Fat Transfer to Hands
Mr Olivier Amar - Leading Plastic Surgeon in Chelsea, London
Smoother, Fuller Hands with Fat Transfer Surgery
What is Fat Transfer to Hands surgery?
Fat transfer to hands, also known as hand fat grafting or hand rejuvenation surgery, is a minimally invasive procedure designed to restore lost volume and improve the overall appearance of ageing hands. As one of the most revealing signs of ageing, the hands are often overlooked in cosmetic treatments. The hands experience the same loss in fat and collagen as the face, accentuating signs of ageing such as loose or crepey skin.
This procedures involves harvesting fat cells through liposuction from areas like the stomach, flanks or thighs, processing them to extract the most valuable source of stem cells, and carefully injecting the enriched cells into the backs of the hands to restore volume, smooth out wrinkles, and camouflage prominent tendons and veins.
Key Benefits of Fat Transfer to Hands
Natural, long lasting results using your own fat
Since the procedure uses your own harvested fat cells with no chemical or other modifications, the risk of allergic reaction or rejection is minimised. Once the transferred fat has successfully integrated with the surrounding tissue, results typically last significantly longer than those achieved with dermal fillers.
Addresses both volume restoration and skin regeneration
Unlike dermal fillers which address volume loss alone, fat transfer to hands delivers two complementary benefits in a single procedure. The micro fat restores fullness to hollow, skeletal looking hands, whilst the concentrated stem cells within the nano fat graft actively work to regenerate the surrounding tissue, improving both structure and skin quality simultaneously.
Stimulates collagen production
The nano fat component of the graft is rich in adipose derived stem cells and growth factors, which trigger the skin’s natural collagen production process. Over the weeks and months following treatment, patients typically notice a visible improvement in skin tone, texture and elasticity, reducing the appearance of crepey skin, fine lines and age spots for a noticeably more youthful result.
Added benefit of subtle contouring at the fat extraction site
The fat used in hand rejuvenation is harvested via liposuction from an area such as the abdomen, flanks or thighs. This means the procedure offers a secondary benefit, a subtle reduction in fat deposits at the fat extraction site. Whilst not a weight loss treatment, patients often appreciate the improved contour in areas where stubborn, localised fat is common.
Minimal downtime
Fat transfer is a straightforward and minimally invasive procedure. As a result, there is minimal downtime required. Depending on the type of daily activities, you should be able to resume daily activities within 1-2 days and return to gentle exercise after approximately 2 weeks.
No repeated filler top ups required
Unlike dermal fillers, which typically require top up appointments every six to twelve months to maintain results, fat transfer offers a longer lasting alternative that removes the need for ongoing repeat sessions.
Hand rejuvenation surgery can combine two complementary fat grafting techniques - micro and nano fat transfer.
Your consultation
Whether meeting in person or remotely, your consultation with Mr Olivier Amar provides a comprehensive discussion of your hoped for goals and treatment options. To get the most out of your consultation, we recommend reviewing information about your area of interest beforehand.
During your consultation, Mr Olivier Amar will listen to your desired outcomes and goals, conduct a thorough assessment, present appropriate treatment options and explain procedures in detail. This will include a step by step surgical process, required preparation, recovery timeline, scar placement and management, anaesthesia options, and potential risks and complications.
A consultation ensures you receive comprehensive information about all options, and understand both benefits and limitations of proposed procedures. You will have the opportunity to ask as many questions as you wish before you decide the next steps together, including the option to take no action.
Advanced Autologous Fat Transfer
Mr Olivier Amar, a leading expert in fat transfer procedures, brings over two decades of experience in advanced regenerative techniques. Working alongside his father, Dr R. E. Amar – the pioneer of Facial Autologous Muscular Injection (FAMI) – Mr Amar is now at the forefront of research and innovation in this field.
Risks associated with surgery
Every surgical procedure, while performed with the utmost care and expertise, carries inherent risks. Mr Olivier Amar ensures all patients are fully informed about potential complications before proceeding with any treatment.
General surgical risks include post-operative infection, bleeding and haematoma formation, scarring and wound healing complications, and anaesthesia related complications. During your consultation, Mr Olivier Amar will provide detailed information about procedure specific risks, explain preventive measures and safety protocols, answer all questions about potential complications and provide you with all the information needed to make an informed decision.
Preparing for Your Surgery
All surgical procedures are teamwork between the surgeon and the patient. Just as a runner trains for a marathon, preparation is key for optimal recovery.
From the time you book the procedure ensure you maintain regular, gentle exercise, follow a balanced, nutritious diet, ensure adequate sleep and rest, and manage stress levels effectively. Alcohol consumption should be reduced and smoking stopped or minimised. If a patient feels prepared for surgery, they will arrive for their procedure feeling positive which in turn will reduce any anxiety and encourage stress free recovery.
The day before surgery, our dedicated pre-assessment nursing team will reconfirm your admission time, review fasting requirements, address any last minute questions and provide final preparation instructions.
Type of anaesthesia
Fat transfer to hands surgery may be performed under local anaesthetic. More extensive body contouring is performed under total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA), a technique of anaesthesia which uses a combination of agents given exclusively via the intravenous route without the use of gas anaesthesia. This means you will sleep comfortably throughout the procedure and wake immediately afterwards with a significantly reduced likelihood of feeling groggy or nauseous. The anaesthesia will be explained to you by your Anaesthetist during the preoperative consultation.
Having surgery under total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) allows you to go home the same day to rest and recuperate. Alternatively, we are happy to arrange the procedure at a hospital with an overnight stay facility, organise a nurse to stay with you overnight, or assist with local accommodation arrangements. Mr Olivier Amar will discuss your anaesthesia options and aftercare support in detail during your consultation.
Recovery Guide
Fat transfer is a straightforward and minimally invasive procedure. As a result, there is minimal downtime required. Immediately post-surgery you can expect to experience mild pain and discomfort. Bruising and swelling typically resolves within 5-10 days.
Depending on the type of daily activities, you should be able to resume daily activities within 1-2 days and return to gentle exercise after approximately 2 weeks.
Aftercare Information
One week after surgery you will attend a nurse appointment, at this point your incision sites will be reviewed, stitches removed and initial healing will be assessed. A follow up consultation with Mr Olivier Amar will be scheduled for six weeks after your surgery to assess your overall recovery.
It is your responsibility to attend all scheduled appointments. Failing to attend appointments or follow post-operative instructions may impact your results and final outcome. Regular monitoring ensures optimal healing progression and early detection of complications. Mr Olivier Amar will discuss the post-operative schedule in detail during your consultation.
Scar Placement and Management
Any scars in the fat harvesting site are typically minimal and strategically placed in discreet locations like the navel or natural body creases.
As a leading London based cosmetic surgeon, Mr Olivier Amar specialises in advanced scar management and prevention techniques. Leading up to your surgery or as part of your post-surgical care, a scar management protocol may be initiated using steroid injections and silicone dressings. A treatment course of Aerolase Neo laser is recommended post-surgery.
The Aerolase Neo laser treatment offers significant benefits for scar improvement:
- Stimulates natural collagen production
- Reduces scar pigmentation
- Improves skin texture and appearance
- Softens scar tissue
- Promotes tissue remodelling
- Accelerates bruise healing
Maintaining your results
The result of fat transfer to hands surgery can be best appreciated after 3-6 months. A combination of maintaining a steady weight and following post-operative instructions is key to a good result.
Certain lifestyle factors, such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, can increase the risk of complications during and after surgery. The most common impact of smoking before your surgery is that it increases your chances of developing an infection and inhibits your body’s natural healing processes. This is particularly important for fat grafting surgery in which the fat’s viability post-procedure is materially reduced in a smoker population.
Am I suitable for Fat Transfer to Hands surgery?
Hand rejuvenation surgery can combine two complementary fat grafting techniques to address both volume loss and skin quality simultaneously. The result is a two in one treatment, restored volume from micro fat transfer and improved skin texture, tone and fine lines from nano fat transfer. Micro fat transfer involves injecting fat into the deeper layers beneath the skin to restore structural volume, smooth the contour of the hands and reduce the visibility of tendons and veins.
Around 20-30ml of the harvested fat goes through a further emulsification and filtration stage to obtain a smooth graft rich in regenerative stem cells, growth factors and adipose derived stromal cells. This nano fat is then injected superficially into the skin itself, not beneath it, specifically to target skin quality rather than volume. You may be an ideal candidate for fat transfer to hands if you:
- Notice thinning or hollowing on the back of your hands
- Have prominent or protruding veins and tendons
- Experience loose or crepey skin on your hands
- Are seeking a natural alternative to synthetic hand fillers
- Want to improve skin texture and fine lines
How does Nano Fat Transfer improve skin texture and fine lines?
The regenerative power of nano fat lies in its high concentration of adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and growth factors. Unlike surface treatments such as topical creams or laser resurfacing alone, nano fat works at a cellular level to regenerate the skin, making it a powerful addition to any hand rejuvenation procedure.
The nano fat procedure utilises your own stem cells and growth factors found in adipose (fat) tissue to regenerate damaged or ageing tissues, boost vascularisation and nourish the skin. The stem cells and growth factors present in processed fat tissue actively contribute to tissue regeneration and healing. Once injected into the superficial layers of the skin, these cells stimulate the body’s own natural repair processes, encouraging:
- Increased collagen and elastin production for firmer, more resilient skin
- Improved skin hydration and overall skin quality
- Reduction in the appearance of fine lines and crepey skin texture
- A more even skin tone and improved luminosity
- Long term skin rejuvenation from within
Did you know?
WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE PROCEDURE?
Mr Olivier Amar will remove some fat from your body, usually from the abdomen or thighs, using a fine micro cannula for your comfort. Your extracted fat is then spun and filtered in a centrifuge to extract SV Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF). This liquid is then mixed with purified fat to form a natural filler.
WHAT FORM OF ANAESTHETIC WILL BE USED?
| A small quantity fat transfer may be performed under local anaesthetic, however more extensive fat grafting is performed under total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA). A technique of anaesthesia which uses a combination of agents given exclusively via the intravenous route without the use of gas anaesthesia. This means you will sleep comfortably throughout the procedure and wake immediately afterwards with a significantly reduced likelihood of feeling groggy or nauseous. The anaesthesia will be explained to you by your anaesthetist during the preoperative consultation. |
WHAT EFFECT CAN SMOKING AND ALCOHOL HAVE ON MY FAT GRAFTING RESULTS?
Certain lifestyle factors can increase the risk of complications during and after your surgery. The most common impact of smoking before your surgery is that it increases your chances of developing an infection and inhibits your body’s natural healing processes. We insist that all patients stop smoking and using nicotine products at least six weeks before surgery. Reducing alcohol intake is also strongly advised. This is particularly important for fat grafting surgery in which the fat’s viability post-procedure is materially reduced in a smoker population.
HOW MANY OF MY FAT CELLS WILL SURVIVE?
Between 50 and 70 percent of fat cells survive the transfer process, establishing a blood supply, meaning the results are permanent. Mr Olivier Amar will allow for this in his initial evaluation of the amount to be injected.
HOW LONG DOES THE SURGERY TAKE?
The length of the procedure varies according to the amount of fat to be re-injected and may take between 60-90 minutes
CAN MY FAT BE STORED FOR FUTURE TREATMENTS?
Fat storage has recently become available in the UK. If all the fat taken from you is not used in a single procedure, Mr Olivier Amar is happy to discuss the option of storing it for possible future treatments.
What is fat transfer surgery?
Surgical fat transfer or fat grafting is a cosmetic procedure to move fat from one part of the body to another. Also known as ‘fat grafting’, the aim is to remove unwanted fat from one area (such as the tummy or thighs) and use it to smoothen or rejuvenate another area. The technique harvests fat from the body and extracts the most valuable source of stem cells, it then transfers those enriched cells into another area to help plump out and rejuvenate the overlying skin.
Hand rejuvenation with fat transfer addresses concerns such as:
- Aging hands
- Crepey skin
- Prominent veins
- Volume loss
Meet Olivier Amar – Leading Plastic Surgeon in Chelsea, London
Mr Olivier Amar is a renowned London-based consultant plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon specialising in face, breast and body surgery, advanced non-surgical facial rejuvenation, hair loss treatments and regenerative medicine. With over 15 years of experience, Mr Olivier Amar has earned a reputation among both patients and peers alike for transforming cosmetic surgery into an art form.
“Cosmetic surgery is a demanding profession and patient expectations are high. But I am a doctor first and a surgeon second. My only concern is the patient in front of me, fulfilling their needs and managing their expectations. My work is intense; it means everything to me and is my lifelong passion.”
Mr Amar’s commitment to precision and refinement extends through every aspect of patient care, from initial consultation to post-operative support. All treatments take place at his private practice in Chelsea, London. Working alongside Mr Amar is a highly skilled team of dedicated nurses, experienced anaesthetists from leading NHS and private hospitals, and specialised management staff. This collaborative approach ensures comprehensive, world-class care for all patients.
How can I compliment my overall result?
Express PRP treatment
Hand rejuvenation with fat transfer and PRP can help to rejuvenate the look of the hands by increasing volume for a younger appearance, while boosting the skin’s radiance and luminosity.
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Aerolase Neo laser treatment
The goal of hand rejuvenation with fat transfer and Aerolase Neo laser is to add volume to cover underlying vessels and tendons and stimulates collagen.
