Facial Fat Transfer: Enhanced Results with Combination

Facial fat transfer, also known as facial fat grafting, is an innovative procedure in the field of cosmetic enhancements. It uses your body’s own fat to restore and improve facial volume and contours. When combined with procedures like a facelift, it can offer more comprehensive results. In this blog, we’ll explore the details of facial fat transfer and the advantages of using a combination approach.

Interested in learning more about this personalised technique? Keep reading to discover the benefits and what you can expect from this advanced procedure.

Please note: This procedure is performed as an add-on only. It is done as part of a comprehensive 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 restore volume and contour. 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 an organic integration with your facial tissues, which leads to smooth and consistent results.

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, where there is an adequate amount of fat. The procedure is performed using liposuction, a technique that gently suctions out 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 (numbing only the donor and injection sites) or general anaesthesia (rendering the patient unconscious) may be used. Anaesthesia not only makes the procedure pain-free but also 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 minimise 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 meticulous injection of the purified fat into the targeted areas of the face. This process requires a high level of precision and artistry. Using small syringes and a fine cannula, the surgeon carefully injects the fat into specific facial regions requiring volume enhancement, contour refinement, or targeted enhancement. The fat is layered in small amounts to achieve a smooth integration with the existing facial tissues, ensuring optimal adaptation and survival in its new location.

By understanding each step and the key components involved, it becomes clear why fat transfer to face is a highly effective method for achieving refined, reshaped facial contours.

Benefits of Facial Fat Transfer

• Refined Results Fat transfer to face offers polished results, seamlessly integrating with your facial features for a harmonious appearance. Utilising your body’s own fat ensures an enhancement that complements your unique facial contours.
• Enduring Impact Unlike temporary solutions, face fat transfer offers enduring improvements. Once the transferred fat settles into its new location, it generally becomes a permanent fixture, ensuring sustained enhancements in facial volume and contour.
• Improved Skin Texture Facial fat graft not only reshapes and refines facial contours but also enhances skin texture and elasticity. By infusing essential growth factors and stem cells, this procedure supports skin and a healthy appearance. The improved skin texture contributes to a more healthier and radiant complexion, enhancing the overall effect of the fat transfer procedure.
• Customised Results Customization 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 smoothing out 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 restores lost volume, resulting in comprehensive facial enhancements.

The synergy between facial fat transfer and a facelift yields enhanced outcomes, effectively addressing both volume loss and skin laxity. The combined approach ensures a balanced and appearance, promoting overall facial harmony.

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, offering tailored enhancements to your appearance. Let’s explore specific areas where fat transfer can be especially effective:

Under the Eyes

Under eye fat transfer serves the purpose of reducing the appearance of dark circles, hollows, and eye bags, aiming to restore a more look to the eye area. By delicately adding volume and structural support to the under eye region, fat transfer not only addresses visible signs of fatigue and ageing but also enhances facial harmony and symmetry. This personalised approach results in an improved eye contour that appears more lifted, smoother, and enhancing the overall appearance of the face.

Cheeks

Cheek fat transfer serves the purpose of restoring lost volume, contours, and fullness, effectively lifting sagging cheeks and enhancing overall facial balance. By replenishing volume in the cheeks, fat transfer is creating a more lifted appearance. This tailored approach results in enhanced cheek definition and facial profile, contributing to a balanced appearance.

Lips

Fat transfer to lips enhances lip volume and contour, providing a fuller and more defined appearance to the lips while addressing gaps or asymmetry. Achieve fuller lips with improved definition and symmetry, enhancing your overall facial harmony and allure. This results in lips that appear fuller, more shapely, and perfectly balanced, elevating your facial appearance with subtle refinement.

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 correcting under-eye hollows with fat transfer under eyes, restoring cheek volume with fat transfer to cheeks, or smoothing out forehead wrinkles, this procedure can effectively target and resolve various cosmetic issues. By strategically placing fat grafts, Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Doyle can address your unique concerns and achieve optimal results tailored to your facial anatomy.

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, replenishing lost volume in the cheeks, or softening 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 and desires.

Achieving Subtle Enhancements

One of the key benefits of facial fat grafting is its ability to produce subtle enhancements that improve your overall appearance without appearing exaggerated. By redistributing fat, this procedure offers results that enhance your facial contours and proportions in a subtle and balanced manner. Whether you desire fuller cheeks, smoother skin, or more defined facial features, face fat grafting can help you achieve better results.

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, leading to beautiful and satisfying results.

FAQs

What is the difference between facial fat transfer and non-surigcal volume enhancers?

Facial fat transfer involves using your own fat providing the solution. Conversely, non-surigcal volume enhancers consist of synthetic or naturally derived substances, 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 restoring volume and reducing the appearance of hollows, but for severe under eye bags, 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 achieve your desired aesthetic results.

[