Fat transfer to treat lipoatrophy on thighs - how much fat should be suctioned total? (Photo)

Question

I am about to have a 2nd fat transfer to treat lipoatrophy on thighs after multiple intramuscular injections with antibiotics in my childhood. MRI scan confirmed adipose tissue is not present at the sites. An year earlier we did HA filler but I reacted to it and we had to disolve it. First graft was middle of july. He released the scar tissue and grafted 30cc per side to create soil for the next graft.Dr said he needs another 100cc per side, prp enhanced.how much fat should be suctioned total.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Courageous629132,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

I always take a little more fat than I think I need just in case. You can ask your surgeon this question.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Is the area of concern the front of your thigh halfway between your groin and your knee? That does not look like it’s related to childhood injections. it’s also a highly unusual area to give systemic medication injections which are almost always given in the gluteal region or deltoid.
It’s an overall large area of fat atrophy and reactions to single injections should create small intense areas of mostly scarred tissue and not atrophy.
Antibiotics should not cause atrophy especially if injected intramuscularly.
There’s no set number of milliliters of that that should be harvested. That is completely dependent on the surgeon based on how aggressive and how much is being grafted. The amount it is appropriate to graft is based on the total volume or thickness of the area being treated. The tissue defat is injected into during grafting is referred to as host tissue. The graft volume should match the host tissue volume. in other words if the total volume of the area someone is trying to augment it’s 200 cc then 200 cc of fat should be injected. an attempt should be to double the volume of subcutaneous fat in the area being treated.
That is a pretty good rule of thumb but by simply looking at a picture it would be pretty inaccurate to just come up with a number.
If you think you’ll pick the best doctor and continue working with him or her.
If you think you’ll pick the best doctor and continue working with him or her. if not then start consulting with other providers.
It would be helpful if you could explain why you’re asking the question.
Do you not trust your doctor? Do you think they should graft more? Do you think they should graft less?
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

Fat transfer to treat lipoatrophy on thighs - how much fat should be suctioned total? (Photo)

Answers (3)