Facial Fat Grafting

What is it?

Harvest of fat from another part of the body eg abdomen, thighs , neck and utilising it to improve the volume and shape of the face. It is also known as fat injections, autologous fat transfer, lipofilling.

It is normal to lose volume as you age and this normally shows as loss of volume around cheeks and lips and hollowing of the eyes.

Fat transfer is a long lasting way to restore volume and unlike synthetic fillers can be permanent.

Who is the right candidate?

• Loss of volume from face
• An under-eye area which has hollowing and dark circles
• Fine lines and wrinkles of the face
• Depressed scars
• Excess fat in other parts of the body

Will I need a general anaesthetic?

No it can be done under local or with sedation but if combined with other procedures eg facelifting ( facial fat grafting is often done together to replace lost volume at the same time as treating loose skin ) , eyelid surgery , liposuction then general anaesthesia is required.

What it can do

• Improve skin texture and reduce pigmentation
• Reduce wrinkles
• Lip augmentation
• Helping with depressed scars and improve scar skin quality

What is cannot do

Address loose skin

How is it done?

• Donor site is chosen and prepared with a special solution called tumescence to reduce bleeding and bruising
• Fat harvest with liposuction
• Preparation of fat to purify
• Injection of fat into strategic places where required evenly
• Massage of face with fat to get a smooth contour

Post procedure?

Soft diet , painkillers and antibiotics are prescribed for 5 days.

Avoid vigorous activity for 10-14 days

Will I see results immediately?

There will be some swelling but you will see some immediate volumisation effect. The swelling will take 7-10 days dissipate and the final results will be evident at 4-6 weeks.

What are the risks?

Scarring is unusual as very small incisions ( 1-1.5mm ) are made to place the fat in the face.

Around 30% of the fat cells do not survive so normally extra fat is placed at the time of operation.

There may be a need to repeat the procedure.