Fat Grafting
There are several procedures that refresh the contours and fullness of your face, autologous fat transfer to the face is rising in popularity since it provides natural improvements and lasting benefits. Loss of volume, frequently due to aging, tends to be more prominent around the eyes, jawlines, and cheeks. Autologous fat transfer to the face may be used to decrease the most common signs of aging, and it increases volume by smoothing fine lines, wrinkles, and folds on your face using your own transferred fat. By liposuctioning extra fat from your body, Dr. Michele Sasmor can carefully place the washed and concentrated fat into the needed sections of your face for beautiful, long-lasting results. With an autologous fat transfer to the face, you not only get a refreshed facial appearance, but you also obtain smoother body curves. To get more information about autologous fat transfer to the face, contact RiverSong Plastic Surgery in Newburyport, MA to arrange an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Sasmor.
FAT GRAFTING SURGERY
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Facial fat grafting is good if you want to add natural-looking volume to specific areas of your face. A facial fat transfer can fill in wrinkles, like laugh lines, Crow's feet, and smile lines. Transferred fat can also minimize the appearance of pitted areas and scars. You can also add volume to cheeks and other facial areas for a more youthful appearance. If you like the results of a dermal filler, like Juvéderm or Restylane, a fat transfer is a good treatment if you want your results to last for much longer. To be a candidate for a fat grafting, you should have enough excess fat to meet your goals.
Surgical Technique
Facial fat transfer is a two-part process that includes (1) harvesting the fat and (2)placement. Since such a small amount of fat is required, Dr. Sasmor typically uses local or twilight anesthesia. To begin, Dr. Sasmor will perform liposuction to remove fat, which will probably come from your hips, flanks, or abdomen. As soon as the fat is harvested, it can be purified and then prepared for injection. Dr. Sasmor will use different injections angles and techniques to ensure ideal placement into your subcutaneous tissue under the skin to create volume and symmetry. Based on your treatment plan, fat may be transferred to many facial areas including, cheeks, upper brow area, and/or beneath your eyes to add volume, as well as to correct fine lines, wrinkles, and facial depressions.
What to Expect
After your facial fat transfer, your incisions will be cleaned and dressed with antibiotic ointment before you are sent to a recovery area. Dr. Sasmor or a member of her team will apply dressings, compression garments to the donor sites, and monitor you until you can be sent home with a family member or friend. Before your surgery, Dr. Sasmor will tell you what to expect after the procedure and how you can heal faster. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled at RiverSong Plastic Surgery so Dr. Sasmor can evaluate your recovery and progress. Your recovery will vary based on how much fat was removed and transferred, but you should plan to take at least a week to rest and heal. Right away, you may feel sore with bruising and swelling in the liposuction site(s) and the transfer site(s). You will notice improvements right away in your face, but it will take several weeks before you can see your final results. A small amount of fat may be reabsorbed by your body, but with appropriate care, your results should last for many years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does facial fat grafting cost?
Your cost for a facial fat graft will include liposuction and will vary based on how much volume is being added. After a thorough assessment, Dr. Sasmor will determine how much fat is needed to create the desired volume and will prepare a custom plan. Then, she can begin to estimate costs, like facility and anesthesia fees. To help make your treatment easier to afford, RiverSong Plastic Surgery accepts many payment methods, including low-interest financing.
Should I get a dermal filler or fat transfer?
Either a facial fat transfer or a dermal filler (like Juvéderm and Restylane) can improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles, as well as add facial volume. While fillers can give you wonderful results, a fat graft to the face lasts longer. To help you decide how much fat you want to be added and where, Dr. Sasmor may suggest starting with dermal fillers. Once you have figured out what you want, Dr. Sasmor can perform a fat graft to your face for results that last years instead of months.
Can facial fat grafting be combined with another procedure?
Facial fat grafting can be combined with a nonsurgical treatment, such as BOTOX (a wrinkle relaxer) or a skin treatment (for example,microneedling). Facial fat grafting has also become a popular treatment to complement a facial surgery. A fat transfer can add volume to improve the proportions of your face, which enhances the surgical results of a facelift, neck lift, or chin augmentation. Talk to Dr. Sasmor during your consultation about your concerns so she can create a plan with surgical and nonsurgical treatments that can help you reach all of your goals.
How long does facial fat grafting take?
The length of time needed for your facial fat graft will vary, depending on how much fat is being removed, as well as the volume needed to attain the desired result. As soon as your plan is created in your consultation, Dr. Sasmor can go over what you should expect, like the time it will take for liposuction, fat preparation, and grafting. Dr. Sasmor takes her time to carefully place thin layers of fat with innovative techniques so your results look beautiful.
Which areas of the face can be improved with fat grafting?
A fat transfer can be used in a number of locations to add volume or reduce wrinkles. Fat grafting is great to enhance the cheeks so that this area appears fuller and lifted without surgery. You may also use a fat transfer to fill the hollow areas under your eyes. Facial fat grafting can also treat scars and wrinkles (brow furrows, marionette lines). Dr. Sasmor will create your unique treatment plan to address all your concerns and aesthetic goals.
Results
Fat transfer procedures are a wonderful way to increase volume, smooth out fine lines, and accentuate your beautiful profile. If you dream about a younger, brighter appearance with little downtime, we urge you to learn more about facial fat grafting at RiverSong Plastic Surgery, and how it can help you achieve your desired appearance. It is an exciting option for individuals wanting a natural alteration and lasting results. Call our Newburyport, MA office at your earliest convenience to schedule your consultation with Dr. Sasmor for this innovative procedure.
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