Put Excess Fat to Good Use!
With age comes the formation of wrinkles and age lines, along with volume loss. This loss creates gauntness and hollowness and is more pronounced around the eyes, cheeks, and jawline. These areas can be restored with the help of facial fat grafting.
We have always seen excess fat as something that needs to be removed from the body. However, with facial fat grafting, excess fat can be put to good use by adding volume to our faces, creating a more youthful look that is free of lines and wrinkles.
What Is Facial Fat Grafting?
Facial fat grafting is a method that uses a patient’s own excess fat taken from the abdomen, hip, or thigh region to restore volume in areas of the face. Only tiny amounts of fat are transferred. The fat is injected into hollow regions in the form of droplets using blunt cannulae.
What Are the Problems Addressed by Facial Fat Grafting?
The following are some aesthetic issues addressed by this procedure:
• Sunken cheeks
• Fine lines and wrinkles, including crow’s feet (laugh lines around the eyes)
• Dark circles
• Undereye bags
• Frown lines
• A tired look
Apart from adding volume, fat grafting also increases blood circulation in the tissues. This happens because of the presence of AS cells, or Adipose Stem Cells, in reinjected fat.
The Procedure of Facial Fat Grafting
For facial fat grafting, local anesthesia with IV sedation can be used. This will numb the donor sites – the areas from which fat is taken – and will keep the patient feeling comfortable during the procedure.
Fat is then harvested from the hips, thighs, or lower abdomen using thin cannulae. This process will be conducted gently in order to preserve the health of the harvested fat cells.
The fat harvested is processed in a special centrifuge, removing unnecessary elements and damaged fat cells. After this, the healthy fat cells are injected in the targeted facial areas. The sites where the fat is transferred to are known as the recipient sites. The fat cells connect to the blood supply, making it so they can thrive in their new locations for years to come.
Preparations for Facial Fat Grafting
It is always best to be fully informed about the surgery you are about to undertake. Before you go ahead with facial fat grafting, it is important to talk to Dr. Espinosa about the process as part of your consultation. During this consultation, you’ll be able to learn more about the process and ask any questions that you may have.
If you are a smoker, you should stop smoking at least four weeks prior to the surgery. This will ensure quality results.
Recovery After the Surgery
After facial fat grafting, it is common to have some temporary swelling and discomfort in the surgical areas. You will be advised by Dr. Espinosa to not apply pressure in the regions that have been treated and to only wash them gently.
Get Started with Your Facial Fat Grafting
Interested in learning more? Schedule your consultation by contacting the office of Dr. Nashielli Espinosa, an experienced reconstructive plastic surgeon.
