Is There a Difference Between Fat Transfer & Fat Graft? Candidate For Area Around Mouth?

In many cases, fat grafting in conjunction to scar release (subcision) or scar revision (excision and re-closure) will improve the overall outcome of the scar. The fat will help prevent the skin from scarring back down following subcision.  In this case it forms a barrier.  Fillers will do the same thing.  The long-term benefit of fat transfer is that the stem cells that are transferred will potentially improve the look and feel of the scar.  This is that to be a result of the rejuvenative potential of the stem cells.  In your case, it is difficult to point you in the right direction without the benefit of photographs or an examination.  Given your financial constraints and your history, I would recommend taking your time to make sure you get the right treatment at this point. 

Good luck,  

Dr. Karam

Fat Transfer and Fat Grafting are terms that are frequently used interchangeably to refer to the technique of injecting fat cells that have been harvested by liposuction from one area of the body and transferred to another area.

Technically Fat Grafting refers to a surgical procedure in which a whole piece of fat is harvested from one area and surgically placed into another area through an open incision.

Theoretically the take or survival of a fat graft should be better than injected fat because the Liposuction Harvest and Needle injection kills many fat cells during the procedure.

However fat grafting involves an incision which can create scarring in visible areas.

Modern fat harvesting methods such as AdIvive are available to increase the number of surviving cells during harvest.

In your situation if there is significant scar contraction and adherence then release of the scarring and placement of a fat graft is likely going to be more effective than injection or Fat Transfer as the scar may prevent the injected fat from entering the depression

I recommend you see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon at a university, as this may be most cost effective, and have an evaluation and recommendations. Thank you for your question and good luck with everything.