Penile augmentation with autologous fat injections refers to a cosmetic procedure where a person’s own fat is harvested from one part of their body and injected into their penis to increase its size. This technique, also known as penile fat grafting or lipofilling, involves liposuction to remove fat from areas such as the abdomen or thighs, which is then processed and purified before being re-injected into the penile tissue.

The goal of this procedure is to enhance the girth and sometimes the length of the penis. Using autologous fat, meaning the patient’s own fat, reduces the risk of allergic reactions and rejection, making it a popular option for those seeking a natural enhancement. However, it is important to note that the results can vary, and multiple sessions may be required to achieve the desired effect. Additionally, the procedure should be performed by a qualified and experienced surgeon to minimize potential complications.

How to do “penile augmentation with autolog fat injections”?

Performing penile augmentation with autologous fat injections is a complex medical procedure that should only be carried out by a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon or urologist. Here is an overview of the process:

Preoperative Preparation

• Consultation and Evaluation: The patient undergoes a thorough consultation to discuss their goals, medical history, and any potential risks. The surgeon evaluates whether the patient is a suitable candidate for the procedure.
• Preoperative Instructions: The patient receives instructions on how to prepare for the surgery, including dietary restrictions, cessation of certain medications, and lifestyle modifications such as quitting smoking.

The Procedure

• Anesthesia: The procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the extent of the surgery and the patient’s preference.
• Liposuction:

Harvesting Fat: Fat is harvested from areas of the body with excess fat, such as the abdomen, thighs, or flanks, using liposuction. The surgeon makes small incisions and inserts a cannula to suction out the fat.

Processing Fat: The harvested fat is then processed to purify and concentrate it. This involves removing blood, oil, and other impurities to ensure that only healthy fat cells are used for the injection.

• Injection:

Preparation: The penis is prepared for the injection, often with a local anesthetic to numb the area.

Fat Injection: Using fine cannulas, the surgeon carefully injects the purified fat into the penile shaft. The injections are strategically placed to ensure even distribution and natural-looking results. The surgeon may massage the area to shape the penis and ensure the fat is evenly distributed.

Postoperative Care

• Monitoring: The patient is monitored for a short period after the procedure to ensure there are no immediate complications.
• Recovery Instructions: The patient receives detailed instructions on how to care for the surgical sites, manage pain and swelling, and recognize signs of potential complications. This may include wearing compression garments on the areas where liposuction was performed.
• Follow-Up Visits: Scheduled follow-up visits are important to monitor the healing process and the success of the fat grafting.

Potential Risks and Considerations

• Complications: As with any surgical procedure, there are risks, including infection, asymmetry, lumps or irregularities, fat reabsorption, and changes in penile sensation.
• Multiple Sessions: Some patients may require multiple sessions to achieve the desired results, as some of the injected fat may be reabsorbed by the body over time.

Indications

Penile augmentation with autologous fat injections is typically indicated for individuals seeking to enhance the size of their penis, particularly in terms of girth. Here are the main indications for this procedure:

• Cosmetic Enhancement: Individuals desiring increased penile girth for aesthetic reasons. Those seeking improved self-esteem and body image related to penis size.
  • Psychological Well-being: Men experiencing psychological distress, low self-confidence, or body image issues due to their perception of having a small penis.
  • Penile Size Concerns: Men who perceive their penile size as inadequate or who have been diagnosed with a condition like micropenis (although this is rare and typically defined as a penis significantly smaller than the average for an adult male).
  • Post-Weight Loss: Individuals who have lost a significant amount of weight and wish to redistribute some of the lost fat to the penile area for better proportion and appearance.
  • Post-Surgical Adjustments: Men who have undergone penile surgery for medical reasons and are seeking additional cosmetic enhancement.

Additional Considerations

• Realistic Expectations: Candidates should have realistic expectations regarding the outcomes of the procedure and understand that results can vary and may not be permanent.
• General Health: The candidate should be in good overall health and free from conditions that could complicate surgery or anesthesia.
• Non-Smokers: Non-smokers are preferred, as smoking can interfere with healing and the viability of the fat grafts.
• Stable Weight: Candidates should have a stable weight and enough body fat available for harvesting.

Contraindications

Main contraindications of penile fat injention include;

• Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as uncontrolled diabetes, bleeding disorders, or severe cardiovascular diseases, may contraindicate the procedure.
• Unrealistic Expectations: Individuals with unrealistic expectations about the outcomes or those seeking perfection rather than improvement.
• Psychological Issues: Those with untreated psychological disorders that could impact their perception of results or decision-making process.

Results

The results of penile augmentation with autologous fat injections can vary among individuals and depend on several factors, including the amount of fat injected, the technique used, and the patient’s healing process. Here are some key points regarding the expected results:

Initial Results: Patients typically notice an immediate increase in penile girth following the procedure due to the volume of fat injected. There may also be some initial swelling which can temporarily exaggerate the results.

Long-Term Results: A significant portion of the injected fat is likely to survive long-term, providing a lasting increase in penile girth. However, some of the fat may be reabsorbed by the body over time. The amount of fat that remains can vary, with studies and clinical reports suggesting that 30-50% of the fat might be reabsorbed within the first few months.

Natural Appearance and Feel: When performed correctly, the fat grafting should result in a natural appearance and feel of the penis. The use of the patient’s own fat helps ensure that the augmentation is well-integrated into the body.

Multiple Sessions: Due to the reabsorption of fat, some patients may require multiple sessions to achieve and maintain the desired girth enhancement. Follow-up sessions can help top up the fat volume and refine the results.

Patient Satisfaction: Many patients report increased self-confidence and satisfaction with their body image following the procedure.

  Psychological Benefits: The psychological benefits are often as significant as the physical changes.

Results can vary widely among individuals. Factors such as the patient’s metabolism, the area from which the fat was harvested, and post-procedure care can influence outcomes. Patients should have realistic expectations and understand that individual results may differ.

Advantages and disadvantages

Penile augmentation with autologous fat injections, like any medical procedure, comes with both advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a balanced overview:

Advantages:

• Natural Material: The use of the patient’s own fat reduces the risk of allergic reactions or rejection compared to synthetic materials or implants.
• Natural Appearance and Feel: When performed by a skilled surgeon, the injected fat can result in a natural appearance and feel of the penis, enhancing both aesthetics and function.
• Customizable Results: The procedure allows for customization of the results based on the patient’s desires and anatomy. Fat injections can be strategically placed to achieve desired girth enhancement.
• Dual Benefit: Patients can benefit from body contouring where fat is harvested, providing a secondary cosmetic enhancement.
• Minimally Invasive: It is generally less invasive compared to surgical procedures involving implants, with potentially shorter recovery times.
• Psychological Benefits: Many patients report improved self-confidence and body image following successful augmentation.

Disadvantages:

• Variable Results: The amount of fat that survives after transplantation can vary among individuals. Up to 30-50% of the injected fat may be reabsorbed by the body over time, necessitating potential touch-up procedures.
• Risk of Irregularities: There is a risk of uneven fat distribution, leading to lumps, nodules, or irregularities in the treated area.
• Potential Complications: Like any surgical procedure, there are risks of infection, bleeding, or adverse reactions to anesthesia.
• Skill-Dependent: The success of the procedure heavily depends on the skill and experience of the surgeon performing it. Choosing a qualified specialist is crucial to minimize risks and achieve satisfactory results.
• Cost Considerations: The cost of multiple sessions, if needed, can be significant. Insurance typically does not cover cosmetic procedures, adding to the financial consideration.
• Temporary Results: While some fat can provide long-lasting enhancement, the natural turnover of fat cells in the body means that maintenance sessions may be necessary to sustain results over the long term.

Summary

Penile augmentation with autologous fat injections involves harvesting fat from the patient’s body, purifying it, and injecting it into the penis to enhance girth. This procedure offers a natural look and feel, uses the body’s own tissue to reduce rejection risks, and can improve self-confidence. However, results can vary, with some fat absorption over time necessitating potential touch-ups. Choosing a skilled surgeon is crucial for minimizing risks and achieving satisfactory outcomes.

Prof. Dr. Emin ÖZBEK

Urologist

Istanbul- TURKIYE