Fat grafting or fat transfer involves removing fat cells from unwanted areas of the body (waist, thighs, or chin) and re-inserting the fat to plump up or add volume to the midface, cheeks, lips or nasolabial folds. It can also be used to fill in small facial lines and smooth out facial wrinkles. It can also be used to fill in facial deformities. The result is a natural, attractive, and artistically contoured facial appearance, which can greatly improve your self-esteem and self-confidence.Facial fat grafting or fat transfer is an exciting minimally invasive rejuvenation procedure, which allows Dr. Hoefflin to sculpt, volumize and restore your face to its natural youthful beauty. As we age, we tend to lose or redistribute facial fat in such facial areas as the midface, cheek, undereye, nasolabial (mouth to nose folds), and temple regions.
Facial fat grafting is frequently performed in combination with other complimentary cosmetic surgery procedures, such as a facelift or laser skin resurfacing procedure to enhance your overall aesthetic result. Dr. Hoefflin also performs an elegant and natural-looking facial liposuction procedure.
During your consultation with Dr. Hoefflin, an individual facial analysis, along with digital photography, will allow him to provide you with his professional expertise and surgical recommendations. At the same time, your aesthetic goals will be discussed at length. Customized literature that discusses the fat grafting or fat transfer procedures in detail will be provided. Before and after photographs of similar patients will be provided.
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Hoefflin performs facial fat grafting, fat transfer, and facial sculpturing in his professional offices as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia only. This obviates the need for the operating room or anesthesiologist, making it a very safe procedure. The procedure usually takes about one hour, depending upon the desired level of correction and sculpting.
When performed in combination with other cosmetic procedures, both are then performed in fully accredited operating room under local anesthesia with deep sedation, or general anesthesia, administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist.
Unwanted fat is gently removed using small cannulas to minimize any trauma. The fat is then spun in a centrifuge to remove excess fluid and the damaged fat cells are “picked out” and only whole, undamaged fat cells are used.The fat is then injected with the use of a separate smaller blunt cannula. The fat is used to either fill in facial lines and smooth out wrinkles, or to augment or enhance the desired facial regions.
Patients are discharged home with light dressings only. Slight to moderate bruising and swelling are common for several days but can be minimized with head elevation and ice compresses. A self-massaging protocol is started after several days to diminish swelling and maintain facial softness.
Our patients are surprisingly free of discomfort due to the long-acting local anesthetic injections and nerve blocks. Pain after this procedure is unusual. Most patients tell us they feel much better than expected following their surgery and are able to return to work and social activities within several days following surgery. Light exercise can be resumed after several weeks and an unrestricted return to all activities within six weeks.
When performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, the risk of serious problems after a facial fat grafting, fat transfer, and facial sculpturing are rare. Most complications are minor, temporary, and can be easily resolved with conservative treatment and time. Specific risks and the suitability of the fat grafting procedure for a given individual can be determined at the time of consultation. You can reduce your risk of complications by closely following your surgeon’s instructions both before and after surgery.
To learn if you are a candidate for facial fat grafting or facial liposuction, contact board-certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Hoefflin for a complimentary consultation.
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