Fat Transfer
A major component of facial aging is volume loss. This may appear in areas like the cheeks, around the eyes and temples, and the lips. While dermal fillers offer a temporary option for restoring volume in the face, the popularity of Boston fat transfer (fat injections) for a more permanent anti-aging option is growing exponentially. Many patients prefer augmentation using only their own natural tissues.
The fat transfer procedure
Facial fat grafting is completely customized to the patient’s anatomy and pattern of volume loss.
Fat is harvested from the abdomen or inner thigh through a very small incision. The fat is processed and carefully placed in small droplets in areas of volume loss, most commonly cheek, nasolabial fold, marionette lines and pre-jowl sulcus but also for many patients in temples, brow, chin, and earlobes. Approximately 60% of the fat that is grafted takes, as the blood vessels adapt to the grafted fat to ensure it has proper blood supply. The portion of fat that takes remains permanently.
Fat transfer to the face can be performed on its own, or in combination with eyelid lift surgery or facelift surgery if you are looking for a comprehensive transformation.
What fat transfer can treat
- Facial volume loss
- Deep wrinkles and folds, such as marionette lines and nasolabial folds
- Under-eye hollows
- Small lips
- Sunken cheeks and temples
Good candidates for facial fat grafting
Good candidates often seek treatment for specific concerns such as hollow cheeks, sunken areas under the eyes, deep nasolabial folds, or loss of facial volume due to aging. You should be at a stable weight, and prepared to commit to a restful recovery (you will have some limits, such as on exercise, for up to 6 weeks after the procedure).
While there is no specific age limit, candidates should have sufficient skin elasticity. Younger patients with more elastic skin tend to see better results. However, older patients can still benefit from the procedure, especially when combined with other facial rejuvenation treatments such as a facelift or eyelid surgery. It is also important to have enough donor fat in areas like the abdomen that can be harvested and transferred.
Finally, you should be a non-smoker in good overall health, with clear expectations for the outcomes of this procedure after you’ve met with one of our plastic surgeons at our Boston plastic surgery office.
- Key Benefits
- Glossary
- Natural-looking volume enhancement
- Long-lasting rejuvenation results
- Minimal scarring and downtime
- Utilizes your own body fat
- Improves overall skin texture
- Autologous: Refers to the use of a patient’s own tissue, such as fat cells, for grafting or transfer.
- Blepharoplasty: A surgical procedure to correct deformities, defects, and disfigurations of the eyelids.
- Cannula: A thin tube inserted into the body to remove or inject fluids, commonly used in fat transfer surgery.
- Centrifugation: A process that separates fat cells from other components by spinning them at high speed.
- Donor Site: The area of the body from which fat is harvested for transfer.
- Fat Embolism: A serious complication where fat enters the bloodstream and causes blockages.
- Fat Necrosis: The death of fat cells, which can cause lumps and irregularities in the treated area.
- Fat Graft: The fat tissue that is harvested, processed, and then injected into another area of the body.
- Fat Grafting/Fat Transfer: The process of transferring fat from one part of the body to another to add volume and contour.
- Graft Viability: The likelihood that the transferred fat cells will survive and integrate into the recipient site.
- Harvested Fat: Fat that is collected from a donor site for use in a grafting procedure.
- Intravascular Injection: An injection directly into a blood vessel, which is a risk if not done correctly.
- Nasolabial Folds: The lines that run from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth, often treated with fat transfer.
- Recipient Site: The area of the body where the fat is injected during a transfer procedure.
- Stromal Cells: Cells found in the supportive tissue surrounding fat cells, important for graft viability.
- Stromal Vascular Fraction: A component of fat tissue that contains stem cells and other regenerative cells.
- Tumescent Technique: A method used in liposuction (liposculpture) where a large volume of dilute anesthetic solution is injected to reduce pain and bleeding.
- Volume: The amount of fat injected into the recipient site to achieve the desired contour and fullness.
- Glycolic Acid Peels: A chemical peel that can improve skin texture and tone, often used in facial rejuvenation treatments.
- Injections: The process of administering fat or other substances into the body using a needle.
- Dermal Fillers: Injectable substances used to restore volume and fullness to the skin, often used in conjunction with fat transfer.
- Dermabrasion: A skin-resurfacing procedure that uses a rapidly rotating device to remove the outer layers of skin, often used in facial rejuvenation.
- Juvederm: A brand of dermal filler made from hyaluronic acid, used to add volume to facial tissue.
- Intravascular Injection: An injection directly into a blood vessel, which can be a complication if not performed correctly.
- Fat Necrosis: The death of fat cells, which can result in lumps and irregularities in the treated area.
- Good Candidate: A patient who is well-suited for a particular procedure based on health, expectations, and other factors.
- Severe Complications: Serious potential adverse effects that can occur during or after a procedure.
- Side Effects: Common, often temporary effects that occur after a procedure, such as swelling or bruising.
- Recovery Time: The period needed for a patient to heal and see the final results after a procedure.
- Youthful Appearance: The goal of many cosmetic procedures, to restore a look of youth and vitality.
- General Anesthesia: Medication-induced unconsciousness used during surgery.
- Local Anesthesia: Medication used to numb a specific area of the body during a procedure.
- Facial Rejuvenation: Procedures aimed at restoring a youthful appearance to the face.
- Reconstructive Surgery: Surgery performed to restore function and normal appearance, often following trauma or medical conditions.Fat Injection: Another term for fat transfer, where fat is injected into the face or other areas.
Recovery and side effects
Most patients experience minimal pain, typically taking only Tylenol after surgery. There is bruising and swelling for a few days, but you can return to work within a few days. You will have restrictions on strenuous activities and exercise for 4-6 weeks, or until Dr. Alannah Phelan clears you. Dr. Phelan will provide specific post-operative instructions tailored to your procedure and individual needs. It’s essential to follow her advice closely to ensure the best possible outcome and a smooth recovery.
Results
After about 6 months, the body will have absorbed any fat cells that did not “take,” and you can assume that the fat grafts that remain at this time will remain in place long-term. Still, the natural aging process will continue, so we recommend following up your facial anti-aging procedure with regular facials and Botox®-type injectables as needed, as well as medical-grade skincare to prevent sun damage, exfoliate the skin, and maintain a smooth complexion.
FAQs
To learn more about how facial fat transfer in Boston can transform your appearance, schedule your consultation with Boston female plastic surgeon Dr. Alannah Phelan. Please call Boston Plastic Surgery at (617) 786-7600.
References »
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Bellini E, Grieco MP, Raposio E. The science behind autologous fat grafting. Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2017 Nov 10;24:65-73. doi: 10.1016/j.amsu.2017.11.001.
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