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Autologous fat grafting, commonly referred to as fat transfer, is a surgical procedure that involves the harvesting of adipose tissue from one area of the body and its subsequent injection into another area to restore volume or improve contour. This technique is utilized for both reconstructive and aesthetic purposes, addressing issues such as volume loss or contour deformities that may arise from various factors including disease, trauma, tumor removal, congenital defects, and the natural aging process. The procedure begins with the collection of fat through liposuction, which is a minimally invasive technique that uses small incisions to access the fat deposits. The harvested fat is then processed to prepare it for injection. During the injection phase, small cannulas are inserted through the incisions into the targeted areas, allowing for the precise placement of the fat. The fat is injected in small amounts while withdrawing the cannula, which helps to distribute the fat evenly and minimizes the risk of complications such as overcrowding of the transplanted adipocytes. The CPT® Code 15772 specifically pertains to the reporting of each additional 50 cc of injectate used in the procedure, following the primary procedure code, which is represented by CPT® Code 15771 for the initial 50 cc or less of fat grafting.
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