Tissue donation for fat grafting?

Perhaps in an ideal world, we could move fat around, taking a little from the belly and boosting the breasts or thinning the thighs while sculpting the perfect backside. Fat grafting isn't science fiction. Plastic surgeons regularly use the technique to move fat from one location on a person's body to enhance another area.

The result can be a plumper and more youthful look. However, there are limitations to fat transfers, also called fat grafting. The most obvious restrictions are what happens when you don't have enough fat to achieve the look you want.

Is tissue donation viable for individuals looking to pump up their look? It's time to chew the fat and talk about innovations in fat donation, what's available and what's on the horizon.

Is tissue donation for fat grafting a viable option today?

Fat grafting in plastic surgery has been around for some time.

"In general, fat grafting has been used for years for plastic surgery, with a recent increase in the past five to 10 years for breast surgery," said Roy Kim, MD. "It is used both in breast reconstruction and aesthetic breast procedures. Most patients have enough fat on their own body, so potential donor sites are pretty easy – just do liposuction on the patient, process and filter the fat in the operating room and then fat graft the patient's own fat back to the patient. No worries about donor compatibility or tissue rejection."

The problem arises when a patient does not have the needed fat to achieve their aesthetic goals. Physicians can transfer organs between people through organ donation. Before dying, some individuals elect to donate their internal organs, giving other people suffering from life-threatening diseases and injuries a new lease on life.

Yet, these life-saving surgeries can carry enormous risks, especially organ rejection. Organ rejection occurs when an organ recipient's immune system attacks the donated organ, assuming it's a foreign invader. Does tissue donation for plastic surgery or aesthetic purposes carry the same risk?

Tissue donation and fat grafting options

One company recently acquired several aesthetic companies to broaden its aesthetic portfolio of services.

"There has already been a soft launch of a cadaver fat product in the United States called 'Alloclae' by Tiger Aesthetics," said Kristy Hamilton, MD. "It is cadaver fat that has been sterilized and processed so as to ensure the product is clean and from healthy individuals. The products are processed to minimize residual DNA content to limit an immunogenic response. The product maintains the natural structure of adipocytes (fat cells) as well as their surrounding support structures (extracellular matrix), including growth factors, proteins and collagen."

All this means is the product comes from donated fat that has been treated to minimize the chances of rejection. Plastic surgeons can use the product like a person's own fat, restoring volume and contouring specific body areas without resorting to liposuction.

"Technically, there is a risk of being exposed to some untreated infection, but with modern cleansing techniques, this would be highly unlikely," said Dr. Kim. "I have not heard of a single case in over 15 years. In fact, I have not heard of a case in my entire surgical career."

With the risks of rejection and infection at a minimum, innovative fat products like Alloclae give patients more volumizing and sculpting options than they've ever had.

"Alloclae has finally been shipped out to select plastic surgeons in the past week or so," said Dr. Kim, noting that Alloclae is a product better utilized for body concerns rather than facial plumping, and Tiger Aesthetics says the product is packaged in 12.5cc and 25cc configurations. That's approximately 2.5 teaspoons to 5 teaspoons.

This new product could revolutionize body contouring procedures for patients with insufficient fat to harvest.

"It is better positioned for body contouring procedures – adding fat to cleavage lines, hip dips or the upper buttock for a 'mini BBL' result," said Dr. Hamilton. "This is a fantastic option also for those who do not have any fat to donate – this may encompass categories of people who are highly fit with low body fat percentages, those who have lost tremendous weight on GLP-1s or even those who have already had a significant amount of liposuction with no ideal donor sites."

She noted that it is an excellent option for patients who want an in-office procedure with minimal to no downtime, since no liposuction or invasive procedures are required to harvest a patient's fat.

"It's been very well tolerated by patients thus far and appears to have a very minimal risk profile, similar to autologous fat transfer," said Dr. Hamilton

Other products hitting the market may also offer patients additional options for fat transfer when they don't have fat stores to spare.

"Renuva is from MTF Biologics and comes in 3cc syringes (about half a teaspoon)," said Dr. Kim. "This product is very expensive. It has been out for a couple of years and is useful for facial fat grafting in very thin patients. This (3cc) is enough for the face, but not really the body."

Fat and tissue donation are quickly becoming hot plastic surgery topics, and companies are taking note, working on new and innovative products offering minimal risk, less recovery and downtime for a fuller, more buxom look.

To find a qualified plastic surgeon for any cosmetic or reconstructive procedure, consult a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. All ASPS members are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, have completed an accredited plastic surgery training program, practice in accredited facilities and follow strict standards of safety and ethics. Find an ASPS member in your area.