Some people are born with naturally full faces, while others may have a sunken face, particularly around the eyes and cheekbones. For many people, what was once a youthful, full face develops volume deficiencies due to aging and gravity. The cheeks may begin to droop, creating circles under the eyes and hollowness in the midface. Fat transfers are an excellent solution for correcting volume and contour issues, as they are completely natural and come from your own body, making them biologically safe. Fat transfers are often complimented by other procedures, such as eyelid surgery and lower face and neck lifting.
How Do Fat Transfers Work?
Fat transfers, also called fat grafting and fat injections, soften facial features by correcting facial deficiencies. Fat is harvested from another part of the body, such as the abdomen, buttocks, or thighs – the harvest site depends on the recipient’s individual needs. Harvesting can be done through local anesthesia and may improve the shape of the harvest area. This is done with remarkable comfort. The harvested fat, which may be called fat pearls, are living grafts from your own body. These are transferred into regions of the face through very small cannulas and a tiny poke in the skin. These sites heal without a scar. Approximately 70% of the transferred fat survives creating long-term benefits. The fat is delivered very precisely using as series of specially shaped microcannulas designed specifically for this purpose. The amount of fat injected depends on the shape of your face and the volume of the deficiencies. The fat is usually placed under the subcutaneous fat already present just under the surface of your skin or adjacent to the facial musculature according to the FAMI technique based on the surgeon’s artistic judgment, so the ultimate results appear completely natural.
Fat injections are safe because your body cannot reject the transfers or have an allergic reaction to them. Since this procedure uses your own fat cells, the body accepts these transfers as a biological match.
When Do I Need Fat Transfers?
There is no universal answer to this question. You will need an individual consultation to find out which filling method(s) are most appropriate. Juvederm and Restylane injections may be appropriate, but if they don’t get the job done or are inappropriate to your needs, then fat injections may be an alternative. Fat grafting is an excellent choice when the face needs more volume than can be practically done with the other facial fillers. Fat grafting can be particularly helpful in areas like the midface, cheek, jawline and brows. If you have areas of hollowness in the cheek and bags, circles, or sunken areas around the eyes, you may be an excellent candidate for fat transfers. If your face looks hard and aged rather than soft and full, fat transfers may benefit you. The required procedure depends on many factors, such as the natural shape of your face, the thickness of each region of your skin, how much soft tissue is present, what kind of deficit you have, and of course the unique needs of your face. In some cases more than one filling method may be appropriate. Only an experienced surgeon who specializes in improving facial aesthetics will be able to tell you for sure. Ultimately, there is no substitute for a personal consultation.
The Healing Process
People receiving facial fat transfers see results right away but it is important to remember that swelling and bruising after treatment is normal. Typically the bruising lasts about 10 days and most feel ready to return to work at that point. Swelling of some degree may persist for several weeks. A key to peace of mind after your procedure is to allow yourself time to heal. Fat pearls and fat transfers naturally heal with a somewhat lumpy firmness. You will notice this when you feel the treated locations with your hands but it is unusual to see the processes at the skin surface. This is most noticeable at weeks 4 to 6 and then gradually resolves. Typically by four months this firmness as completely resolved.
Your doctor will go over the healing process with you and help you understand what to expect. Although you are bruised after surgery, you will find that you are remarkably comfortable. Downtime is usually about 10 days, although certain activities, such as intense contact sports should be avoided to 2 weeks.
Since fat pearls and fat transfers are 100% natural and come directly from your own body, the transfer region will accept the new cells with results that typically last longer than other filling methods.
There Is No Substitute for Experience
Fat transfer can be a fantastic procedure and with the right surgeon there is no reason it shouldn’t be. Facial fat transfers require precision, insight, and attention to detail. Benefit form Dr. Steinsapir’s exceptional experience and skills. Call for a consultation today and find out how you can rejuvenate your appearance.