Can a fat transfer be done to the head/skull for flat head?

Question

My head is flat at the back and I would like it to be more projected. I understand there are skull implants, but I do not want an implant in my body. Can I just do a fat transfer to the back of the skull? I'm worried because there is not really fat in your head, I'm not sure how it would react to fat in that area. Would fillers such as PMMA be a better option? Any risks? Can I go to any board-certified surgeon?

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear BrittE92,fat can be transferred to your skull to give more projection but it would be hard to predict the final results. Another option are dermal fillers. I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

Noi method of injection, regardless of the material used, is going to work for skull augmentation in any reliable manner. The scalp tissues are very tight and will not be pushed out like many other areas of the body. Fat and fillers are soft materials that do not provide enough push to expand out the tight overlying scalp. While fat can be injected underneath the scalp in some amounts it does not survive well and the scalp 'wins' because it pushes it right back down over time with the fat absorption. Your assumption is correct in that fat does poorly in places where there is not much natural fat but it does really poorly in tissues that are very tight and do not have much fat..

Steven Turkeltaub, MD · Answer

As long as the tissue that fat is being injected in has a good blood supply, fat can be injected and have the potential for some survival. Realize that fat is soft and malleable so it will not have the same firmness/feel as bone. Probably small amounts can be injected to help contour areas but a "large" amount in one area will not withstand the effects of pressure or feel natural. Fillers like PMMA are not really a cost effective solution given what you are trying to accomplish.Steven Turkeltaub, MD

Glenn Vallecillos, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi and thanks for the question.  Fat transfer can successfully be done to the head. The more common areas we transfer fat to would be in the temple region, and areas that lose fat as one ages.  It is possible to transfer fat to the occipital region or the " back of the head ".  Because of the nature of the anatomy of the skull, this area is not amenable to large volume transfers as compared to say, the buttocks or breasts. Additionally, the skin in the skull is not very distensible, so fat transfer to this region  has its limitations, but is, nonetheless possible.
Best of luck,
Glenn Vallecillos, MD, FACS, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Can a fat transfer be done to the head/skull for flat head?

Answers (4)