What is BodyBanking®?
BodyBanking® is the name of the process Dr. Steinbrech has developed for the way he performs his signature autologous fat transfer procedures as a leading specialist in male plastic surgery. The board-certified doctor developed this method by designating specific areas for fat removal, using proper fat-purification techniques, and introducing fat to parts of the body that will maintain consistent results. During the initial liposuction portion of the procedure when fat is harvested, Dr. Steinbrech uses selective fat transfer, which promotes a fairly constant amount of fat cells throughout the desired area to prevent instances of disproportionate fat growth, which can occur if patients gain weight. By controlling the density of the fatty tissue, Dr. Steinbrech is able to produce natural-looking improvement with less risk of future compromise.
The areas where selective fat transfer is used to enhance are the shoulders, pectorals, biceps, triceps, glutes, and calves. These muscle groups can benefit from strategically placed fat to provide the appearance of muscle enhancement. BodyBanking® can be performed on its own or with the addition of silicone implants. Dr. Steinbrech uses special techniques to maintain masculine characteristics of the body while creating appropriate curvature in every step of body contouring.
- What is BodyBanking®?
- Before Bodybanking: What Is C.A.T.C.H Fat?
- Bodybanking Treatment: Muscleshadowing®
- The Benefits of Autologous Fat Transfer
- How BodyBanking® is Performed
- Bodybanking Complementary Procedure: Facial Fat Grafting
- Some Things to Consider with BodyBanking®
- Frequently Asked Questions about BodyBanking®
Dr. Steinbrech’s Motto: “Turn Fat to Fit®”
It may seem counterintuitive that fat placement can help a patient to appear more toned, but there are a number of reasons why fat transfer is an ideal solution for many figure-contouring male patients. The initial liposuction procedure removes unwanted fat from areas of the body where it is present in excess. This completes the first step of the muscle enhancement procedure, where the layer of fat that once obstructed the view of the musculature under the skin has been partially eliminated. Next, the fat is introduced around muscle groups to create Dr. Steinbrech’s MuscleShadowing® technique.
Before Bodybanking: What Is C.A.T.C.H Fat?
Sometimes when patients have normal routine traditional liposuction, after surgery they may get fat in other areas. If patients increase their calorie burn rate with exercise or eat the same amount of food after surgery this can result in new fat deposition in undesired areas.
The scientific term is Compensatory Adipo Trophic Cellular Hypertrophy. C.A.T.C.H can show up again as visceral fat, facial cheek buccal fat, or fatty deposits in the inner and outer thighs. By banking the fat with BodyBanking®, any extra calories after surgery may result in increased mass to the desired muscular areas and at the same time preventing C.A.T.C.H fat from showing up in undesired areas.
Bodybanking Treatment: Muscleshadowing®
MuscleShadowing® is the selective fat liposuction to enhance the following muscle groups: biceps, triceps, deltoids, pecs, quads, and calves. The doctor can create gladiator abs or surfer abs of the midsection. He can also perform chest and bicep augmentation, along with other modifications of the body, highlighted by MuscleShadowing®. The built aesthetic of these regions sculpts both the muscles and the area around the muscles to offer additional contour, which helps a person to look more toned. Ordinary non-selective Fat removal can leave areas of the body with a one-dimensional appearance, which must then be reshaped with the use of this naturally available material.
The Benefits of Autologous Fat Transfer
There are many ways that fat grafting has become a gold standard procedure for surgically chiseling regions of the body. The removal process offers instant benefits that may not be achievable without the intervention of liposculpture, regardless of a patient’s diet and workout regimen. The patient’s own fat provides a safe material recognized by the body’s immune system, so rejection is not a concern. Additionally, because fat is naturally occurring in the body, the material feels normal within the body and to the human touch. Dr. Steinbrech is able to produce excellent results that are custom created, yet are undetectable by the patient and others. Some patients may not tolerate silicone implants or bovine collagen, which makes the man’s own fat the ideal option for strategically adding volume to the body.
When BodyBanking® or fat transfers to the face are performed, patients are essentially undergoing two procedures during one scheduled procedure. It is cost-effective as the harvest site will be slimmed and the recipient site will be sculpted. If a patient were to undergo these procedures separately, they would incur higher costs. The procedure is relatively quick, lasting about an hour, and will offer instant results. Depending on different factors, the fat may require a retouching every few months or will remain in place permanently.
How BodyBanking® is Performed
First, the patient is marked with a surgical pen during the pre-surgical consultation. The treated regions are mapped out while the patient is upright as some body parts can appear slightly distorted when the patient is lying down during surgery. The doctor will go over the procedure and handle any last minute concerns the patient may have. While this information is covered during the consultation, the doctor and patient reconnect before any surgical changes are made. If the patient is provided sedation and anesthesia, there may be other members of the surgical team that he is introduced to.
The patient is placed into a comfortable and painless sedation or sleep, and the surgical and recipient sites of the body are disinfected and prepped. A fluid is injected into the fatty donor sites to enable a more fluid collection of tissue. The doctor then begins the liposuction procedure. Through a small incision, a cannula (liposuction suction tube) is inserted under the skin until it reaches the adipose tissue (fat). The suctioning begins and the fat is collected for purification. The site is cleansed and disinfected and the incisions are sutured closed. The next step in selective fat transfer requires the harvested fat to be of the highest quality for redistribution to the recipient sites. The fat is treated in-office in a centrifuge or filter and is ready for placement once the purification process is complete. The areas to receive the fat are prepped and the fat can be transferred below the skin through a series of injections or the use of a mini cannula, which distributes fat in its reverse function. The doctor will slightly overfill the recipient sites with fat as some of this tissue will be absorbed by the body.
Bodybanking Complementary Procedure: Facial Fat Grafting
While BodyBanking® is the term for Dr. Steinbrech’s signature body fat transfer procedure, similar techniques can be used to perform a facial fat graft. Fat can be removed from the body for transfer to the face. Extra fat can be removed from the jowls, the submental area (below the chin), and neck to offer a slimming of the face, free of extra fatty pockets. Fat from the body or areas around the face are prepared for placement under the eyes to fill hollows, or within the cheeks to provide the look of higher cheekbones. Fat can also be injected into the lips and chin for fullness and curvature of these features.
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Some Things to Consider with BodyBanking®
Before committing to the procedure, patients should be well-informed of the ins and outs of fat transfer. Some patients may notice some swelling and bruising following the procedure, and all patients should expect to take about one week off of work. This provides ample time for rest and healing, which are especially necessary in the days following the procedure. While BodyBanking® and facial fat transfer offer a number of benefits, the results may not be permanent. Some patients will maintain cosmetic improvement for months following fat transfer, while others may notice long-term or permanent sculpting. Potential patients should be aware about the possible need for retreatment. Another concern may be that the newly sculpted donor sites will be affected by weight gain. Fat removal is considered permanent provided patients follow a healthy diet and exercise regime.
Frequently Asked Questions about BodyBanking®
While it is possible for the skin to appear dimpled and uneven following the liposuction portion of a fat transfer procedure, there are measures that can limit the likelihood of post-procedure flaws. The most common occurrences of a textured appearance in a donor site result from excess skin, excessive harvesting of fat from the site, and poor suctioning techniques. The doctor can address these concerns prior to the procedure to learn if a patient is open to excess skin removal, multi-site fat removal, and other techniques that limit dimpling and cellulite from occurring.
Compression garments can be worn for a period following the procedure, and additional non-surgical treatments may help smooth these areas. Because of the minimal amount of fat harvested during a fat transfer, patients are less likely than full liposuction patients to experience any texture issues. Additionally, if the skin displays good elasticity, this may not be an issue.
Often, a portion of the fat transferred will not survive the treatment. To compensate, the doctor may need to introduce more fat to the area than what is necessary for cosmetic correction. Generally, around 80-85% of the injected fat will remain in place and will provide either temporary or permanent correction. The extra fat will be reabsorbed over time and patients can view their full results typically weeks after the procedure has been performed. There may be residual swelling and inflammation, which will subside over time.
Dr. Steinbrech can perform a number of different procedures to create contouring of the male form. Silicone implants are a great way to enhance the appearance of muscle mass throughout the body, and injectable fillers can restore volume to the face. Kybella injections can reduce a double chin without the use of liposuction.
Dr. Steinbrech is known for his dedication to surgical cosmetic improvement of the male physique. This is largely because other doctors focus on the needs of women and are unable to adequately care for men who seek the masculinized version of many procedures offered to the opposite sex. The doctor modifies his techniques to maintain the characteristics that create an attraction in the male face and body, carefully enhancing regions to produce natural results. Most men feel that male plastic surgery is somewhat taboo and seek natural, believable changes to their looks.
If you live in the states of New York or California, Douglas S. Steinbrech, MD offers BodyBanking® among its services. For a full list of services, please visit our Locations page.
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Steinbrech of New York
Douglas S. Steinbrech, M.D., F.A.C.S., is an expert in male plastic surgery and nonsurgical procedures of the body and face. The New York University-trained doctor learned his skills in General Surgery and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and further developed his expertise in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the NYU Institute of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. The doctor is qualified to perform numerous treatments on his patient base, and he has a strong following in both L.A. and NYC.
To learn more about BodyBanking® in NYC, please call (646) 949-0580 to set up an appointment with Dr. Steinbrech, or fill out the online Contact Us form.
