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Though some of the visible signs of aging are caused by collagen depletion within the skin as we age, changes in fat distribution and muscle composition also play a role. Facial fat grafting can restore youthful facial contours, smooth out wrinkles, and provide significant facial rejuvenation by replacing fat lost during the aging process.
What is Facial Fat Grafting?
As we get older, fat on the body gradually becomes more centralized. Unfortunately, fat deposits on the face shrink, and the amount of fat located on the abdomen increases. For this reason, mature individuals often notice that they look thinner in the face than they used to. These changes occur even when you gain weight and can be made worse with weight loss.
The way facial fat is structured changes over time, too. When we’re young, fat pads in the cheeks, temples, forehead, and orbital region provide uniform support for the face. As we age, these fat pads slowly slide downwards; in some cases, they also start to clump together. This can create hollows around the eyes and under the cheeks. It can also contribute to the presence of jowls and submental fullness (a “double chin”). In areas where fat distribution is sparse, wrinkles and creases can also appear because there is no longer enough fat to fill out existing skin. It can also make excess skin more noticeable.
That’s where facial fat grafting (also known as autologous fat transfer or autologous fat grafting) comes in. Facial fat grafting is an outpatient procedure performed by removing unwanted fat cells from one part of the body and transferring them to the face.
Benefits of Facial Fat Grafting
The facial plastic surgery procedure can help you look slimmer in one area while ensuring an increase in facial volume and a more youthful appearance overall.
Another benefit of facial fat transfer is that fatty tissue often contains stem cells, and the growth factors within these cells can increase collagen production. This makes the skin in treated areas firmer, smoother, and more supple. Fat transfer can also be an excellent choice for patients who are allergic to hyaluronic acid or other dermal fillers.
Facial fat grafting can be used on its own, or it can be combined with a facelift, neck lift, or eyelid surgery. Patients who show signs of advanced skin laxity or sagging skin often benefit greatly from combining procedures. When you come in for a consultation, Dr. Wilson will examine your facial structure and help you develop a personalized treatment plan that meets your needs.
PATIENT TESTIMONIALS
Melissa T.
Dr. Wilson's attention to detail and commitment to excellence are evident in every aspect of his work. I HIGHLY recommend him! His nurses and staff are very attentive, responsive, and genuinely caring, making the recovery process smooth and stress-free. I'd give more than 5 stars if Google reviews let me.
Gale P.
Dr. Wilson called me personally after the surgery to see how I was doing! Who does that today? Anytime I needed to speak to someone in his office they called me back within minutes! His surgical skills are meticulous and he is a perfectionist! I couldn’t be happier.
Joe D.
AW Plastic Surgery is the best! From the minute I entered the office I felt comfortable and relaxed! Dr Anthony and his entire staff were informative and helpful, but more importantly, just great people. Truly an incredible experience from start to finish.
Who is a Good Candidate For Facial Fat Grafting?
Ideal candidates for fat transfer must be in good overall health and be current non-smoker.
If you’re looking for facial fat transfer to restore volume in your face, you must also have a healthy percentage of body fat. Very thin individuals may not have enough fat to safely harvest for injection. If this is the case, Dr. Wilson will recommend you use dermal fillers instead, especially Sculptra®, to treat wrinkles, hollows, and creases.
The Facial Fat Grafting Procedure
As a national trainer for Galderma, Dr. Wilson frequently uses injectable dermal fillers (like Juvéderm® and Restylane®) for volume enhancement. However, while these treatments are safe, convenient, and completely noninvasive, some patients desire a longer-lasting solution for facial hollows and wrinkles. Facial fat grafting provides this solution by permanently redistributing fat deposits.
To perform a fat transfer to the face, Harvard-educated plastic surgeon Dr. Anthony Wilson will first administer local anesthesia to ensure your comfort. He then uses liposuction to remove fat from the patient’s body. Patients can choose to have grafted fat removed from an area of the body that they want slimmer, including the abdomen, flanks, back, or thighs.
Once Dr. Wilson has removed your unwanted fat, he processes it in a centrifuge. This purifies the fat without damaging it, readying it for injection into the face. After the harvested fat has been injected into your facial hollows and creases, it will integrate with existing fat cells and become a permanent part of your facial anatomy. How much injected fat you need will depend on your desired results.
DR. ANTHONY WILSON
When you are seeking a qualified and talented plastic surgeon, look no further than board-certified Dr. Anthony Wilson with AW Plastic Surgery. Dr. Wilson has a passion for both aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the face and the body. He takes deep satisfaction in giving his patients the tools they need to feel confident, whole, and beautiful, no matter where they are in their aesthetic journey.
MEET DR. WILSONRecovery
Most patients feel better just three to five days after having this fat injection procedure. Symptoms of residual swelling and bruising in and around the donor site, as well as at the injection site, can last for two to three weeks.
Most patients take about one week off of work after their fat transfer and then use makeup to cover any remaining bruises.
As for results, you’ll see some initial changes immediately, but most of the noticeable results won’t show up until the swelling and bruising have diminished.
Schedule A Consultation
Are you noticing your face showing more fine lines and wrinkles? Are you seeing more hollowness? Facial fat grafting can be the perfect solution! Fat injections can fill in those hollows and erase those fine lines and wrinkles in no time. And because fat is taken from your own body, you can enjoy some body contouring as well. It’s a win-win.
Schedule a consultation today by calling our Portsmouth, NH office or using our online contact form.
