Fat grafting is a surgical procedure where deposits of fat from one area of the body are removed and placed in another location. Liposuction is used to remove the fat, which will be purified before being injected into another area of the body. Fat grafting helps improve the skin and make it smoother with fewer wrinkles.
How Fat Grafting Works
Living fat cells are taken from an area where a patient has excess fat and at the same time offers the benefit of some slimming in that area. The fat is most commonly taken from the inner thigh, flanks, and abdominal region.
To harvest the fat cells, a low-trauma liposuction technique is used. This helps ensure the integrity of the cells. They will then be processed and injected in the areas where more fat is needed. The cells will make a new home there as they connect to the blood supply, creating a long-lasting value.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Facial Fat Grafting?
Aging can cause thinning of bones and skin, migration of the fat pads in the cheeks and near the eyes, and result in volume loss. It also results in wrinkles on the neck, deepened smile lines, shrinking fat pads, less cheek volume, and drooping eyebrows.
Most people will notice these things starting in their late 40s. Facial fat grafting is a method that addresses all of these issues that occur during normal aging. If you are young and unsatisfied with the projection, contour, and shape of structures like the chin, forehead, and cheeks, facial fat grafting offers many benefits.
What Is Fat Grafting Used For?
Fat grafting is used for areas with wrinkles and fine lines as a way to create better volume in those areas. Cheek contours and volume can be restored using fat cells instead of dermal fillers. They can also be used under the eyes to fill in hollows and deal with dark circles and lessen the look of tired eyes.
Necks and jawlines can be contoured using fat grafts placed in a sculpted way. Chin projection and shape can be enhanced with fat injections, as well. Fat grafting can also be used as lip augmentation for a long-lasting alternative to fillers. All of these procedures are used to create facial rejuvenation.
The Recovery Process for Fat Grafting
Patients will be discharged with light dressings. Light or moderate swelling and bruising can be expected for several days but can be minimized with ice compresses and head elevation. After a few days, self-massage can be used to maintain facial softness and cut down on swelling.
In most cases, patients have little pain or discomfort due to the use of nerve blocks and local anesthetic injections. Experiencing pain after the procedure is unusual. Most patients note feeling much better after surgery and can enjoy their normal social and work activities after a few days. Light exercise can be done a few weeks after surgery and after a month and a half, all activities can be resumed.