Fat Transfer Procedure
Fat Transfer Overview - Beverly Hills & Los Angeles
Fat transfers or fat grafting is an exciting facial rejuvenation procedure that allows us to sculpt and restore the face to its natural beauty. Age and exercise can produce fat atrophy in the face resulting in a sunken, gaunt appearance. As we age, it is not only the sagging skin that makes us look older, but also the loss of volume in the face – the hollowed out temples and eyes, flatter cheeks, and jowls. The goal of the fat transfer or fat grafting is to fill in those areas. It is the same reasoning that is behind the non-surgical fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm. The benefit with using fat is that it is natural, and essentially permanent.
Who is a candidate for a fat transfer?
Clients who would benefit from a fat transfer are those with large losses of volume in their face who would otherwise require several syringes of Restylane or Juvederm. Areas of concern include the temples, under eye area, cheek, smile lines, and jaw line where jowling can occur. If you look at pictures of yourself from your teens, twenties, thirties, etc, you will notice how the cheeks become smaller and descend along the face. This exposes the under eye area which may look hollowed out. The goal would be to restore the fat that was lost for a natural looking result that is not overdone.
Who is not a candidate for fat transfer?
Clients who have fine lines, such as horizontal forehead lines, vertical lines in between the eyebrows, and crow’s feet, would not benefit from a fat transfer. These lines are better treated with injectable fillers such as Restylane, or chemical peels for fine lines. Fat injections are very good at filling out an entire area, but not as much for very small changes.
Can a fat transfer be combined with another procedure?
Facial fat transfers can be used as a single procedure to treat the whole face or targeted areas. It can also be combined with other procedures, such as a facelift or eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty). When combined with another procedure, the results are impressive as you are addressing both problems of aging – sagging skin and loss of volume.
What is the procedure like?
During a facial fat transfer, fat is first harvested from another area of the body, such as the abdomen, hips or buttocks, through a gentle suctioning technique. Using a small cannula the fat is then injected into the face. Despite the minimal invasiveness of this procedure some post-operative bruising and swelling can be expected. The fat does not move or shift as it becomes incorporated as living tissue; results are extremely long lasting, if not permanent. This outpatient procedure usually requires only a local anesthetic or IV sedation, and there are no dressings or drains.
How long is the recovery after fat transfer?
In general, the bruising and swelling can last 1-2 weeks. As an exclusive service, we offer a free consultation and treatment with our medical herbalist included in the surgery. This customized herbal medical blend reduces and even eliminates bruising. Several patients have used her services and it has reduced their down time to 3-4 days.
Procedures / Fat Transfer
