Fat Transfer

Wrinkles begin to appear as collagen and elastin fibers in the
skin break down. This breakdown can also be attributed to
excessive squinting, frowning and smiling.

Injectable fat cells taken from your own body is the most
frequently used material for filling facial wrinkles and frown
lines.

While collagen is popular as an injectable filler, it isn't for everyone: some people are allergic to collagen or may develop an allergic reaction.

Fat transfer ( also called autologous fat transfer or micro-lipoinjection ), fills facial features with a patient's own fat. Because the fat comes from your own body, you cannot develop an allergic reaction. Fat transfer to the face is a safe procedure designed to recontour the face and provide definition to cheeks, chin, lips and lower eyes.

The fat used for fat transfer is liposuctioned ( liposuction ) from another part of your body like the abdomen or thighs and injected into another area that requires plumping.

Injected fat lasts longer in larger areas of non-movement, so while it is successful for the correction of grooves under the eyes and sunken cheeks. It is also successful for creating fuller lips.

Fat grafting is performed in our office on an outpatient basis. Both the area from which the fat is taken and the treatment site are anesthetized with a local anesthetic (and with sedation if desired). Using a small needle attached to a syringe, fat is removed from a donor site where your fat is most tightly packed, such as your abdomen.

Once removed, your fat is processed to remove excess fluids and then reinjected. This process may be repeated until the desired correction has been achieved.

Swelling is expected after fat injection but discomfort is easily controlled with medication. Over the first few months your body will absorb about 50% of the fat. The remaining 50% will usually stay in place. For longer lasting results, patients usually receive three or four treatments.