Fat Transfers

Introduction

Another method of sculpting facial tissues is via fat transfer. Natural body fat is an excellent filler, as your tissues immediately accept it. It can also create a more permanent result as opposed to artificial fillers.

Ideal Candidates

This procedure is most commonly done to fill in lost facial volume due to aging or illness. It can be used to correct sunken cheeks, thin lips, brow wrinkles, crows feet, and many other common complaints. 

How It's Done

Under either a general anesthetic or sedation, fat is removed from the selected area, generally your stomach. It is then put through mechanical separation process prior to being injected into the desired region.

The procedure takes approximately one to two hours, depending on the number of treatment areas. Whether performed under sedation or general anesthesia, you will not feel any discomfort during the procedure.

Recovery

Immediately after the procedure, you will notice swelling around the treatment areas. Expect some of the fat injected to be absorbed by your body, so the surgeon will inject slightly more than necessary to achieve the final result. You may wish to use ice and over-the-counter medications to help control the swelling.

Most patients find that they can return to work within a few days. After three weeks, you will have achieved final results.

You should avoid strenuous physical activity for about three weeks after their procedure. While the injection sites will have healed, you should take care not to injure the fat removal area.

Fat injections are generally repeated once a year, as the body will absorb the fat over time. This can vary by patient, as some injections will absorb more slowly than others. Frequently, a percentage of the fat remains, so that less augmentation becomes necessary in future procedures.