Facial fat transfer, also known as facial fat grafting, is a surgical used to add more volume to your face. It uses your body’s own fat to increase facial volume. When combined with procedures like a facelift, it can offer more extensive results. In this blog, we’ll explore the details of facial fat transfer and the benefits of using a combination approach.
Please note: This procedure is performed as an add-on only, not on it’s own. It is done as part of a facelift package.
What is Facial Fat Transfer?
Facial fat transfer is a cosmetic procedure that involves harvesting fat from one part of your body and injecting it into specific areas of your face to increase volume. The process begins with liposuction to remove fat from areas such as the abdomen or thighs. The harvested fat is then purified and carefully injected into targeted facial regions. This technique utilises your own fat cells, promoting integration with your facial tissues.
How Does Facial Fat Transfer Work?
1. Fat Harvesting
Face fat grafting is a multi-step procedure that involves careful planning and precision. Here’s a detailed look at how the process works:
The first step in facial fat transfer is fat harvesting. This involves removing fat from a donor area of your body, typically the abdomen, thighs, or flanks. The procedure is performed using liposuction, a technique that removes the fat cells through a thin tube called a cannula. The goal is to harvest fat with minimal damage to the cells, ensuring their viability for the next steps.
Anaesthesia: To ensure comfort during the procedure, anaesthesia is administered. Depending on the extent of the fat transfer and the patient’s preference, local anesthesia or general anaesthesia may be used. Anaesthesia allows the surgeon to work with precision without causing discomfort to the patient.
Cannula: A cannula is a specialised tool that plays a vital role in both harvesting and injecting fat. It is a thin, hollow tube designed to reduce tissue trauma and maximise the viability of harvested fat cells. During liposuction, the cannula gently removes fat from the donor area.
2. Processing
Once the fat is harvested, it undergoes a purification process. This step is crucial as it separates the healthy fat cells from other components such as blood, oil, and fluids. The fat is typically processed using centrifugation, which spins the fat at high speeds to isolate the most viable cells. This purified fat, rich in healthy fat cells, is then prepared for injection.
Purification System: The purification system is essential for preparing the harvested fat for transfer. Typically involving centrifugation, this system isolates healthy fat cells by spinning the harvested material at high speeds. This process ensures that only the most viable fat cells, free from impurities, are used for injection. Using purified fat cells enhances the success rate of the grafting process and contributes to the longevity and appearance of the results.
3. Injection
The final step is the injection of the purified fat into the targeted areas of the face. This process requires a high level of precision. Using small syringes and a fine cannula, the surgeon carefully injects the fat into specific facial regions where you desire more volume. The fat is layered in small amounts to encourage a smooth integration with the existing facial tissues.
By understanding each step and the key components involved, it becomes clear why fat transfer to face is a highly effective method.
Benefits of Facial Fat Transfer
- Results Fat transfer to face uses your own body fat, aiming to create results that blend well with your features.
- Longevity Unlike temporary solutions face fat transfer offers lasting improvements. Once the transferred fat settles into its new location, it generally becomes permanent, increasing facial volume in the long run.
- Promotes Improved Skin Texture Facial fat graft not only shapes facial features but also aims to improve skin texture and elasticity. The fat transfer procedure injects growth factors and may support your skin’s appearance.
- Customised Results Customisation is key with facial fat transfer, allowing for precise adjustments to address specific areas of concern. Whether it’s fat transfer to cheeks for adding volume to the cheeks or adding volume to under-eye hollows by under eye fat grafting, each enhancement is tailored to meet your individual needs.
Facial Fat Transfer Before and After
Combining Facial Fat Transfer with a Facelift
Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Mark Doyle combines facial fat grafting with a facelift to maximise results. While the facelift addresses skin laxity and muscle structure, fat transfer increases volume, resulting in extensive facial changes.
Recovery and Aftercare
Following the procedure, proper post-operative care is essential for optimal results. Patients are advised to adhere to Dr Doyle’s guidelines, including adequate rest, avoidance of strenuous activities, and diligent skincare. While temporary swelling and bruising may occur, they will gradually diminish, revealing the full extent of your appearance. Here are a few tips for your recovery period:
- Follow Instructions: Stick to the surgeon’s instructions for wound care, medication, and activity limits.
- Take Some Rest and Manage Swelling: Make sure to get plenty of rest and use cold compresses to reduce any swelling.
- Wound Care: Keep those incisions clean and protect them from the sun.
- Limit Activity: Avoid any heavy lifting or strenuous activities after facial fat transfer.
- Attend Follow-Ups: Ensure you attend all your appointments for check-ups.
- Hydration and Nutrition: Remember to stay hydrated and maintain a healthy diet.
- Skincare: Use gentle skincare products as recommended.
Target Areas for Fat Transfer to Face
Facial fat transfer is a versatile procedure that can address various areas of the face. Let’s explore specific areas where fat transfer can be used:
Under the Eyes
Under eye fat transfer serves the purpose of reducing the appearance of dark circles or hollows, aiming to add volume to the eye area. By delicately adding volume and structural support to the under eye region, fat transfer can help address visible signs of ageing.
Cheeks
Cheek fat transfer serves the purpose of increasing volume, fullness and lifting cheeks. By increasing volume in the cheeks, fat transfer may create a more lifted appearance.
Lips
Fat transfer to lips increases lip volume, providing a fuller and more defined appearance to the lips while addressing gaps or asymmetry. This may result in lips that appear fuller.
Tailoring Facial Fat Grafting to Your Needs
Targeted Problem Solving
Facial fat grafting allows for precision in addressing specific facial concerns, ensuring that each area receives the attention it needs. Whether it’s reducing under-eye hollows with fat transfer under eyes, increasing cheek volume with fat transfer to cheeks, or addressing forehead wrinkles, this procedure can target many areas.
Addressing Your Unique Concerns
Fat transfer to face offers personalised solutions for a variety of facial concerns, catering to the specific needs of each patient. Face fat grafting can be customised to address your individual cosmetic goals like reducing under eye hollows, reducing lost volume in the cheeks, or reducing facial lines. Dr Doyle recognises the uniqueness of every patient and takes the time to listen attentively to your concerns, ensuring the development of a treatment plan tailored precisely to your needs.
Achieving Subtle Changes
One of the key benefits of facial fat grafting is its ability to produce subtle enhancements that improve your overall appearance. Whether you desire fuller cheeks, smoother skin, or more defined facial features, face fat grafting can help.
In-Depth Consultation
You can discuss your specific concerns during your consultation with Dr Doyle. He will explain the face fat grafting process and answer any questions you may have, so you can feel confident and informed about your decision. Dr Doyle’s personalised approach to consultation ensures that you receive the individualised care and attention you deserve.
FAQs
What is the difference between facial fat transfer and non-surigcal volumisers?
Facial fat transfer involves using your own fat and non-surigcal volumisers consist of hyaluronic acid offering immediate but temporary volume results.
This procedure requires liposuction and fat injections, volume enhancers are non-surgical and provide more immediate results without surgery. The choice often depends on factors like longevity, invasiveness, and the extent of volume loss.
Can tear trough fat transfer correct severe excess under eye skin?
Tear trough fat transfer can improve the appearance of excess under eye skin and puffiness to some extent. Using a fat graft under eyes can address hollows and create a smoother transition between the lower eyelid and cheek. However, it’s essential to manage expectations of fat injections under eyes, especially in cases of severe loose under eye skin or puffiness.
Herniated fat or significant tissue laxity can cause more severe cases. In this case, fat grafting under eyes alone may not fully address the issue. In such cases, alternative procedures like lower blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) might be more suitable to directly address excess fat or skin.
Under eye fat grafting can be effective for increasing volume and reducing the appearance of hollows, but for severe under-eyes, a comprehensive evaluation by Dr Doyle is necessary to determine the most appropriate and effective treatment plan.
Contact Us
Dr Doyle and our team at Gold Coast Plastic Surgery are happy to discuss the treatment with you further. Schedule a consultation today to learn more about how we can help you.
About Dr Mark Doyle FRACS (Plas) – Queensland Plastic Surgeon
Servicing patients in Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Cairns and New South Wales NSW – Northern Rivers, Byron Bay, Ballina, Lismore and more.
Dr Mark Doyle is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon with over thirty years of experience performing Breast, Body, Face and Nose surgery. Dr Doyle is a fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon with 30+ years of experience. He has completed all required training and only carries out approved surgical practices. There are absolutely NO undertrained doctors or cosmetic doctors acting as surgeons in our clinic.
As a highly esteemed plastic surgeon, Dr Mark is committed to achieving the best possible results for all his breast, body, face and nose patients, both men and women.
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