What is a Fat Transfer?
Fat transfer, also referred to as fat grafting, is an advanced technique Dr. Lieberman, Dr. Parikh, and Dr. Curti use to add and restore facial volume. Fat transfer starts by harvesting fat cells from one area of the body using liposuction, processing the fat, and finally injecting it into areas of the face where volume loss is noticeable.
By adding volume to the face, the curvature of the face will become more pronounced and allow more light to be reflected. Adding fat back into the face will also even out skin tone and make the overall face appear more radiant.
Fat transfer is an effective procedure that requires a deep understanding of the underlying facial structures, as well as the principles of facial beauty. Only a handful of surgeons who specialize in facial reconstruction, such as Drs. Lieberman, Parikh, and Curti, are able to perform a fat transfer that achieves natural-looking results.
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What to Expect During the Procedure
Performed under general anesthesia, fat transfer involves harvesting a small number of fat cells from the abdomen or inner thigh area and purifying these cells through a specialized Puregraft System to remove impurities from the nutrient-rich products. Since only a tiny amount of fat is removed from the donor area, fat grafting is not a procedure that can be used in place of CoolSculpting® or liposuction.
After harvesting the fat cells, our surgeons use blunt cannulas to inject the fat as little droplets into the necessary areas of the face–generally the jawline, under the eyes, and on the cheeks. Grafted fat has a much higher blood supply which helps the tissue survive in the new area, and the overall results are more refined.
Why L&P For a Fat Transfer?
As we age, we lose volume in the face because of skeletal changes – our cheekbones and maxilla get smaller – and tissues changes – areas that once created heart-shaped contours begin to look gaunt. During your comprehensive aging face consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your face in thirds and its relative proportion to the golden ratio of beauty.
If the volume loss is relatively minor, our surgeons or our cosmetic nurse injectors will address this minor volume loss with dermal fillers such as Juvéderm®, Juvéderm XC®, Voluma®, Restylane®, Radiesse®, and Sculptra®. But if volume loss is substantial, especially in the older population, or if a patient desires a longer-lasting solution than dermal fillers, fat transfer is a more effective rejuvenation option.
An additional benefit of having surgery with L&P Aesthetics is access to The iO Clinic’s Surgical Recovery Package designed by Drs. Lieberman, Parikh, and Curti. This post-operative recovery protocol enhances your overall recovery, speeds up the recovery timeframe and improves your long-term results.
Fat Transfer Before and After Gallery
View real results from real patients below.
Recovery and Beyond
For 1 to 2 weeks after a fat transfer, you can expect to have some bruising and swelling in both the incision areas and transfer area and should plan on taking at least one week off from your regular activities. Some redness and irritation make also occur in the transfer area as the additional volume becomes incorporated into your body. Please stay out of the sun as much as possible and always cover the area with a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen.
We will send you home with a compression garment to wear over the harvest area for 1 to 2 weeks, and during that time you should avoid soaking the area in water. In time, most patients see a noticeable difference in their facial contours and love the results of a fat transfer with our surgeons.
Facelift FAQs
These are common areas where fat transfer is often utilized for facial rejuvenation:
- Marionette lines – frown lines
- Temples – crow’s feet
- Tear troughs
- Malar areas – cheeks
- Nasolabial folds – smile lines
- Jawline
- Acne scars and facial creases
Our facial plastic surgeons often perform fat transfer in conjunction with other procedures such as a facelift, the L&P Lift, blepharoplasty and brow lift to enhance the overall results.
A facelift alone will lift the skin but additional volume is often needed to restore the natural curvature of one’s face. Performing fat grafting during another operation not only produces more balanced results but is also more convenient for the patient than undergoing a separate procedure.
