Fat grafting (or fat transfer, same thing) is a procedure where fat is removed from one part of the body, purified, and injected into another part of the body to plump it up. It’s most commonly performed in the face, breasts, buttocks, and hands. Fat grafting to the hands is a great way to restore lost volume, especially if your hands are showing its tendons, blood vessels, and bones with age.
Fat is usually removed from your thighs, hips, or abdomen and purified using one of several methods. This purified fat is then injected via tiny incisions into its new location. Not all of the fat stays, but what does stay sticks around long term – five to ten years or longer.
The percentage of fat that stays is dependent on many factors. Here are two:
- Technique – poor harvesting techniques or injection techniques can impact how much fat stays.
- You – Your body’s inherent metabolism can help determine how much fat it allows to stick around.
Another easier, but less permanent, option is to inject filler such as Restylane Lyft into the hands. It’s FDA-approved for that purpose and doesn’t involve actual surgery.
