Aging not only results in drooping of the soft tissues of the face, but also generalized volume loss within the facial tissues. Volume loss in the face is one of the very first signs of aging, associated with wrinkling, irregular shadows on the face as well as deep hollowing that are tell-tale signs of increased age. Commonly, it is the area around the eyes, cheeks and mouth that are most noticeable, but all parts of the face are affected.
Restoration of fat to the face is an incredibly gratifying procedure that can bring back the natural contours of a youthful face, and is especially effective as an adjunctive therapy to lifting procedures (such as a face/neck lift). The procedure can be done with oral sedation and local anesthesia or general anesthesia. The surgeon typically harvests fat from an area of excess on the patient’s body (usually the belly or thighs) with a blunt liposuction cannula. The fat is then processed and purified, and re-injected into the areas of concern using a very small blunt cannula specifically designed for this purpose. *
Successful fat transfer depends on re-vascularization of the fat placed into the recipient site, much like a living graft. Typically, some of the fat injected gets resorbed by the body (slightly variable per patient) but that which remains has been shown to be extremely long-lasting and natural-appearing. Stem cells within the fat injected can also contribute to healthier and more youthful skin.
Recovery from a fat transfer is swift but typically takes about a week, mostly due to swelling and bruising which is very manageable with make up.
To see if you could be a candidate for Facial Fat Transfer, contact our team at Chicago-based New Horizons Center for Cosmetic Surgery to schedule a consultation with our surgeon Dr. Turowski.
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