Fat Grafting or Fat Transfer is the transfer of fat cells from one part of the body (the donor area) to another part (the recipient site). And in the case of Facial Fat Grafting, the harvested fat cells are injected into different areas of the face to restore volume and reverse aging signs. This procedure is stable, autologous, and becomes part of the normal tissue composition at the recipient site. Additionally, fat grafts can rejuvenate the tissues into which they are injected.
You are a good candidate for facial fat grafting if:
- You are older than 30 years old
- Signs of aging started to appear. The physiology of natural aging includes atrophy or loss of facial volume
- You have sagging skin and shrinking of tissue as well
Consultation
It’s very important to understand all aspects of your facial implant surgery. It’s natural to feel some anxiety, whether it’s excitement for your anticipated new look or a bit of preoperative stress. Don’t be shy about discussing these feelings with your plastic surgeon:
- Your surgical goals
- Medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments
- Current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drug use
- Previous surgeries
Procedure
Facial Fat Grafting is a minimally invasive procedure, because only a small amount of fat is harvested typically through liposuction, cleaned, and strategically re-injected beneath the skin to restore volume, enhance natural beauty and improve the quality of the skin by the Steam-cell. The biggest advantage of any fat grafting procedure is that it comes without any risk of an allergic reaction or rejection by your body since your own fat is being used.
Prior to the surgery, each patient is screened to ensure that it is safe to proceed with the surgery. This includes a pre-anaesthetic consultation, blood testing and to ensure the patient is a fit candidate for the procedure.
Note: Harvesting of fat cells from the donor site is done through liposuction.
Preparation of Nano and Micro Fat
The fat cells are collected in specialised systems that filter the cells then separate the living cells from the non-viable lipids and adipocytes. This is done so as to only inject viable fat tissue that will not only be reabsorbed but will maximize volume preservation.
It is very important that the patient has sufficient fat on their body to act as the donor site for the procedure. Although the procedure is permanent there is most likely some reabsorption of fat grafts back into the body, which could possibly require that a repeat procedure be done after a while in order to get the optimal results.
Sometimes some of the injected fat does not ‘take’ or establish a blood supply or survive the transfer process. The surgeon tackles this issue by slightly overfilling an area so as to achieve the desired volume.
What To Expect From A Facial Fat Grafting Procedure
Facial Fat Grafting has several benefits including:
- Improving the quality of the skin by the stemcells in the nanofat
- Restoring natural, youthful volume as well as eradicating creases without manufactured fillers
- No need for frequent touch-ups as the results are permanent
- The treated area feels completely natural and normal
- There is no risk of rejection or an allergic reaction
Facial Fat Grafting Risks
Is it safe?
Fat transfer risks are far and few. Fat tissue is non-allergenic as it is sourced from the patient’s own body, so the chances of your body rejecting the material are practically impossible. However, some possible complications with fat grafting include:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Soreness
- Potential allergic reaction to anaesthesia.
Is facial fat grafting painful?
Fat transfer is not a painful procedure. You will be under the influence of aesthetic or fully sedated during the procedure and will not feel anything. Afterwards, you will be given paracetamol to manage any mild discomfort you may experience.
Immediately following the procedure, the patient can expect to have bruising and swelling in the areas used to harvest the fat cells. Pain can be managed with medication. which also helps to avoid constipation.
Recovery
After the procedure, it is important for the patient to minimize pressure to the grafted areas as well as keeping the face warm by avoiding cool conditions for at least a week. The donor and recipient site are usually swollen for at least one to two weeks after the procedure. Changes in the volume begin to appear about one months after the procedure.
Facial fat grafting results
You should be prepared for the results to look somewhat exaggerated for up to two or three months following the procedure. This is due to the surgeon needing to inject more fat than is required during the procedure to account for an average of 20 to 30 percent of the transplanted fat cells not surviving; these will be absorbed and naturally excreted by the body over a period of a few months.
The final result will be assessed by the surgeon after three months. A second session may be required for optimal results.
Facial fat transfers can last for several years; in many cases, results can be permanent. Keep in mind, however, that facial fat transfers do not protect against future aging. While a facial fat transfer can minimize current aging symptoms, patients should expect to see results slightly diminish over time.
Things to keep in mind
Don’t consider fat grafting as the filler injection. Unlike other filler procedures that require no special care or downtime afterwards, fat grafting is more of a cosmetic surgery procedure that requires adequate and planned recovery time.
