During the aging process, we lose fullness to our face, resulting in a sunken look. Today, the new thinking in plastic surgery is to replace volume in the face, rather than pull it tighter. Oftentimes, the best option to replace volume is a fat transfer procedure. Fat grafting is implantation of your own, natural fat in right areas, this can volumize the face giving a fresh and glowing appearance. The advantage of fat grafting is the use of own natural fat that can give permanent results.
Fat is what gives the face it's volume, and a youthful face is a volumized face. Aging, hormonal shifts, and weight loss can cause significant amounts of facial fat to be lost. Large and rapid weight loss (over 20lbs) can cause loss of fat and volume in the mid-face which in turn produces an aged appearance.
Fat transfer involves surgically removing fat from one area of the body using liposuction and transplanting it to another. Over time, some of the fat may resorb; however, much of it will last for a long time. Nonetheless, the resorption of fat will vary individually and is not completely predictable. Fat is harvested through a small incision from either the neck or the abdomen; the fat is then cleansed and concentrated, after which it is injected into the desired area. There is minimal swelling and rarely any bruising. Most patients return back to work or play shortly following the procedure.
Good candidates for fat transfer include men and women who are physically healthy, have realistic expectations, and are interested in improving the contour of the face by diminishing lines and/or adding fullness. Fat transfer procedures can be performed in an office based facility and/or the hospital and are usually performed with sedation or when combined with a facelift, general anesthesia. The procedure usually takes less than an hour to complete. Fat transfer procedures typically involve very little downtime though some redness, swelling and bruising may occur. Most patients are able to return to work right away, but sun exposure should be limited until the redness and bruising have cleared up.
