Did you know that one of the most prominent signs of aging is facial volume loss? As you lose facial volume, the bony features of your face tend to become accentuated, making you appear older. This is why the use of dermal fillers has become a multibillion-dollar industry. While the results from filler injections can be and often are fabulous, nothing is better than the use of your own fat to restore the facial volume loss which occurs with age. Here at Tampa Bay Cosmetic Surgery Center, we are proud to offer facial fat transfers to restore facial volume that has been lost as a natural part of the aging process.
What is a fat transfer?
A fat transfer also known as fat grafting or fat injection, is a procedure in which fat is transferred from one area in which you have excess fat to an area that may be lacking volume. Some of the areas from which people typically remove fat are the abdomen (lower tummy), flanks, hips, and outer thighs. For this blog, we are discussing transferring fat to the face to reverse the loss of facial volume which occurs with age. But autologous fat (fat taken from you) is like “liquid gold” and is also frequently used to rejuvenate and improve volume in other areas of the body including breasts, buttocks, hands, and genitalia.
During a Facial Fat Transfer, the excess fat will be removed using techniques commonly used in liposuction. The fat will then be centrifuged, specially prepared to improve take of the fat cells and the results, and then injected into the areas of the face needing more volume. This technique is preferable to other cosmetic procedures since it tends to produce a more natural result with minimal risk of fat rejection. Additionally, this procedure is minimally invasive and offers a lower risk for postoperative infection.
Unlike traditional surgeries, fat transfer has no incisions! And unlike commercial fillers, the improvement you will see after a few months may stay with you forever.
While results vary from patient to patient, most experience the correction of wrinkles, folds, and irregularities in facial volume. In many cases, the quality of the skin is also improved as volume is restored. This incision-less procedure may offer such a great improvement in rejuvenating your face that many patients who have Facial Fat Transfer are able to put off having more invasive treatments, often for many years to come.
Am I a candidate for a facial fat transfer?
Many people long to have less fat in some areas and to have more defined volume in certain contours of the face. If you have facial areas that appear creased and sunken, this may be the treatment option to help you reach your aesthetic goals.
In some cases, we may recommend combining the facial fat transfer procedure with other treatments to maximize your results and help you achieve the look you desire.
During your consultation, we will discuss your overall health and other considerations to help us determine whether you are a candidate for the procedure. Be sure to bring along a list of any over the counter or prescription medications to your consultation, as well as a list of any questions you might have about the procedure.
We understand that this is a big decision and we are committed to helping you understand your options so that you can make the choice that is best for you. We want you to feel comfortable and secure through every step of your treatment, from your consultation to your post-operative care.
If you have any questions about our facial fat transfer procedure or to schedule your consultation, contact us today at (727) 522-3223.