Fat Grafting
During fat grafting, fat is harvested by liposuction from a part of the body where it is unwanted and then transferred into an area to add volume or correct a contour problem. Advantages of fat grafting include using your own fatty tissues rather than a foreign body injectable and the added benefit of having liposuction remove fat from an area where you don’t want it.
Fat grafting to the face
Fat grafting to the face consists of two procedures performed on the same day: first harvesting the fat and then placement into the face.
To begin, a substantial amount of fat is removed with a fine harvesting cannula connected to a small syringe. Then, the harvested fat is injected meticulously through four tiny 2-4 mm incisions using blunt infiltration cannulas.
This technique is able to create a long-lasting and natural result anywhere in the body.
However, a second method of rejuvenation has just recently become apparent. Fat has the highest concentration of repair (stem) cells of any tissue in the body. Placing fat full of stem cells under a damaged skin where there is little fat may have a repairing effect on the skin. Such a repairing effect can reverse the damage to the skin caused by aging and sun exposure.
This typically takes four hours for this procedure. The fragile fatty tissue must be harvested slowly and gently. The fat is then placed into the face not only so that it will create an aesthetic, natural appearance, but also so that the newly transplanted fat has a chance to survive. This is by injecting the fat into many different layers, so that each layer has its own blood supply.
Results
The results of this particular procedure may be a little unpredictable. The reason is that much of the injected fat is absorbed, leaving an average of about 40 percent in place. Patients may require more than one treatment to achieve the best results. Each time the procedure is repeated, more fat is accumulated in the treated area. This tends to offer longer-lasting results, even lifetime results.
The most common, but infrequent, complications of fat transfers include uneven skin texture, infection, abscess, or scarring. If fat is injected into two or more areas, patients may have asymmetry whereby the fat appears uneven in different areas. Treatment for complications can range from oral medications to surgical intervention, depending upon the extent of the complication.
Only small quantities are transplanted at a time because the fat cells need to develop their own blood supply or they will die.
Fat Transfer to the Face :
Common indications are :
- Lip enlargement
- Nasolabial Folds
- Hollow Cheeks
- Tear trough of the lower eyelid
- Hollow upper eyelids
- Chin enlargement
- Nose : bridge of the nose smoothening after rhinoplasty.
Each indication has alternatives, which have to be discussed with your surgeon.
However, fat transfer does not replace a facelift, chin or cheek implant, or a sliding genioplasty.
Contact us
We will gladly take the time to offer you a professional, extensive and realistic consultation. The first consultation at The City Clinic is always free and noncommittal. Contact us now.
