With facial fat grafting, Scottsdale patients can fill in facial lines and creases, restoring a smoother and more youthful-looking appearance. When transferred fat cells are injected into creased and sunken areas of the face, they restore volume. They can also add fullness to the lips and cheeks.
As we age, our faces begin to show the effects of gravity, sun exposure, and the aging process. As part of this process, our faces naturally gradually lose tissue from the underlying facial fat layer. When the underlying tissues that keep our skin looking youthful and plumped up break down, this results in the formation of midface wrinkles like laugh lines and smile lines. These can be corrected with a facial fat transfer.
A facial fat transfer may be used alone or in conjunction with a resurfacing procedure, such as a laser treatment, or a recontouring procedure, such as a facelift.
Knowing Your Options
Transferred fat is primarily used to improve the appearance of the skin’s texture. It can help fill out deep facial wrinkles, creases and furrows, “sunken” cheeks, skin depressions, and some types of scars. It can also be used to add a fuller, more sensuous look to the lips.
A facial fat transfer is not always sufficient for severe surface wrinkles on the face, such as multiple vertical “lipstick lines” that sometimes form around the mouth. Instead, Dr. Lille may suggest a resurfacing technique, such as a laser treatment. Rather than filling in facial lines, resurfacing methods strip away the outer layers of the skin to produce a smoother appearance.
Deep folds in the face or brow caused by overactive muscles or by loose skin may be more effectively treated with cosmetic surgery, such as a facelift or browlift. Facial fat grafting is sometimes used in conjunction with facial surgery procedures; however, a facial fat transfer alone cannot change facial contour the way surgery can.
Keep in mind that Dr. Lille in Scottsdale is a specialist and can offer you the full range of the most advanced treatments ranging from cosmetic surgery to injectables to refinishing techniques like laser therapy. You and your surgeon may determine that a single procedure or a combination of procedures is the best choice for you.
Testimonials
“ I have had a previous surgery with this physician. I respect him and his knowledge. I am comfortable with him and his staff. I was highly satisfied with the whole process of my first surgery and I am again with the consultation process for my upcoming surgery.”
The Facial Fat Grafting Procedure
After both the donor and recipient sites are cleansed and treated with local anesthesia, the fat is withdrawn using a syringe with a large-bore needle or a cannula (the same instrument used in liposuction) attached to a suction device. The fat is then prepared and injected into the recipient site with a needle. Sometimes an adhesive bandage is applied over the injection site.
“Overfilling” is necessary to allow for fat absorption in the weeks following treatment. When fat is used to fill sunken cheeks or to correct areas on the face other than lines, this overcorrection of the newly injected fat may temporarily make the face appear abnormally puffed out or swollen.
After Treatment
It is important to minimize talking and facial movements for 5 days. You can expect some swelling, bruising, or redness in both the donor and recipient sites. The swelling and puffiness in the recipient site may last several weeks, especially if a large area was filled.
Before & After Patient Photos
Facial Fat Grafting Q&A
Q: What is fat grafting?
Q: How is this performed?
Q: How long does the fat last?
Q: What happens if I have a higher amount of fat graft absorption following the procedure?
Q: Does one area of the body from where the fat is taken have higher survivability than other areas?
Q: Where can the fat be placed on the face?
Q: Is there one area that Dr. Lille does not like to graft on the face?
Q: How big are the incisions for fat grafting?
Q: Does Dr. Lille use fat to graft in other areas of the body?
Q: What is the recovery from fat grafting to the face?
A: Fat grafting to the face is a quick recovery. There can be, however, bruising that can last up to a week, with noticeable generalized swelling to the face that can potentially last up to two weeks. Returning to a desk job can be as early as five to seven days; however, if extensive fat grafting to the face is performed, patients may want to extend their leave to ten days to minimize the noticeability. Physical activity can resume in ten days.The final result is usually obtained within two to three months and any fat that has not survived will be complete at that stage.
Q: What do I need to do to prepare for the surgery?
Q: What is the process if I want to schedule surgery after the initial consult?
Q: Is smoking harmful for fat-grafting surgeries?
Q: What types of anesthesia are available?
Q: How much does breast augmentation cost?
Facial Fat Grafting Cost
There are many factors that impact the cost of a facial fat transfer procedure. The number of donor regions, the amount of fat being transferred, the techniques being used, the anesthesia, and the total surgery time all affect the overall price of facial fat grafting in Scottsdale.
Schedule a Consultation
Contact our office today to schedule a consultation for your Facial Fat Grafting in Scottsdale. Dr. Sean Lille is a board-certified plastic surgeon who can use his surgical skill and eye for facial aesthetics to ensure your chin surgery results look beautiful and natural.