Fat Transfer/ Fat Grafting
Are you unhappy with the proportions of your face, the loss of fullness in your cheeks, and wish to add youthful plumpness to areas that are lacking in volume? If this sounds like you, fat transfer/fat grafting may be the procedure for you! This treatment uses your own fat to achieve fullness of your face where needed, creating a rejuvenated and youthful appearance. Your own fat also contains stem cells and growth factors that further help to get that rejuvenated glow through added volume and skin improvement. As a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Thomas Walker has extensive experience performing fat transfers and understands that each client is unique with a different set of goals. He will take the time to get to know you and your personal wishes to create an individual treatment plan just for you.
What is Fat Transfer/Fat Grafting?
Fat transfer/grafting is a cosmetic procedure that uses your own fat harvest via liposuction elsewhere in your body to add youthful plumpness to various areas of your face. Because your own fat is used during this procedure, you won’t have to worry about allergic reactions to fillers. Results are also natural, long-lasting, and safe. The advantage of fat grafting over fillers is that results with fat grafting last much longer and much more fat is available than for filler treatments, especially for a given cost. Clients that need a lot of facial volumization are much better off with a fat transfer than facial fillers.
Who is a Good Candidate for Fat Transfer/Fat Grafting?
Men and women who wish to improve their facial contour or correct a sunken appearance can benefit from fat transfer/fat grafting. Ideal candidates are healthy, do not have any circulation problems, are non-smokers, and have enough excess fat to extract via liposuction from the abdomen, flanks, or thighs. Most clients have plenty of fat that can be obtained, even those that have an ideal body weight. A consultation with Dr. Walker is necessary to determine if you are a good candidate for this procedure.
How is the Fat Transfer/Fat Grafting Procedure Done?
This procedure is performed under local anesthesia, twilight sleep, or general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure, depending on the size of the treatment area. There are three main steps to the fat transfer/fat grafting process.
- First, fat must be extracted from the donor site using liposuction. Manual methods of liposuction are often used with thin cannulas. The fat is typically harvested from either the abdomen, flanks, or thighs.
- Then, the fat is placed into a centrifuge and processed. This separates the fat cells from extra fluid, dead fat cells, and other debris.
- Next, the purified fat is injected into the treatment area of your face. The amount of fat reinjected will vary depending on the treatment area and desired outcome. However, surgeons usually inject more fat than is necessary, since 25-30% of the injected fat cells will not survive.
Fat Transfer/Fat Grafting Recovery
You may experience some bruising and swelling in both the donor and recipient areas following fat transfer/grafting. Cold compresses can help to minimize swelling, which will gradually subside with time. After about 10 days, clients usually feel comfortable resuming everyday activities. Bruising may take longer to dissipate, but it can easily be hidden with makeup although the bruising typically subsided within two weeks. You will return to the office for a follow-up appointment one week after your procedure to ensure you are healing well. Final results can be seen after about three months and should be semi-permanent.
Schedule Your Consultation
Fat transfer is a great procedure to help many individuals feel more confident in their appearance. If you are looking to learn more about this procedure, contact us today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Walker.
