As we age, the fatty tissues in our face and other body parts start thinning, and the result is an aged, sunken look. Often, this makes us look older than we actually are. In such cases, you may have considered a facial-rejuvenation procedure as a solution.
Going under the knife can be an intimidating thought. For patients who would like to avoid scalpels, we provide the facial fat transfer procedure.
What Exactly Is a Facial Fat Transfer?
A facial fat transfer, also known as microlipoinjection or autologous fat transfer, is a procedure where the patient’s own fat cells are harvested from an area of their body and injected into regions of their face. The term “autologous” means taken from one’s own body.
The fat cells are injected into withered or sunken areas in the face like the cheek, undereye area, and chin. This plumps up these areas and adds volume and contours. The result is a more youthful, radiant look.
Steps Involved in a Facial Fat Transfer
Facial fat transfer involves three essential steps:
1. Liposuction: Since the basis of the entire procedure is transferring your own fat, the first step is to suction out excess fat from areas such as your thighs, arms, abdomen, or buttocks. This gentle liposuction is performed by a plastic surgeon.
2. Purification: The next step is where the harvested fat cells are isolated and cleaned. Excess fluids are filtered out, leaving healthy fat cells that are ideal for transfer into the face.
3. Injection: The third and final step is the actual transfer, where the fat cells are injected into the target areas of your face. This step is called fat cell transplantation.
What Is the Recovery Like?
After the fat transfer procedure, it is natural to experience mild swelling and discomfort. To preserve the quality of the results, it is advised that you do not stress the injected areas around three weeks. This is because it takes around this much time for the extracellular matrix around the fat grafts to be strong enough to be able to handle minor stresses.
Generally, it takes around four days for blood vessels to connect with the fat grafts. After this, it will take around two to three days for the blood vessels to become strong and fully reliable. It is important that you sleep on your back with a high pillow for at least the first week and that you are gentle with your face while washing.
Am I a Suitable Candidate for a Facial Fat Transfer?
If you are an adult and wish to have a more youthful look by getting rid of facial furrows, wrinkles, and depressions, this procedure may be right for you. A facial fat transfer can be ideal for patients who wish to avoid plastic surgery.
Get Started with Your Facial Fat Transfer
To get started with your facial fat transfer, contact Marietta Plastic Surgery for a consultation. During your consultation, you will need to discuss your medical history and any allergies with your plastic surgeon. You can also ask any questions you might have regarding the procedure and your results.