Lipofilling or lipostructure

Lipofilling (also known as liposculpture or fat transfer) involves taking fat from one area of your body and reinjecting it into another area. A common example we see is taking fat from the stomach using liposuction and then reinjecting it into the buttocks. Lipofilling is based on the principle of a genuine autograft, using your own adipose tissue to reshape, fill or augment certain parts of the body (buttocks, hip dips, breasts, face).

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The lipofilling technique

The process begins with liposuction, which involves suctioning fat using a specialized cannula. The incisions made for liposuction are approximately 3 to 4 millimeters long. These incisions are strategically placed in inconspicuous areas such as natural skin folds or areas covered by clothing. This step is very important, as the quality and size of the fat particles depend on the targeted area.

For the buttocks

Larger fat lobules are needed to achieve a marked volume effect. We use the same technique we learned from Dr. Aslani in Marbella, known as EVL (Expansion Vibration Liposuction). This technique has the advantage of allowing more fat to be injected into the buttocks with a much lower resorption rate.

For dark circles

Fine, homogeneous fat is preferred to avoid irregularities in the dark circles. The fat is therefore harvested using a small liposuction cannula to ensure a fine quality of fat.

Indications for lipofilling

– Buttocks: Buttock augmentation by lipofilling (BBL – Brazilian Butt Lift)

– Hip dips: Augmentation of hip dips (the hollow between the hips and the saddle bags) by lipofilling

– Breasts: Breast augmentation by breast lipofilling alone or with implants (composite breast augmentation)

– Face: Facial lipofilling (for us, the best indications are dark circles and cheekbones, but avoid nasolabial folds or marionette lines, where hyaluronic acid injections are more effective)

– Irregularities on previous liposuction areas corrected by lipofilling (approximately 10% of our clients come to us to fill in liposuction holes made elsewhere)

– Calves: Calf augmentation by lipofilling

The advantages of lipofilling

Below are the benefits of this procedure

– Natural results: Lipofilling can add volume to areas such as the breasts or buttocks. With current techniques, large volumes can be injected, often eliminating the need for implants in the buttocks. The feel is much more natural than with implants.

– No foreign bodies: Fat is not an implant, so the feel and appearance remain very natural. Unlike implants, lipofilling uses the patient’s own fat, eliminating any risk of capsular contracture or significant scarring.

– Complications: Complications are very rare with lipofilling. Rare cases of infection or cysts.

– Scars: small scars measuring 3 to 4 mm, which fade after a few months and therefore remain barely visible in the long term.

– Tissue quality: lipofilling often improves the appearance and texture of the skin.

– Other procedures: Lipofilling is often combined with other procedures such as breast augmentation or buttock augmentation with implants, lower blepharoplasty, and facelifts to harmonize the body or face.

– Versatility: This procedure is ideal for areas as varied as the buttocks, breasts, calves, or face (cheekbones, temples, nasolabial folds). It allows for volume augmentation in areas that are difficult to access with other techniques, such as the upper pole of the breast or hip dips. When it comes to the face, we particularly like to inject fat into the dark circles or cheekbones. For ideal results on nasolabial folds or marionette lines, we continue to prefer injections using hyaluronic acid.

Photographie professionnelle du docteur Yann Favre fondateur de la clinique Bellefontaine | Dr Favre Lausanne

Dr. Yann Favre + 3,000 liposuctions and lipofillings performed

Consultation with a qualified FMH & EBOPRAS plastic surgeon

Member of the Swiss Society for Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery

Over 15 years of experience in plastic and aesthetic surgery

15 to 20 liposuctions per month

Expertise in HD liposuction, buttock lipofilling, and breast lipofilling

Individualized planning for results

Post-operative medication and Panthy Marena © included

A professional and caring team for your follow-up care

Dr. Yann Favre
Founder of the Bellefontaine Clinic
FMH & EBOPRAS Specialist in Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery

Limitations and contraindications

Despite its many advantages, lipofilling has its limitations

– Amount of fat available: Patients with little fat reserves may not be eligible.

– Fat uptake: The survival of the injected cells varies depending on the area: in our experience, fat uptake is often much better in the thighs or buttocks than in the breasts. Fat uptake generally ranges from 60 to 80% in the buttocks and 20 to 60% in the breasts. It is important to note that a second lipofilling procedure often results in much higher fat take rates, both in the breasts and buttocks. Furthermore, in areas where the skin is very tight (e.g., small A cup breasts), fat take is often low.

– Breast cancer: Breast lipofilling is not recommended for people with a close family history of breast cancer.

– Smoking and poor blood circulation: Smoking reduces the uptake of grafted fat cells.

– Volume: If the patient wants a significant increase in volume, several lipofilling sessions may be necessary. In this case, sufficient fat reserves must be available.

– Complications: Infection and cysts are extremely rare. Fat embolism: this complication can occur mainly after buttock lipofilling. To avoid this complication, we perform Safe BBL with ultrasound. We are the only clinic in Switzerland to offer this.

Contact us

Do you have any questions or would you like to make an appointment at the Bellefontaine Clinic? You can send us your request using our contact form or call us at +41 21 601 33 33. We look forward to seeing you!

FAQ

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