Fat Transfer

Purpose

Contouring is performed when there is excessive tissue, usually in the form of fat. Liposuction using standard technique or more current ultrasonic technique is performed to give the face a better-defined structure. On the contrary, certain parts of our face including the temples, cheeks, and lips atrophy with aging giving us a hollowed and aged appearance. In these instances, the hollowed regions can be restored using the patient’s own natural fat. This is a fat grafting procedure is minimally-invasive and is an excellent long-term solution to restore facial harmony.

Fat Grafting Procedure

Depending on which areas of the face or neck are being addressed, small needle-size holes are made to remove or inject fat. Fat can be harvested from the abdomen, thighs, or buttocks depending on patient preference using a pen-size incision. The procedure usually takes 30 min. to 1 hr. These procedures can be performed under local anesthesia or conscious sedation. Together with Dr. Blanks, the appropriate anesthetic plan will be determined.

Recovery

Patients can expect to return to work the same day or within a couple days. If fat transfer/augmentation is performed, a dressing will be placed over these sites to stabilize the positioning of the fat. Some swelling and minimal bruising can occur. Sutures at the fat harvest sites will be removed within 7 days.