Through a fat transfer procedure, patients can have fat cells taken from one location and injected in an area that needs to be plumper, smoother, or rejuvenated. The concept seems almost too good to be true: a natural way to reallocate fat cells that can improve your appearance, often in dramatic ways. Fat transfers are a practical, long-lasting solution to many common issues with facial volume and aging. The number of areas that can be rejuvenated through facial fat transfer is extensive. It’s no wonder so many men and women opt for this procedure to aid in their own facial rejuvenation procedure.
What Is Facial Fat Transfer?
Facial fat transfers are designed to be a safe, natural way to enhance areas of the face that have lost volume or fatty tissue. They can be performed alone, or in conjunction with other facial surgeries, if you and your facial plastic surgeon feel it could be beneficial to your final results.
A fat transfer is performed through a multi-stage process. First, the fat cells must be harvested from an area of the body, typically the thighs or abdomen, where there is a higher concentration of unneeded fat cells. These cells are then spun in a centrifuge to be cleaned and prepared for injection. Finally, your facial plastic surgeon will carefully inject fat cells to the specific treatment area, or areas, of the face.
Typically, the treatment areas will be slightly overfilled to account for some fat cell loss, as the body adjusts to the presence of new cells. Normally, 70-80% of the transferred fat cells will survive and thrive. Once they have been integrated into the surrounding tissue, the cells of a fat transfer can provide long-lasting, sometimes permanent results.
Where Can Facial Fat Transfers Be Performed?
Fat transfers are typically targeted at areas of the face that appear creased, sunken, wrinkled, or creased. If you feel that you have one or more such areas on your face, you may be a good candidate for this procedure.
Through a consultation with a Board Certified facial plastic surgeon, you can determine exactly where and how much fat is needed to fill areas of your face. A facial fat transfer can be used to treat:
- Acne scars, chickenpox scars, and other small depressions in the skin
- Smile lines and laugh lines around the mouth
- Horizontal creases across the forehead
- Worry lines between the brows
- Lost volume of the lips
- Sunken cheeks
- Lost volume in the jaw, chin, and lower face
- Unevenness in the shape of the nose
- A nasal tip that is too pointy
How Can Fat Transfers Assist Patients Having Other Surgeries?
Given how much fat transfers can do and how many areas they can be used to treat, it might be easier to understand how this procedure could be beneficial to male and female patients alike. For those undergoing additional facial procedures, such as facelift surgery, a strategic transfer of fat cells could round out and balance the features, as well as create an even more youthful appearance once you have fully recovered. Talk to your facial plastic surgeon about the strategies that could best suit your unique needs and desired results.
Where Can I Find Out More About Facial Fat Transfer?
You can discover more on the benefits of a facial fat transfer during a consultation with a facial plastic surgeon. In the Houston area, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Paul Vitenas is highly respected by his colleagues and peers. He has over 20 years of experience and expertise. Dr. Vitenas’ sought after surgical style and techniques are often emulated by other plastic surgeons.
Set up a consultation with Dr. Vitenas today by calling the office at 281.484.0088 for more information. Those patients who are outside of the Houston area can request an online consultation. Vitenas Cosmetic Surgery also provides assistance with travel arrangements and accommodation reservations upon request.