Lipofilling tips and tricks

The lipofilling is performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on the quantities of fat required and the patient’s clinical conditions. The selected donor siteis chosen according to the morphology and the wish of the patient. Usually the suction is performed on the abdomen or on the thigh. But in thin patients the suction can be extended to other areas such as the buttock. The suction area is infiltrated with Klein’s solution, which consists of 1 cc of epinephrine diluted in 500 cc of0.001% lactated Ringer’s solution; 50 cc of mepivacaine is added to the solution if the surgeon is operating using local anesthesia. For harvesting, we use a Coleman blunttip cannula attached to a 10-cc Luer-Lok syringe or to a controlled pressure vacuum machine. A combination of slight negative pressure and the curetting action of the cannula through the tissues allows the fat harvesting. Then, we centrifuge the fat at 3000 rpm for 3 minutes until the serum and oily components are separated from the adipose tissue. The cellular component is transferred immediately to a 1-cc or 3 cc Luer-Lok syringe and prepared for injection. The fat is injected smoothly avoiding big amount on the same place to maintain a wide connection between the fat injected and the local vessels. Too much fat on the same place will necrosed progressively. Smooth pressure will be applied by the medication on the suction area which will be removed after 5 to 6 days. Light medication without pressure will be applied on the injected area.