficult to treat. Occasionally they will resolve with time and massage. Occasionally, they may require a combination of more liposuction with fat grafting. Occasionally they will be permanent

Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD, FACS · Answer

Fat grafting is great for treating rippling, either from previous surgeries or previous liposuction. The fat may dissolve over time, but about 30% usually remains. You may need several sessions of fat grafting several months apart to get the results that you desire.

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

All procedures to reshape the body fall into the category of body contouring, so this includes liposuction, fat transfer, and tummy tucks. Another term you may see is "liposculpture" which basically means the same thing. Fat transfer is a nice way to disguise rippling caused by breast implants where there is little tissue to cover the implants. The fat should hold up very well and may even be permanent. In your case it sounds like there are problems with the 'donor" site which paradoxically may require fat to be transferred back there, assuming there is some other area to take it from. These can be challenging cases so you would do well to consult a plastic surgeon with a lot of experience doing body contouring.

Garrett Jones, DO · Answer

Fat grafting, liposuction, and body contouring are three different cosmetic procedures that address body fat and shape in distinct ways: Liposuction: a.) Liposuction is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of excess fat from specific areas of the body using a suction device.b.) It is primarily focused on fat reduction and sculpting by targeting localized fat deposits.c.) Liposuction is not intended for fat transfer or redistribution but is rather a method to eliminate excess fat.Fat Grafting (Fat Transfer):a.) Fat grafting, also know as fat transfer, involves the removal of fat from one area of the body through liposuction and its subsequent transfer to another area that may lack of volume or require enhancement.b.) The primary goal of fat grafting is to augment or restore volume in areas like the breasts, buttocks, or face.c.) It is both a fat removal and fat injection procedure, making it different from liposuction alone.Body Contouring: a.) Body contouring encompasses a range of surgical and non-surgical procedures aimed at improving the overall shape and appearance of the body.b.) This may involve a combination of liposuction, fat grafting, tummy tucks, or other treatments to achieve a more harmonious and sculpted body profile.c.) Body contouring is a more comprehensive approach to reshaping the body, often addressing skin laxity and muscle tone in addition to fat removal and redistribution.In summary, liposuction primarily removes fat, fat grafting transfers fat from one area to another, and body contouring is a broader concept that can include multiple procedures to improve body shape and appearance. The choice of procedure depends on individual goals and specific areas of concern. It’s essential to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to determine the most suitable approach for your needs.

Christopher L. Hess, MD · Answer

Thank you for asking this question.  It is true that many terms have been adopted by surgeons in an attempt to distinguish themselves from others.  So here are the facts.
Fat grafting involves removal of fat from one area via liposuction technique, washing the aspirated fat, filtering it and reinjecting the fat into other areas.  With micro fat grafting (using cannulas a small as 1.2-1.4mm) there is a much better take rate or less absorption of the fat.  It's good for the face but would take a significant amount of time to get enough fat to be performed elsewhere.  Often surgeons use cannulas for the liposuction that are too big, leaving contour irregularity and a product that is too big to inject and have survive.
Liposuction, done traditionally, involves the infiltration of a tumescent solution followed by removal of the fat in a criss-cross fashion.  The smaller the cannulas used the better the result.
Body contouring is simply the over all category for corrections to the body such as with liposuction, tummy tuck, fat grafting, arm lift etc.

Differences Between Fat Grafting, Liposuction and Body Contouring?

Answers (8)