subject: Fat Transfer For A More Youthful Face [print this page] Fat transfer is a cosmetic procedure that involves removing fat from one area such as the stomach or thigh and relocating it to another desired area like the face. Many patients request to have the fat inserted into areas of the face to enhance their features and to restore the youthful fullness that thins with age. The ultimate goal for a fat transfer procedure is to make an area of the body more full or round. Fat transfer can enhance the face as well as the breast and buttocks and hands. When used on the face, this procedure restores some of the hollows which can be noted under the eyes, in the temples or along the cheek folds.
As individuals age, the dermis that lies just under the skin begins to get thinner, bone becomes thinner and more flat, and fat of the face begins to droop and loses volume. As a result, the face may begin to start sagging and seem to be more drawn and tired appearing. Fat transfer can substantially improve these unwanted, and impossible to stop, signs of aging. The procedure also improves skin's elasticity so people look younger and more rejuvenated. This process is also beneficial to the local overall blood circulation as a result of the collection and redistribution of fat cells and the need for the body to nourish the newly transferred fat.
A fat injection procedure is executed by a board certified cosmetic surgeon who uses appropriate tools to collect the fat from one area and relocate it to another. Removal of the fat is performed using a liposuction cannula or a syringe which is specifically designed for the fat transfer. The fat is processed in a centrifuge to compact the fat before it is transferred so that serum and natural fluids are eliminated allowing a more pure fat volume to be used.
A fat transfer injection fills out areas of the face which often bear the weight of aging such as the eyes, chin, temple, and cheek area. Contrary to popular belief, fat injections last a long time and can provide some degree of permanency. The use of micro fat technique and instruments has allowed smaller individual fat cells to be transferred allowing the body to incorporate the fat and grow, as opposed to larger instruments used in the past which transferred particles too large to allow blood nourishment and therefore dissolve quickly over time.
The recovery time from a fat transfer of course depends on where and how much fat is placed. For small, specific areas, the recovery is accompanied by local swelling and minor discomfort. For larger areas, there can be considerable black and blue swelling which resolves within a week or so.
There is a diverse range of cosmetic procedures that rely on the safe transfer of body fat to enhance a persons appearance and improve their self-confidence. The costs for the procedure range from $1,500 to $4,000. As always, patients should research the topic and seek the advice of an experienced and certified cosmetic surgeon to be well informed about their options. Lastly, micro-fat transfer can be combined with other procedures including Botox, and facial fillers like Juvederm, which all complement each other in the quest for facial rejuvenation.
