“I would like to thank you for changing my life. I give God the credit, but he used your hands and mind to do his work. When I met you, I was 42 years old and not aging very gracefully. I mace in for some restylane and was very happy with the results. You helped make a scar less noticeable and give my face a more youthful appearance….”
Fat transfer
(medically, fat transplantation, also called autologous fat injection or fat grafting) is a medical procedure that uses the patient`s own fat tissue to increase the volume of fat in the selected area of the body. Fat transfer is quickly becoming the cornerstone of facial rejuvenation programs. The main reason for that is that it is extremely effective and the results are permanent.
As we age, the layer of fat under our facial skin begins to thin. This causes the face to look deflated and drawn when compared to the full roundness of a younger face. Especially around the eyes, hollows and contour changes leave the face looking older and more tired. Volume loss is one of the earliest signs of aging. It starts to occur in the mid 30′s and continues to progress. Until recently, this component of facial aging was overlooked. And we are now realizing what a major contribution volume makes to looking younger, healthier and more energetic.
Fat transfer to the Face
A gentle liposuction technique is used to harvest the fat and prepare it for transfer. The fat is then injected into the desired portion of the face. When using a micro injection technique, extremely small parcels of fat are placed into multiple layers of the face. The procedure is most commonly performed under local anesthesia.
The most common facial locations for fat transfer include:
- Filling in sunken areas beneath the eyes
- Filling in the folds known as nasolabial folds which are the deep wrinkles between the nose and the mouth.
- Around the mouth and jaw line
- Cheek Augmentation
It can also be done throughout the entire face giving the entire face a natural rejuvenation.
Fat transfer to the Hand
A wrinkled, bony hand with large veins, sun spots and deep grooves can reveal an advanced age even though the patient’s face, breasts or body have been surgically rejuvenated. Consequently, surgeons have developed techniques to make hands also look younger. We can use dermal fillers like Radiesse and Juvederm but the longest lasting method seems to be fat transfer via injection.
RECOVERY
Following fat graft procedures, you will go home on the same day with a friend or family member. If the fat grafts are performed as an isolated procedure under local anesthesia, Dr. Rosinska suggests taking two or three days before returning to work, however many are able to return to work the following day. When the fat graft procedure is used to correct moderate or substantial lines, folds, or areas of deficiency, or in conjunction with other facial or body contouring procedures, the return to work may range from five to seven days. Swelling is very common after fat transfer, and often resolves after two weeks, however it may take up to 12 weeks for the final results of the fat graft procedure to be evident. Light aerobic activity (elliptical, walking, bicycle) may be resumed as early as four to five days following fat grafts, and more strenuous activity is begun at two to three weeks. Dr. Rosinska will see you often through the first weeks and months following your fat graft, and will advise you on all matters in your recovery.
- AUTOLOGOUS FAT TRANSFER STATS
- Length: 30 minutes to 3 hours
- Back to Work: 1 to 3 days (isolated fat grafts, mild), 7 to 14 days (moderate or substantial fat grafts, or fat grafts combined with other cosmetic surgery procedures)
- Return to Exercise: 4 to 7 days (light cardio), 2 to 3 weeks (more strenuous exercise)