Facial Fat Grafting in San Francisco, CA

You can rejuvenate the fullness and contours of your face with synthetic fillers, but an autologous fat transfer to your face can also produce natural results and longer-lasting benefits. Lost volume, often caused by aging, tends to be more pronounced around the cheeks, eyes, and jawline. An autologous fat transfer by our board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Charles K. Lee, can decrease unflattering signs of aging. Using your own harvested fat in facial areas in a deficit will smooth lines, wrinkles, and folds throughout your face. By liposuctioning extra fat from areas of your body, Dr. Lee can skillfully apply the purified fat to the desired sections of your face for beautiful, lasting results. A fat transfer may be used in several areas to increase volume or decrease wrinkles. Fat grafting is ideally designed to augment the mid-face so that this area appears fuller and lifted without surgery. In addition, it may also be used as a natural lip filler. You can also consider a fat transfer to improve the hollow areas under your eyes. A fat transfer to your face may also improve the appearance of pitted acne scars, static wrinkles (like brow furrows, marionette lines). Dr. Lee will develop your unique treatment plan to focus on one or more areas of your face based on your needs and goals. To explore your options with fat grafting to the face, contact L Plastic Surgery in San Francisco, CA to schedule an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Lee.

Facial fat grafting can help if you want to add volume that looks natural to certain places in your face. A facial fat transfer may improve wrinkles like smile lines, Crow's feet, and laugh lines. Grafted fat may also minimize the appearance of acne scars and sunken areas of your face. You can also add volume to your cheeks and lips for a more youthful appearance. With results similar to an injectable dermal filler, such as Restylane or Juvéderm, a facial fat transfer is a great treatment if you'd like your results to last for much longer. To be a candidate for a fat transfer, you should have enough extra fat on your body for harvesting to meet your goals.

Facial fat grafting is a two-part process that includes liposuctioning fat from an area on your body and purifying the fat to be injected into your face for aesthetic purposes. Since only a minimal amount of fat is needed, Dr. Lee usually uses twilight or local anesthesia. To begin, Dr. Lee will use liposuction to remove fat, which may be taken from your hips, abdomen, or flanks. Once the fat is harvested, it can be processed and then prepared for injection. Dr. Lee will use various techniques and injection angles to ensure the highest immersion rate into your skin and to create smoothness. Based on your plan, fat will be grafted to your cheeks, lips, and/or below your eyes to add volume as well as to correct lines and facial pits.

The viability of the grafted fat can be somewhat unpredictable. You can expect some of the transplanted fat will be re-absorbed into your body. This may require further fat grafting in stages.

Following your facial fat grafting, your incisions will be sutured before you are sent to a recovery area. Dr. Lee or someone on his team will apply dressings and monitor you until you can be sent home with a responsible adult. Before your procedure, Dr. Lee will tell you what to expect during your recovery and ways you can heal more comfortably. Follow-up appointments will need to be made at our San Francisco, CA office for Dr. Lee can evaluate your recovery and progress. Your recovery will vary depending on the amount of fat that is removed and transferred, but you should plan to spend 1 – 2 weeks to rest and recover. Right away, you might feel uncomfortable with swelling and bruising at the liposuction site(s) and your face. You may see a little improvement immediately in your face; however, it will take a few weeks before you'll be able to see your final results. A little bit of fat might be reabsorbed by your body, but with proper care, your results can last for several years.

Should I get a dermal filler or fat transfer?
Both a fat transfer to the face and a dermal filler may improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles as well as restoring lost facial volume. Although fillers can give you wonderful results, a fat transfer typically lasts longer and looks more natural. To help you decide how much volume you want and where, Dr. Lee may recommend starting with dermal fillers. As soon as you've figured out what you like, Dr. Lee will perform a facial fat transfer for long-lasting results.

Can facial fat grafting be combined with another procedure?
Facial fat grafting can be performed with another procedure like a wrinkle relaxer (BOTOX) or a facial treatment. Facial fat grafting is also a good way to enhance any facial surgery to add volume that balances the proportions of your face. Talk to Dr. Lee during your consultation about all your needs and wants so he can develop a comprehensive plan with surgical and nonsurgical treatments that reach all of your cosmetic goals.

How long does facial fat grafting take?
How long it takes to complete your facial fat graft will vary depending on the amount of fat being removed, as well as the volume needed to attain the desired result. When your plan is created in your consultation, Dr. Lee will discuss what you should expect, like the time it will take for liposuction, fat preparation, and grafting. Dr. Lee takes his time carefully grafting even layers of fat with innovative techniques so your outcomes are natural.

Which areas of the face can be improved with fat grafting?
A fat transfer may be used in several areas to increase volume or decrease wrinkles. Fat grafting is ideally designed to augment the mid-face so that this area appears fuller and lifted without surgery. In addition, it may also be used as a natural lip filler. You can also consider a fat transfer to improve the hollow areas under your eyes. A fat transfer to your face may also improve the appearance of pitted acne scars, static wrinkles (like brow furrows, marionette lines). Dr. Lee will develop your unique treatment plan to focus one or more areas of your face based on your needs and goals.

Facial fat grafting and fat transfer procedures are an incredible way to add volume, smooth out lines, and enhance your beautiful facial profile. When you wish for a more youthful, radiant appearance with little downtime, we encourage you to find out more about facial fat grafting at L Plastic Surgery, and how it can help you achieve your desired appearance. It is an excellent option for men and women wanting a more natural enhancement with longer-lasting results than synthetic fillers. Contact our San Francisco, CA office right away to set up your consultation with Dr. Lee for this groundbreaking process.