Overview
A fat injection to the face is a form of fat grafting, where the patient’s own fat is harvested from one or more parts of the body to be injected into the face. The goal of this surgery is to increase volume in order to provide contour to areas that have become hollow or sunken. This aged and dull appearance can be caused by significant weight loss, aging, genetics, and/or gravity. Regardless of the reason, Inland Empire board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Childers, will determine the area of the body with abundant fat and cleanse it with a special filtering process. He will then inject this fat into the face, such as the cheeks or lips. As a result, the injected area will be plumper, healthier looking, and more contoured.
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Surgical Technique
During the consultation, your doctor will create a unique treatment plan to achieve the best results that meet each patient’s needs. During surgery, the doctor removes fat by liposuction from selected areas of the body, processes the fat, and then injects the purified donor fat cells into the areas of the face. The procedure is designed to augment the mid-face or cheek bones so that it appears lifted and fuller. Doctors use the most innovative techniques in handling fat graft. They injects small amounts of purified fat into different areas of the face at various depths to obtain the highest permanent absorption rate.
During the Surgery
Facial fat grafting with liposuction is performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. The amount of time needed for liposuction and facial fat grafting will vary according to several factors, including the amount of fat being removed, the technique used, and the size of the area being treated. The fat is placed into the face through small imperceptible incisions, which results in minimal scarring. The procedure can be performed with other procedures, such as a facelift, necklift, or blepharoplasty. Common areas for donor fat include the abdomen, hips and flanks.
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How Long Will It Take?
The procedure time will vary, depending on how many areas are being treated as well as the volume of fat being removed and injected. Facial fat grafting alone usually takes one hour.
What Type of Anestesia?
Depending on the patient’s health and anxiety tolerance, facial fat grafting may be performed under local anesthesia and sedation. When combined with other procedures, it is often performed as an outpatient setting in a surgery under general anesthesia.
Combination Surgery?
Facial fat grafting is often combined with other facial procedures such as a facelift, necklift, blepharoplasty, or browlift. There is a limit to how many procedures can be done safely as it relates to surgical recovery, and the amount of time the surgery takes.
Return to Work?
Each patient’s recovery time is different, and depends on how many procedures are performed at the same time. The average return to work for facial fat grafting alone is less than a week.
