Facial Fat Grafting
The facial fat transfer procedure originally was developed over a century ago to help individuals reduce the appearance of scars. Over the years, fat harvesting and transplantation techniques have evolved. And today, the fat transfer to face process enables people to use fat from numerous body sites to bolster their facial appearance.
Fat grafting and injectable filler treatments are similar. However, during a fat transfer to face procedure, an individual uses his or her own body tissue. This eliminates the risk of an allergic reaction or rejection of the tissue. It also means the results of a fat grafting treatment usually last longer than those of an injectable filler procedure.
During a typical fat transfer to face procedure, fat is harvested via a small incision in the neck. Next, the fat is cleansed, concentrated and injected into the desired area of the face to help provide a full facial rejuvenation.
Dr. Azizzadeh remains a highly sought-after facial plastic surgeon because he consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty to aid patients. As part of a facial fat transfer procedure, Dr. Azizzadeh will learn about a patient’s treatment goals and ensure this individual can achieve the best results possible.
h2Which Facial Areas Can Be Treated with Facial Fat Grafting?
A fat transfer to face procedure enables an individual to address many facial issues, including:
- Forehead lines
- Hollowing around the eyes
- Thinning lips
- Scars or contour depressions along the face
- “Marionette” lines around the mouth
- Loss of cheek volume
- Tear troughs
- Cheek folds near the mouth
Dr. Azizzadeh serves as a leading facial plastic surgeon for many CEOs, celebrities and international dignitaries. He will help an individual map out a facial fat grafting treatment plan that guarantees he or she can reap the benefits of a superior fat transfer to face procedure for years to come.
Facial Fat Grafting Consultation
A fat grafting face procedure requires an initial consultation, and Dr. Azizzadeh will meet with an individual to ensure he or she is a viable candidate for treatment.
With a consultation, Dr. Azizzadeh can examine an individual’s facial anatomy and understand his or her facial fat grafting surgery concerns and questions. Furthermore, Dr. Azizzadeh can perform an in-depth assessment to develop a surgical plan that is tailored to an individual’s needs.
Dr. Azizzadeh also will review an individual’s medical history to identify any risk factors that may impact surgery results. By doing so, Dr. Azizzadeh is able to evaluate an individual’s overall health to determine whether he or she is an ideal candidate for facial fat injections.
Recovery from a Fat Transfer to Face Procedure
The recovery period from a fat transfer to face procedure may last several months. As such, it is important for an individual to prepare accordingly.
After a fat transfer to face surgery, a patient will need to keep his or her head elevated for approximately three to five days. In addition, the patient will need to apply antibiotic ointment to the surgical incisions to minimize the risk of infection.
A patient may experience mild pain in the days after a facial fat transfer procedure. However, the pain usually will dissipate within a few days. In some instances, oral pain medications may be prescribed to help a patient alleviate pain following surgery.
Swelling may last up to three months after a fat transfer to face procedure. Numbness also may occur at various injection sites for up to six months after surgery.
Dr. Azizzadeh understands the importance of preparing for a fat transfer to face surgery. He will outline the steps of facial fat injections and ensure an individual can plan ahead.
Facial Fat Grafting FAQs
The ideal facial rejuvenation treatment varies based on the individual and his or her desired results. Fortunately, Dr. Azizzadeh meets with a patient and performs a comprehensive assessment. This evaluation enables Dr. Azizzadeh to provide personalized treatment recommendations and help a patient decide between a facial fat transfer or dermal fillers.
The cost of facial fat grafting varies based on the surgeon performing the procedure and other factors. Dr. Azizzadeh discusses the cost of facial fat grafting with his patient before he performs the procedure.
Dr. Azizzadeh tailors each facial fat grafting procedure to his patient. Therefore, each facial fat grafting patient receives injections into different areas of the face. Dr. Azizzadeh determines how much fat should be injected and which areas of a facial fat grafting patient’s face should receive injections before treatment. He also dedicates significant time and resources to develop a facial fat grafting treatment plan that can deliver the best-possible results.
Dr. Azizzadeh develops a custom facial fat grafting treatment plan for each of his patients, regardless of gender. As a result, Dr. Azizzadeh helps each facial fat grafting patient revitalize his or her facial appearance.
Each facial fat grafting patient has a different pain tolerance, but most patients receive local anesthetic prior to treatment.
Facial fat grafting requires the use of an individual’s own fat. Thus, Dr. Azizzadeh harvests fat directly from his patient and uses this fat during a facial fat grafting procedure.
For the most part, the results of fat transfer to the face are permanent. However, it is important to understand that after a facial fat transfer procedure, some of the injected fat will not “take” and is metabolized by the body. This means an individual may need to repeat the procedure at a later date.
Over-treating or injecting an excess amount of fat into the face during a facial fat grafting procedure may be problematic. In this instance, a mass of fat may be created on the face that is too big for the blood supply. As a result, the fat that has been transferred to the face cannot survive due to an inadequate blood supply.
Dr. Azizzadeh’s goal is to help a facial fat transfer patient achieve a natural-looking and balanced facial appearance. To accomplish this goal, he ensures only the amount of fat needed to help a patient achieve the best-possible results is used during a facial fat grafting procedure.
The pain associated with facial fat grafting is usually minimal. In many instances, patients can manage any pain they experience following a facial fat transfer procedure with oral pain medication.
There is no minimum weight requirement associated with facial fat grafting. A patient only needs to have enough fat to harvest and graft to undergo this procedure.
A typical facial fat grafting procedure requires one to five hours to complete, and depends on if it is being done in conjunction with any other procedures. The length of the procedure varies based on the areas of a patient’s body in which fat is being harvested and grafted.
Soreness and swelling sometimes occurs after a facial fat grafting procedure. Or, in certain instances, a patient’s face reabsorbs most or all of a fat injection. In rare cases, patients experience a ruptured blood vessel or blood clotting at the treatment site, infection or the development of a fat embolism or scar tissue.
Dr. Azizzadeh educates facial fat grafting patients about the potential side effects of treatment. He also monitors a facial fat grafting patient’s progress after treatment to ensure that this individual’s recovery stays on track.
The amount of time a patient needs to take off from work following facial fat grafting varies. Typically, a patient may experience facial bruising and swelling during the first week after a facial fat transfer procedure. After the first week, however, facial bruising and swelling generally subsides.
Dr. Azizzadeh’s goal is to help each patient achieve a balanced, natural-looking appearance, and he sometimes recommends multiple cosmetic procedures. He performs a full patient assessment to determine if a patient qualifies for facial fat grafting and other cosmetic procedures.
Schedule a Fat Transfer to Face Consultation with Dr. Azizzadeh
Dr. Azizzadeh is happy to perform a fat transfer to face procedure to help an individual improve his or her facial appearance. To find out more about facial fat grafting, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Azizzadeh at the CENTER for Advanced Facial Plastic Surgery today.