Is It Time to Ditch Fillers and Consider a Facelift?
One of the most significant developments in the field of aesthetic procedures during my career is…Read On
TLKM Plastic Surgery
737 North Michigan Avenue #1500
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 788-2560
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Tuesday: 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
With decades of experience in fat transfer and stem cell research, Dr. Mustoe is widely considered an expert in this innovative body contouring approach. He has lectured internationally on facial rejuvenation with fat transfer, and his expertise has been featured in national publications such as More magazine.
By utilizing precise, innovative techniques, Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno optimize fat retention, ensuring long-lasting, natural-looking results while minimizing the need for revision procedures.
Before & After
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Fat Grafting by Dr. Mustoe Before & After Photos
Before & After
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Fat Grafting by Dr. Mustoe Before & After Photos
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Fat Grafting by Dr. Mustoe Before & After Photos
Before & After
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Fat Grafting by Dr. Mustoe Before & After Photos
Before & After
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Fat Grafting by Dr. Mustoe Before & After Photos
At the vibrant age of 71, this patient elected to undergo several procedures with Dr. Thomas Mustoe to preserve her natural beauty and active lifestyle, without an overly tight or pulled appearance. Her personalized facial rejuvenation included a deep plane facelift/minilift, neck lift, upper blepharoplasty, brow lift, and fat grafting around... Read More
Before & After
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Fat Grafting by Dr. Mustoe Before & After Photos
The 55-year-old female patient pictured above was driven by considerable changes of aging, particularly evident in the areas around the jowls and cheeks, thin lips, the early appearance of vertical lines around the mouth, and changes in her neck. This active runner and yoga enthusiast sought out the exceptional Facelift/Minilift by Dr. Mustoe... Read More
Before & After
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Fat Grafting by Dr. Mustoe Before & After Photos
Before & After
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Fat Grafting by Dr. Mustoe Before & After Photos
At age 62, this patient sought to make her outward appearance better reflect her active and vibrant lifestyle. After having her primary facelift over a decade ago, she decided to pursue another procedure, opting for a secondary deep plane facelift, along with perioral fat grafting and ablative laser with spot dermabrasion around her mouth. Sh... Read More
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
What Is Fat Transfer?
Fat transfer, also called microlipoinjection, autologous fat transplantation, or fat grafting, is a natural way to restore volume and enhance facial or body contours. Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno use liposuction to gently collect unwanted fat from areas like the abdomen or thighs. The purified fat is then carefully injected into targeted areas to add volume and improve definition.
When performed successfully, the transferred fat reestablishes a blood supply and integrates into the treated areas indefinitely. In most cases, only one treatment is necessary. However, an additional treatment may be recommended after 6 months for optimal results.
What Areas Are Treated With Fat Transfer?
Our surgeons use fat transfer to enhance the results of the following cosmetic surgery procedures:
- Facelift and mini facelift surgeries to restore volume lost during the natural aging process
- Eyelid surgery to fill in under-eye hollows.
- Breast augmentation to enhance cleavage and conceal the upper edge of breast implants in thin patients
- Breast lift surgery to fill out the upper portion of the breasts (called the superior pole)
For patients seeking dramatic changes to the breast and buttocks, we typically recommend a butt lift or breast implants to achieve your desired results.
Facial Fat Transfer Benefits
Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno use fat transfer to provide subtle, long-lasting enhancements to cosmetic surgery procedures and as a stand-alone procedure in place of synthetic dermal fillers. They prefer this method to dermal fillers because fat is softer and smoother, and when injected properly, this approach provides longer-lasting results. They perform fat transfer as an in-office procedure to provide a variety of improvements, including:
- Restoring lost volume to under-eye hollows, cheeks, and other areas of the face
- Filling wrinkles and folds
- Augmenting the lips
- Softening the appearance of scars
- Reshaping the nose (non surgical rhinoplasty)
This facial rejuvenation technique results in minimal swelling but may involve minor bruising that lasts several days.
Step by Step: How Is Fat Transfer Performed?
Our experienced surgeons use advanced techniques and a meticulous, multi-step approach to maximize cell survival and ensure long-lasting results:
Step 1: Harvesting Fat from Donor Areas
The procedure begins with applying a local anesthetic to numb the areas where fat will be collected—commonly the abdomen, thighs, or buttocks. Fat may be harvested from multiple areas in leaner patients to avoid creating visible irregularities.
Step 2: Gentle Liposuction for Fat Collection
Once the donor areas are numb, Dr. Mustoe or Dr. Sinno uses a thin metal tube called a microcannula to carefully suction out fat via liposuction. The technique is designed to preserve as many healthy fat cells as possible, increasing their chances of survival after transfer.
Step 3: Purifying the Fat
To ensure optimal results, a decanting technique separates fat from excess fluids, followed by a specialized absorbent material to remove any remaining liquid and damaged fat cells. This process helps maximize the number of viable fat cells for reinjection.
Step 4: Precise Fat Injection for Natural-Looking Results
Once purified, the fat is carefully injected into the targeted areas to restore volume and enhance contours. Rather than injecting large amounts of fat at once, we place thin, evenly distributed “threads” of fat, which improves fat cell survival and creates smoother, balanced, more natural-looking results.
Your Fat Transfer Recovery & Results
Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno are leaders in the field of fat transfer, as well as wound healing and various techniques that minimize trauma to tissues. This experience means that their patients typically make a quick recovery. Most return to light activity within just a few days.
What To Expect During Recovery
One of the most significant advantages of fat transfer is that it requires only a very fine needle for injections, eliminating the need for major incisions. Any swelling or bruising at the injection sites typically subsides within a few days.
For patients undergoing fat transfer combined with cosmetic surgery, recovery time is not prolonged. Only tiny incisions are made at the liposuction donor sites, which heal quickly. Minor swelling resolves within 1 to 2 weeks.
How Much Does Fat Transfer Cost in Chicago, IL?
In Chicago, fat transfer cost varies based on the areas being treated. Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno provide a customized treatment plan and share detailed pricing so you know exactly what to expect as you prepare and budget for your procedure. You can also take advantage of our flexible payment and financing options.
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Chicago's
Premier Plastic Surgeons
Dr. Thomas Mustoe and Dr. Sammy Sinno are board-certified plastic surgeons renowned in Chicago and beyond for their unparalleled expertise, refined surgical techniques, and exceptional patient outcomes. Together, they set the gold standard in plastic surgery treatment and care, delivering:
- Safe, best-in-class protocols
- Minimal scarring and bruising
- Customized, natural-looking results
- Faster, more comfortable recovery
- Use of local anesthesia with sedation
- State-of-the-art Facility
Fat Transfer FAQ
Are there risks associated with fat transfer?
While fat grafting is considered a relatively low-risk procedure, there are risks associated with any surgical procedure. While unlikely, fat transfer complications such as hematoma (blood pooling), fat embolism, or scarring may occur. That’s why placing your trust in reputable, board-certified plastic surgeons is essential to your safety and results.
How long do fat transfer results last?
The results of fat transfer to the face or body are remarkably long-lasting. Unlike temporary fillers, successfully transferred fat establishes a blood supply, allowing it to integrate naturally into the treated areas. Thanks to Dr. Mustoe’s and Dr. Sinno’s advanced techniques, the smoother, firmer contours created by fat transfer typically last many years.
Can gaining or losing weight affect my fat transfer results?
Yes. Since fat transfer uses your own living fat cells, they will respond to future weight changes just like fat in any other part of your body. Significant weight gain can cause the transferred fat to expand, possibly affecting the proportions and aesthetic balance. Conversely, weight loss can lead to a loss of volume in the treated area. That’s why it’s best to undergo the procedure when you’re at or near your goal weight and committed to maintaining it long-term.
Schedule Your Fat Transfer Consultation
To find out how fat transfer can enhance your look, request a consultation with Dr. Mustoe or Dr. Sinno online. Or you can call us at (312) 788-2560 and one of our helpful staff members will schedule your appointment.
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