Facial fat transfer is a revolution in cosmetic enhancements, allowing you to use your own fat to restore volume and smooth wrinkles. But here’s the secret: it’s not just a one-and-done procedure. It’s the missing piece that integrates with other treatments, especially when part of a comprehensive plan including a facelift.
At Gold Coast Plastic Surgery, we don’t just offer facial fat transfer as a standalone procedure. We integrate it into a comprehensive treatment plan because we know that’s how to achieve the most cohesive results. We believe in the individuality of each face—there’s no one-size-fits-all here. By customising your treatment to your unique facial structure and goals, we can achieve a more personalised outcome.
Are you curious about how this tailored approach can help? Let’s dive deeper.
What is Facial Fat Transfer?
Facial fat transfer, also known as facial fat grafting or fat injection, is a cosmetic procedure that involves taking fat from one part of the body through liposuction and then purifying it. Afterwards, the fat is injected into areas of the face to add volume, fill in wrinkles or hollow areas, and adjust facial contours.
Face fat transfer is often used to restore lost volume due to ageing or weight loss. It can be used to plump cheeks, smooth out lines, and improve overall skin health. It’s considered a reliable way to achieve a more refreshed look by using your own fat cells, reducing the risk of allergic reactions or rejection.
Facial fat transfer is often combined with other cosmetic procedures like facelifts or eyelid surgery to achieve more comprehensive and lasting results. The procedure is highly customisable, allowing Dr Doyle to tailor the treatment to the specific needs and desired outcomes of each patient.
How Does Facial Fat Transfer Work?
Facial fat transfer involves a multi-step process:
- Extraction: The procedure begins with the extraction of fat from an area on your body, often areas like the abdomen, thighs, or buttocks. The fat cells are collected through liposuction.
- Purification: The fat is processed to separate impurities, excess fluids, and damaged cells. This step ensures that only healthy fat cells are used.
- Injection: The purified fat is injected into areas of the face that require more volume. Dr Doyle deposits tiny amounts of fat in multiple layers, this technique promotes a long-lasting result.
- Integration: Over time, the transferred fat integrates into the surrounding tissues, establishing a blood supply and becoming a permanent part of the area.
Benefits of Facial Fat Transfer
Facial Fat Transfer Before and After
Natural Solution
Facial fat transfer uses your body’s tissue so it is less likely to get rejected and can blend cohesively.
Long-Lasting Effects
Facial fat transfer tends to last longer than other treatments due to the permanence of the transferred fat. Unlike temporary fillers, this method integrates with your tissue, providing lasting results.
Improved Skin Texture
Able to restore volume and also enhance skin quality. The transferred fat contains stem cells and growth factors that can improve skin texture and stimulate collagen production.
Customised Results
Facial fat transfer offers tailored enhancements. With this treatment, Dr Doyle can strategically place fat according to your personal features and desired outcomes. The procedure enables customisation to address specific areas such as cheeks or jawline.
Combining Facial Fat Transfer with a Facelift
Dr Doyle always combines facial fat transfer with a facelift and neck lift procedure to maximise results. This combination approach can result in a more harmonious appearance.
Enhanced Results
Combining facial fat transfer with a facelift may amplify the benefits of both procedures. The facelift has the ability to address sagging skin and muscle laxity, meanwhile, the fat transfer can add volume and fill hollow areas.
Combining procedures can address the signs of ageing more comprehensively by addressing both volume loss and skin laxity together this may result in a more balanced outcome. The combined results are expected to last longer compared to a facelift alone.
Recovery and Aftercare
The recovery period for a facelift and a facial fat graft can vary based on several factors, including the extent of the procedure, individual healing rates, and post-operative care. Generally, you can expect a full recovery around 6 weeks post-op. 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
Fat transfer to face can address various areas of your face, offering personally tailored treatment. Let’s explore the specific areas where fat injections in face can be used.
Under the Eyes
Under eye fat transfer may reduce the appearance of dark circles, hollows, and eye bags. Following the fat transfer under eyes procedure many patients report a more rested appearance.
Cheeks
Fat transfer to cheeks can restore volume to the cheeks. In some cases, the cheek fat transfer may help the cheeks appear higher or more lifted.
Lips
Fat transfer to lips can increase lip volume and modify their shape and can be used strategically to treat asymmetry.
Tailoring Facial Fat Grafting to Your Needs
Targeted Problem Solving
Customising facial fat grafting allows you to treat specific areas of your face.
Addressing Your Unique Concerns
Face fat grafting can be used on specific facial areas. Whether it’s the under-eye area, cheeks, or jawline, facial fat grafting offers customised options.
Achieving Subtle Enhancements
Many patient’s goals are to achieve noticeable changes while keeping them discreet and not over done.
In-Depth Consultation
During a consultation with Dr Doyle, your concerns and desired outcomes will be thoroughly discussed. He will create a plan personalised for your unique facial structure and aesthetic goals. Dr Doyle’s expertise in understanding individual needs means he will recommend a comprehensive approach to facial fat grafting, providing results tailored specifically for you. After your consultation, we’ll be able to provide you with a price for your customised plan including the facial fat transfer cost.
FAQs
Is facial fat transfer a permanent solution?
Facial fat transfer provides long-lasting results, with a significant portion of the transferred fat typically surviving permanently. However, it’s important to note that while the initial volume remains, some resorption can occur in the months following the procedure.
The successfully integrated fat cells become a natural part of your facial tissue permanently. Results vary, but many individuals enjoy long-term benefits from facial fat transfer.
What is the difference between facial fat transfer and dermal fillers?
Facial fat transfer involves using your own fat providing a long-lasting solution. Conversely, dermal fillers consist of synthetic or naturally derived substances, offering immediate but temporary volume results.
This surgical procedure requires liposuction and fat injections, dermal fillers 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 under-eye bags or puffiness?
Tear trough fat transfer can improve the appearance of under-eye bags 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 under-eye bags 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 restoring volume and reducing the appearance of hollows, but for severe under-eye bags or significant puffiness, a comprehensive evaluation by Dr Doyle is necessary to determine the most appropriate and effective treatment plan.
Contact Us
Are you interested in exploring facial fat grafting? 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 achieve your desired aesthetic results.
About Dr Mark Doyle FRACS (Plast) – 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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