A facial fat transfer, also known as fat injections or fat grafting, is a procedure that helps to restore volume and shape to the face while eliminating wrinkles. The procedure involves taking fat from an area of your body where there is excess fat, such as your outer thighs, and then injecting that fat into the face in order to enhance and rejuvenate. Fat transfer is a safe procedure that provides long-lasting natural-looking results.
Why Come In for a Facial Fat Transfer?
The dermal layers under your skin thin out as you age. This can make your face look gaunt and can leave your skin sagging, creating an aged appearance. Everyday stressors can take a toll on your face as well. All of these conditions can be effectively treated with facial fat transfer. After the treatment, you will look younger and rejuvenated. This can help to improve your self-esteem and self-confidence.
If there are areas in your face that appear sunken or creased, you can come in for a facial fat transfer procedure to add volume in those areas. If you have are wrinkles like crow’s feet, laugh lines, or smile lines, this treatment can fill in these wrinkles for smoother and more youthful-looking skin. Acne scars can also be effectively treated with the fat transfer procedure.
If you want to avoid injections of dermal filler products and want to correct facial issues on a more permanent basis, the facial fat transfer may be right for you. It is important to note that you must be in good health to undergo this procedure.
The Consultation
During the initial consultation, you will be able to discuss your aesthetic goals with your surgeon. He may give you a mirror and ask you what exactly you want to achieve, which will give him a greater understanding of your goals. The doctor will then ask you a series of questions about your medical history, including whether you have any medical conditions and whether you have had any previous surgeries. He will also let you know what can be realistically achieved with facial fat grafting.
The Facial Fat Transfer Procedure
The length of your facial fat transfer procedure will depend on how much fat is required and how many areas need to be filled. At the start of your procedure, local anesthesia will be administered in the area from which fat will be harvested. Fat will then be harvested from this area (typically inner/outer thigh, lower abdomen, or lower back) using thin cannulas. The areas where the fat is collected from are called donor sites.
The collected fat will then be purified in a special centrifuge before injecting it. The purified fat will be carefully injected into the facial areas that need improvement; these areas are called recipient sites.
The facial fat transfer procedure is usually done as an outpatient procedure. You will be able to go home the same day after the procedure.
After the Procedure
There may be swelling and bruising in the donor sites and the recipient sites. These issues are only temporary and will ameliorate after a couple of days. There is only minimal downtime associated with the facial fat transfer procedure, and your surgeon will tell you when you will be able to return to your normal level of activity.
The newly deposited fat will be able to establish a connection to the blood supply to receive nourishment from your body, helping it thrive in the area for long-lasting results.
Come In for a Consultation
To schedule your consultation with well-respected double-board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Leo Keegan, contact our office today and arrange your appointment.
