We now know that volume loss is a major component to overall aging and that all the lifting and tightening in the world may not be always successful in achieving facial rejuvenation unless facial volume is restored.
Think of the youthful face as a nice, round, plump grape. Over the years, this grape becomes a raisin with loss of volume. Similarly, loss of facial volume as we age makes it look like the face has redundant skin. The effect of removing this skin with traditional surgical techniques (i.e. facelift, brow lift, eyelid surgery) without addressing the attendant volume loss with a facelift is analogous to transforming this raisin into a pea. The pea might not have excessive folds but it will still look aged because it is still a pea and is not a nice, round grape. Therefore, returning the raisin to a grape, or an aged face to a youthful one, requires restoring the volume that is at least partially responsible for these aging changes.
Is volume expansion then, the only means of restoring a youthful countenance? Should we discard all other means of achieving facial rejuvenation? No, of course not. Dr. Kass believes that there are three integral parts related to achieving facial rejuvenation.
1. The first relates to the effects of gravity and are corrected with the traditional lifting procedures such as facelift, brow lift, eyelid surgery. There will always be a place for these tried and true procedures. New advances in surgical techniques have resulted in shorter incisions and faster recovery.
2. The second is related to the normal loss of volume which occurs with age. There is a revolution in correcting this volume with facial fillers and there are hundreds of such fillers on the market trying to vie for your dollars. However autologous (from your own body) fat is much better (and cheaper in the long run) than commercially available fillers.
3. The third component necessary to achieve facial rejuvenation is improving the quality of the skin by reversing the deleterious effects of the sun, This can be corrected with the Hetter Facial Resurfacing / croton oil Peel (see separately).
Fat is a wonderful filler when used properly. Facial Fat Transfer is not used to treat a particular line or wrinkle. Instead, it is used to restore diffuse facial volume by refilling your face and correcting the universal volume loss which occurs as we age.
Facial Fat Transfer is also called autologous fat injections or Microlipoinjection. But no matter what you call it, Facial Fat Transfer is revolutionizing facial (and body aesthetic surgery too!). There are NO incisions! The results are natural, versatile, and safe. Without doubt, Facial Fat Transfer is THE preferred method of facial volume enhancement. And absolutely at least some of the benefits derived from this procedure are very LONG-LASTING if not outright PERMANENT!
Dr. Kass believes that an informed patient needs to understand that all three components go into how others judge the appearance of your face. He believes that there must be an integrated approach to facial rejuvenation which combines lifting procedures with volume enhancement and with skin resurfacing. A combination of techniques, a combination of approaches, a willingness to consider all options are truly necessary to achieve the optimal results for each individual patient. There is no single treatment that can achieve everything for every patient. Each patient must be viewed separately and individually.
This 55 year old hospital administrator hated the appearance of her eyes and the hollows of her face. Along with other procedures she also received a Facial Fat Transfer Procedure. Note how natural she looks after this surgery. There is tremendous facial rejuvenation gained simply from filling the cheeks and facial hollows which could only have been achieved with Facial Fat Transfer. The patient could not have been happier!
What to Expect with Facial Fat Transfer
Facial Fat Transfer is a trusted, minimally invasive procedure designed to restore youthful volume and improve facial contours naturally. During your consultation at Tampa Bay Cosmetic Surgery Center, our caring and experienced team will discuss your goals and evaluate your facial structure to create a personalized treatment plan. The procedure involves gently harvesting fat from an area of unwanted fullness on your body, then carefully processing and injecting it into areas of volume loss in your face.
You might notice subtle improvements immediately after treatment, but the full benefits become more apparent as swelling subsides over the following weeks. Many patients tell us they appreciate how natural their results look and feel, with long-lasting effects that can persist for years. Recovery is typically quicker compared to more invasive surgeries, allowing you to return to everyday activities with minimal downtime.
Following the treatment, our team will provide detailed aftercare instructions to ensure optimal healing and results. And if you have any questions or concerns during your recovery, we’re just a phone call away at (727) 522-3223 - St. Petersburg Office or (727) 522-3223 - Clearwater Office .
FAQs
Q: What is Facial Fat Transfer and how does it work?
A: Facial Fat Transfer, also called autologous fat injections or microlipoinjection, uses your own body fat to restore volume to areas of your face that have lost fullness due to aging. Fat is gently harvested from donor sites, processed, and carefully injected to replenish youthful contours without incisions.
Q: How long do the results from Facial Fat Transfer last?
A: Many patients experience long-lasting, and sometimes permanent, results as some of the transferred fat successfully integrates with your facial tissues. While individual results vary, the procedure can provide durable volume restoration that typically outlasts synthetic fillers.
Q: Is Facial Fat Transfer safe and what are the risks?
A: When performed by an experienced, board-certified surgeon like those at Tampa Bay Cosmetic Surgery Center, Facial Fat Transfer is very safe. Risks are minimal but can include temporary swelling, bruising, or unevenness. Our caring team provides thorough pre- and post-procedure guidance to minimize any complications.
Q: How is Facial Fat Transfer different from dermal fillers?
A: Unlike commercial dermal fillers, Facial Fat Transfer uses your own fat cells, which can provide more natural-looking, longer-lasting volume enhancement. It also avoids repeated filler costs and potential allergic reactions associated with synthetic products.
Q: Who is a good candidate for Facial Fat Transfer?
A: Good candidates are healthy individuals experiencing facial volume loss due to aging or other causes, who have areas of unwanted fat suitable for harvesting. During your consultation at Tampa Bay Cosmetic Surgery Center, our experienced surgeon will determine if Facial Fat Transfer is right for your unique goals and facial anatomy.