Fat Transfer / Fat Injection | Montgomery AL
Fat transfer as the name implies involves taking fat from one place on the body and placing it to another. Fat is a great way to permanently replace lost volume in the face. Fat not only provides volume, but also may help rejuvenate the skin. It is commonly combined with other surgical procedures for the aging process typically involves volume loss. Much like deflating a balloon as we lose volume in the face, we see the appearance of laxity and looseness.
Procedure
At Alabama Surgical Arts Dr. Nizam typically harvests fat from the abdomen or thighs. People commonly ask if it will make a noticeable difference in the areas, it is harvested and normally it doesn’t, as small volumes are taken. The fat is then processed and injected into areas of the face. As mentioned above, this procedure is commonly combined with other procedures.
Fat take (the amount that stays and survives) is variable in different people and different sites of the face. Around the eye 50-60 percent of the volume transferred typically stays. In the lower portions of the face 40-50 percent will typically survive. In the lips 20 percent usually survives. The amount that stays will be with you for the rest of your life. If you put on weight the fat transferred will enlarge as well. It is for this reason that Dr. Nizam prefers not to repeat fat injection. He likes to use fat as a base volumizer and use fillers to fine tune any areas that need additional volume. Fat transfer can be performed under sedation or general anesthesia and takes approximately 1 hour.
Recovery
If fat grafting is performed by itself recovery is minimal. Some bruising and swelling are present for the first 7-14 days; however this can be covered with makeup the day after surgery. Dr. Nizam prefers to try to limit facial expressions for the first week to help enhance fat take. Patients typically return to work a few days after the procedure if performed by itself. Results are typically seen at 6-8 weeks.
Would You Like to Rejuvenate Your Face?
Alabama Surgical Arts offers a number of facial cosmetic surgery procedures including lip lift, face lift, and rhinoplasty. Contact us today to learn more!