Fat Grafting and Fat Injection:
The ultimate dream and challenge for medical science is to find a way to reverse the effects of body deterioration all the way to the cellular and molecular level. This deterioration can be due to a disease process or simple sequelae of the aging process and affects all the body systems. Skin is subjected to such wear and tear with deterioration on daily basis and for prolonged periods of time. Extrinsic factors like sun exposure, gravity, smoking, stress, nutritional imbalance and dehydration all expedite this process of deterioration. The search for a method of reversing this cellular deterioration has led to the identification of STEM CELLS. Stem cells by definition are those neutral reserve cells in the body that, when needed are called upon to be converted into specialized cells, for performing specialized tasks. These Stem cells given proper environment can develop into any line of cells. They specially have healing and regenerative characteristics. This has led to opening a new era of medical science because these Stem cells can potentially reverse the deterioration in another cellular system of the body.
Human fat has been found to have these Stem cells in abundant numbers. Blood also has a considerable supply of these unique cells. The fat harvested from one s own body is used in following ways:
Lipofilling, Micro and Nano Fat Grafting:
Human fat has a rich reserve of STEM CELLs. Fat is harvested from one body by liposuction technique by variable size cannula, depending on the need. The fat is then treated for Stem cells and injected at required areas. In addition to Stem cells the fat is also used an autologous filler for various soft tissue volume needs. The advantages of this technique are multi fold some of which include:
– Own tissue being used as filler material so no risk of adverse reaction or allergy.
– Fat is readily available in bulk in the body.
Facial Filler for Static Wrinkles:
Synthetic Filler Injections are the 1st option for static wrinkles for face, but they last for only 6 months, so a re-filling is required. A more permanent solution can be injection of MICRO FAT Graft, that is body’s own tissue and setttles well for longer periods. The added advantage being the rejuvinating characteristics of autologous fat.
Acne Scar:
Acne and post acne scarring can be most tormenting feature in any individual. The more severe the acne the more severe is the scarring that it leaves behind. These scars can be deep and irregular streaks or pits. This scarring is probably the most difficult problem to address. INjection of Micr and Nano Fat under such scarred skin has double beneficial effects.. First, it decreases the contour abnormality. Second, the STEM CELLs in fat help in healing the scars, making them less conspicuos and re-vitalising the over all skin quality.
Older Skin Grafts and Radiation Skin Damage:
OlderSkin grafts from burns and trauma have a tendency to darken and become hard and contracted, no matter what amount of scar therapy is carried out. Similarly, the irradiated skin has a tendency to become atrophied, pigmented and scarred.
In such cases, the role of of STEM CELLs from fat have a profoundly remarkable role. The Stem cells help improving the blood supply of the gramakings a result making scarred skin better and aesthetically more acceptable.
Soft Tissue Loss by Disease Process:
Some diseases like Romberg’s and Morphia cause a localised loss of soft tissue, mainly fat, from various areas of body including face. Also in aging and with massive weight loss, the face may become too thin and skeletonised giving an old and unwell look.
In all such cases fat is the best replacement in areas where volume of fat is needed. Fat is the most abundant and readily available Filler material.
Breast and Buttock Augmentation:
Volume to the breasts nod buttocks can be added both by Implants as well as by autologous tissue in the form of fat. Fat can also be used for breast augmention in cases of breast surgery for cancer and infection where large and sometime whole of the volume is lost. In such cases fat grafting in single stage or in serial stages can provide large volumes of own tissue for reconstruction with minimum donor site morbidity. Fat grafting is also done in conjunction with breast implants to add volume and to prevent capsular contraction.
In Buttocks Fat grafting be done to add volume and shape to have a body contouring better sizing of modern clothes.
Osteoarthritis of Joints:
In old age due to repeated wear and tear, and some times after a trauma knees and other joints develop osteoarthritis. These joints develop a chronic painful condition and become stiff. Bones and cartilages in joints undergo degeneration with inflammatory changes in adjacent soft tissues.In this condition the STEM CELLs derived from fat are especially helpful in symptomatic relief as well as radiographic evidence of healing.