Dr. Kenneth Hughes and The Removal of Dead Fat (Fat Necrosis, Fat Death)
Dr. Kenneth Benjamin Hughes is a Harvard-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon practicing in Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Kenneth Hughes has built a fully accredited, state-of-the-art surgery center in which he performs a wide range of cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgeries. Dr. Kenneth Hughes performs tummy tuck, Brazilian... more
LOS ANGELES — Few people know what fat necrosis is, how it occurs, or why it is important. Fat necrosis is dead fat that occurs usually secondary to the lack of blood supply. Without the blood supply, the fat dies and becomes calcified and hard. This necrotic fat then may be painful or create an unpleasing appearance. Fat necrosis typically occurs as a result of trauma or secondary to transfer of fat during a surgical procedure.
Most commonly, Dr. Kenneth Hughes sees this dead fat phenomenon secondary to Brazilian butt lift procedures or BBL procedures. Dr. Hughes specializes in revision surgery and in this particular surgery as well. The fat necrosis may need to be removed if it persists over a period of months or is extremely painful. Sometimes the dead fat can create dents, and sometimes it can create a large unsightly lump. Patients frequently describe the dead fat as a brick or a rock.
Dead fat, unlike living fat, cannot be removed by liposuction, or removal of fat through a cannula by pressure extraction. The dead fat hardened by calcium must be removed in total through an incision in the skin, much like a cyst or a tumor is removed. Liposuction cannot remove high density components. Normal fat is less dense and can be removed by vacuum suction or liposuction.
If the removal is extensive, reconstruction with additional fat grafting may be necessary as well. Thus, the issue of fat necrosis requires an expert skill set to create the optimal result. The goal is to minimize the damage to the surrounding tissue while removing only the dead fat. This reduced the need for reconstruction. Larger dents from removal may require placement of buttock implants with or without additional fat grafting.
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