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Fat Transfer for Men

“Fat transfer is becoming a more common procedure, particularly with men.  It is extremely important to be seen by a board certified plastic surgeon who knows the subtle intricacies of fat placement.  Safety is a very important component of my practice and this is likewise very important with fat transfer. Meticulous attention to detail is paramount when performing fat transfer to improve longterm success with the procedure.” – Dr. Ravi Somayazula

Although most people strive to lose fat, sometimes a lack of fat or fullness is not necessarily a good thing.  As men age, certain parts of their body appear less contoured, aged, or deflated. A personalized fat transfer can help certain areas of the body with this issue by using your body’s own excess fat (possibly from your abdomen or thighs) to enhance areas that have suffered from a loss of volume—such as the face, pecs, or calves. Houston board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ravi Somayazula recommends fat transfer for men wanting to enhance specific areas of their face or body. This advanced technique, that not all plastic surgeons are experienced with, can bring back a more youthful face, sculpt a more etched abdomen, and showcase masculine calf muscles.

Fat Transfer Can Correct:

  • Facial lines, wrinkles, or a lack of fullness
  • Hollow cheeks
  • Thinning lips
  • Small calves
  • Flat or weak-appearance of the chest muscles
  • Lack of definition of the abdomen
  • Flat buttocks
  • Aging hands

At the Consultation

Dr. Ravi Somayazula and your patient care coordinator will spend ample time during the initial consultation discussing the various options and techniques tailored to each individual patient. While keeping your expectations in mind, your goals for your fat transfer will be discussed. Dr. Ravi Somayazula will explain the different options for using fat transfer to enhance specific areas of your face and body, such as the cheeks, pectorals, calves, buttocks, or abdomen.

A thorough examination will be performed to evaluate your current areas of fat that could be used to donate. It is important that there be enough excess fat to use for your transfer—certain areas of the body will require more donor fat than others (for example, enhancing the chest will likely require more donor fat than the cheeks).

Dr. Ravi Somayazula has a great bedside manner and encourages that you become thoroughly informed during the consultation in order to make a welli-informed decision. Please be sure to set aside an hour to an hour and a half for your appointment.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

Healthy non-smoking individuals who have realistic expectations for their fat transfer surgery are great candidates for a fat transfer procedure. An ideal candidate does not have any other medical conditions that might prevent healing or pose a surgical risk. A good candidate maintains a healthy diet and exercise routine, but also has fat elsewhere on their body that can be used for the transfer procedure.

Some men choose to undergo a full liposuction procedure in combination with a fat transfer. This way, Dr. Ravi Somayazula is able to contour certain areas of the body in conjunction with improving other areas by increasing volume with fat transfer.

Preoperative Evaluation

All patients are seen approximately two weeks prior to surgery for their pre-operative appointment. During that visit, all surgical consents are signed, photos are taken, and a detailed informational packet is provided with specific instructions for before and after surgery. A complete list of “dos and don’ts” is also reviewed. Patients receive prescriptions for an antibiotic, as well as pain and anti-nausea medications. Be prepared to follow all recommended pre-surgery and post-surgery instructions closely to ensure your best possible results.

Dr. Ravi recommends stopping use of aspirin and all other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as Ibuprofen) for at least one week before and after surgery to prevent excessive bruising. Herbs and supplements should also be stopped for at least one week prior to surgery as this can interrupt healing.  It is recommened that all patients stop smoking for at least four weeks before surgery and four weeks after surgery to minimize healing complications.

The Surgery

Local anesthesia will be administered to the area from which Dr. Ravi Somayazula will extract the donor fat cells. For most of his male patients, fat is often taken from the chest, back, abdomen, or thighs. To harvest fat cells for a fat transfer, a small incision is made in order to place a microcannula (small tube for liposuction) or a syringe through the skin to remove the fat cells. Once the fat cells are removed, they will be purified before transfer. Dr. Ravi Somayazula will then carefully inject the fat cells into the desired area, giving you the appearance of a youthful and natural fullness.

Dr. Ravi Somayazula can perform a personalized fat transfer procedure to help men enhance common problem areas, including the face, lips, chest, buttocks, or calves. By injecting donor fat cells in these locations, he can help restore a natural fullness for a stronger and more youthful appearance.

In addition, Dr. Ravi Somayazula performs a specialized fat transfer procedure to help men in the Houston area finally achieve the much sought after six pack abs. Known as abdominal (ab) etching, Dr. Ravi Somayazula will first perform liposuction to flatten the abdomen, and then carefully place fat back into specific areas to enhance the contours of the underlying abdominal muscles.

Risks and Side Effects of the Fat Transfer Surgery

Like any other type of cosmetic surgery, a fat transfer procedure still comes with certain risks and side effects that patients should be aware of. Following your procedure, common side effects of the fat transfer surgery include the following:

  • Swelling
  • Tenderness
  • Soreness
  • Aching
  • Pain to the touch or where pressure is applied
  • Pain during movement
  • Redness

By following correct aftercare guidelines and treating your body with care, these common side effects should disappear within a few days. Most patients can return pain-free to their normal routines within one to two weeks.

Risks of fat transfer surgery may include the following:

  • Bleeding
  • Fat embolism
  • Fluid leakage from incisions
  • Scarring
  • Chronic dizziness
  • Redness or heat at the incision site
  • Swelling that hasn’t disappeared
  • Sharp pain
  • Fever

Under the care of Dr. Ravi Somayazula, your comfort, and safety will be a top priority during your procedure. With his guidance and expertise, patients are able to easily manage their side effects and avoid severe complications during their recovery period.

Recovery

You may experience some bruising or swelling on either or both the donor and transfer site. Many men return to work about one to two weeks after their procedure. Of course, this will vary based on where and how much donor fat was taken, as well as where it was reinjected.

Once you are fully healed and the swelling has gone down, you will notice the results of your procedure. With a facial fat transfer or lip enhancement, men can expect a fuller facial appearance and possibly even a subtle lift. A fat transfer performed to enhance the chest, buttocks, or calves will help achieve a naturally strong and healthy appearance. Those who choose ab etching with Dr. Ravi Somayazula often can’t wait to show off their newly chiseled mid-section at the pool while soaking up the hot Houston sun.

Men who undergo a personalized fat transfer procedure with Dr. Ravi Somayazula in Houston often experience a boost in self-confidence and are more comfortable in social settings.

While the internet can provide you with some basic information and a general overview of fat transfer surgery, a personal consulation with board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ravi Somayazula can answer all of your questions in depth. 

Post-Surgery Aftercare

After your procedure, it’s important to understand that aftercare during your recovery period can play a huge role in how your remaining fat cells survive and how your body will adjust to your fat transfer. Avoiding smoking, exercise, driving, sitting for prolonged periods of time, and high-intensity exercises can help increase your chances of the remaining fat cells surviving in your body. Implementing a balanced diet and ensuring you eat enough calories can also be beneficial. Wear your compression garment as recommended by Dr. Somayazula to avoid complications or altered results.

Long-Lasting Results

After a full six months, most patients have recovered completely from their procedure, and the remaining fat cells have been completely adjusted to the body. At this point, the result you will see is meant to be permanent and will last a lifetime. However, it’s important to remember that your appearance may alter or change slightly as the years progress and the body naturally ages. Some patients may be interested in additional treatments to achieve their desired look. It’s also important to avoid gaining or losing a significant amount of weight to avoid changing the look of your results.

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

Dr. Ravi Somayazula is here to guide you through all steps of an informed decision-making process and will map out a treatment plan that fits your needs. We invite you to call us at 281.242.1061 to schedule a consultation today or click here for more information about your candidacy for fat transfer treatment. The team at Body by Ravi is happy to serve patients in the greater Houston, TX, area. However, we also happily provide virtual consultations for anyone out of town or willing to travel for treatment. Contact us today!


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Body By Ravi Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics

Dr. Ravi Somayazula and Dr. Swapna Gopathi, are Board-Certified Physicians, while using a patient-centered approach and spend as much time as needed to make each patient feel special and respected—not just another person walking through the door. As a team, a one-of-a-kind treatment plan is created to address concerns from head to toe with the latest surgical and non-surgical techniques, including: Breast Augmentation (Implants), Tummy Tucks, Liposuction, Mommy Makeovers, miraDry®, Botox®, Dermal Fillers, and AVÉLI ® Cellulite treatment. Working side-by-side, Dr. Ravi and Dr. Gopathi strive to create a long-lasting relationship with each patient, meeting any new aesthetic needs as they arise. Together, the staff at Body by Ravi Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics take each patient step-by-step through their cosmetic journey to achieve the desired aesthetic results.

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