How long does fat transfer to the face last?
Does fat transfer to the face work?
How much does fat transfer to the face cost?
Fat transfer, also called fat grafting, fat injections and lipofilling, is a procedure that uses a person’s own fat to fill in irregularities and grooves. This is now a well-established technique that was perfected in the early nineties to a predictable procedure and it is an alternative technique to a traditional facelift and reduces the signs of ageing to restore a more youthful, natural appearance.
Read more about : How long does fat transfer to the face last?
Aesthetic indications for undergoing lipofilling include sunken cheeks, the disappearance of fat from the cheekbones, deep grooves running from the nose to the corners of the mouth, and in some instances of lines between the lower eyelids and the cheek. It is also one of the most common methods used for lip enhancement. In addition, lipofilling can be used to smooth out all types of irregularities such as those resulting from poorly performed liposuction or injuries.
The necessary fat is obtained by a limited liposculpture through one or several 3 to 5 mm incisions. It is normally taken from the abdomen or inner thigh. The aspirated fat is processed by centrifuging, filtering or rinsing. Pure liquid fatty tissue ready for injection is the result.
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The fat is then injected where needed. The fat is evenly distributed into the area by injecting minute amounts in the tissues so that the injected fat is well surrounded by healthy tissue.
Whatever your personal reasons, our highly skilled Plastic surgeons at Iranian surgery are pioneers in techniques for fat transfer and will provide world-class facilities for your individual treatment. Our expert team is acutely aware that your appearance can affect your confidence and everyday happiness, and as such we handle each case with sensitivity and discretion. You can rest assured your treatment, performed at our Iranian surgery, will deliver the results you desire.
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Are You a Candidate?
To be a candidate for fat transfer procedures, you must have sufficient fat in one area of the body to use for facial enhancement. This donated fat usually comes from larger areas of the body, like the abdomen, thighs or buttocks. The added benefit of facial rejuvenation by this method is that you enjoy sculpting in other problem areas where isolated areas of fat have not responded to diet and exercise.
Facial rejuvenation by fat transfer can mitigate the following concerns:
- Facial areas that have become sunken or hollow
- Shallow scarring and fine lines
- Bags or dark circles under the eyes
- Wrinkles around the forehead, nose or mouth
- Asymmetries or imperfections that throw your facial features out of balance
- Signs of aging that have made you self-conscious about your appearance
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Before Your Fat Transfer
Your initial consultation is the time to determine whether you have sufficient fat to use for the transfer process and if the fat injections will provide you with the results you want. Through an evaluation of your current health state and medical history, he will be able to tell you whether fat removal will be safe for you. He will also discuss the procedure and your outcome with you in detail, so you know exactly what to expect from both your treatment and your results.
The procedure
There are three basic steps in the fat transfer process:
- Fat removal using one of the liposuction techniques listed above
- Purification of the harvested fat and preparing it for injection
- Injection of the fat cells into the areas of the face in need of enhancement
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All three steps are done in a single appointment in our office. After liposculpture, you will be able to rest comfortably while the fat cells are prepared for your injections. Injections are not painful and can be completed in just a few minutes in many cases. You will be able to go home after your injections are finished.
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The Recovery Process
Recovery from fat transfer revolves around the fat removal process. Fat transfer recovery time varies from patient to patient, but most people should arrange to take at least 7-10 days off from work and other social activities. Initial healing takes a few weeks, after which the swelling will gradually subside before the final results are apparent. You may experience some mild bruising and swelling in this area, as well as minor discomfort that can be managed with oral pain medication. Most patients can return to work and other activities within one week after liposuction using the techniques. Both fat removal and fat transfer offer permanent results as long as you maintain a healthy weight after your procedure.
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What to do if you have problems
Cosmetic surgery can sometimes go wrong and the results may not be what you expected.
If you are not happy with the results, or think the procedure wasn’t carried out properly, you should take up the matter with your surgeon through the hospital or clinic where you were treated.
If you notice any problems during your recovery, such as signs of a possible infection (increasing swelling, redness or pain), go back to the surgeon who treated you.
Side effects to expect
It’s common after a surgical fat transfer to have:
- significant bruising and swelling
- temporary numbness
- small scars – these will fade, but won’t completely disappear
- loss of some of the fat from the injected area during the first few months
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What could go wrong
A surgical fat transfer is generally a safe procedure, but it can occasionally result in:
- a collection of blood underneath the skin (haematoma)
- death of fat tissue (fat necrosis)
- a blockage in a blood vessel caused by a piece of fat (fat embolism)
- air leaking into the space between your lungs and chest wall (pneumothorax)
- thick, obvious scars – sometimes known as hypertrophic scars
Any operation also carries a small risk of:
- excessive bleeding
- developing a blood clot in a vein
- infection
- an allergic reaction to the anaesthetic
The surgeon should explain how likely these risks and complications are, and how they would be treated if they occurred.
Occasionally, people find the desired effect wasn’t achieved and feel they need another operation.
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Do fat transfers last?
The grafted fat then has to redevelop a blood supply in order to survive. About 50% of the fat injected will survive, and the surviving fat will last forever.
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How much fat do you need to do a fat transfer?
Once the liposuction procedure is complete, the face will be prepped for the fat grafting. Usually, 10-15 cc’s of fat will be injected into each cheek however placement and amount will depend on the individual.