What is Facial Fat Transfer?
Facial fat transfer, also known as fat grafting or facial fat injection, is a cosmetic procedure that enhances facial fullness, smooths wrinkles, and restores a youthful appearance by transferring fat from one part of the body to the face. At Cultura Dermatology and Plastic Surgery in Washington, DC, Dr. Kelly Bolden, MD, FACS utilizes this technique to provide natural-looking results without synthetic fillers or implants.
The procedure involves harvesting fat using conventional liposuction techniques from an area of the body with excess fatty tissue. The harvested fat is decanted to separate the fat cells from other fluids. Using a fine needle, the harvested fat is re-injected back to the facial areas with volume loss to restore, contour and sculpt.
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Advantages of Facial Fat Transfer
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Natural Enhancement
Uses the patient's fat, reducing the risk of allergic reactions and achieving natural-feeling results.
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Long-Lasting Results
Offers more permanent results compared to synthetic fillers.
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Improves Facial Contours
Can restore volume to the cheeks, lips, and under-eyes.
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Minimally Invasive
Less invasive than a surgical facelift and offers a shorter recovery time.
Good Candidates for Facial Fat Transfer
Ideal candidates for facial fat transfer are those looking to enhance facial volume and smoothness without synthetic implants or fillers. Candidates should have sufficient fat deposits in an area of the body, such as the stomach or thighs, and be in good overall health.
What Does Facial Fat Transfer Treat?
Facial fat transfer treats areas where youthful fat begins to diminish with age. This typically includes areas such as:
- Sunken cheeks or temples
- Thin lips
- Deep facial wrinkles and creases
- Hollow under-eye areas
Common Related Procedures
Facial fat transfer can easily be combined with procedures such as:
Fat transfer to breast and buttocks: Patients pursue large volume liposuction to add fat to breast opting out of breast implants or fat transfer to buttocks for a Brazilian Butt Lift.
Liposuction: Many patients pursue liposuction and opt to add facial fat transfer to their treatment package.
Facelift: Lift and rejuvenate skin at the same time as restoring youthful fat.
During a consultation, Dr. Bolden guides patients on how to prepare for facial fat transfer. This includes detailed guidelines on diet, smoking cessation, and avoiding certain medications that may affect the procedure's outcome. Dr. Bolden will thoroughly assess the donor sites and the facial areas to plan the procedure.
Recovery from facial fat transfer is generally mild, with some swelling and bruising expected in both the donor and recipient areas. Most patients can resume normal activities within a few days, though recovery times can vary based on the extent of the procedure.
The cost of facial fat transfer at Cultura Plastic Surgery varies depending on the amount of fat transferred and the complexity of the procedure. Dr. Bolden provides a complete cost estimate during consultations and offers financing options.
What to Expect From a Facial Fat Transfer Consultation
During the consultation, Dr. Bolden thoroughly discusses the patient’s aesthetic goals, evaluates potential donor and recipient sites, and explains the procedure in detail. This session ensures that patients are well-informed about the benefits and details of the procedure and can make a confident decision to proceed.