When it comes to reducing the signs of aging, many people think facelifts, Botox, dermal fillers, and other popular procedures are the way to go. And there’s no question these procedures can smooth away lines and wrinkles.
But increasingly, some plastic surgeons recommend fat transfer to eliminate signs of aging in many patients.
If you’re thinking about procedures to make you look younger, below is more information about fat transfer.
Fat Transfer Overview
Some plastic surgeons recommend fat transfer to reduce the signs of aging because it is effectively two treatments at once.
According to Chicago plastic surgeon Dr. Otto Placik, “Fat transfer is unique in plastic surgery because it can remove stubborn fat from problem areas, such as the abdomen, flanks, and thighs. Then the surgeon can inject the fat into parts of the face to reduce wrinkles and add volume.”
Placik says fat can be sculpted into the face to improve volume around the eyes, mouth, and temples to make the patient look younger. And the fat is part of your body so that it can last for many years.
Some of the ways that transferred fat can be used for anti-aging treatments include:
- Add volume to the outer brows
- Replace lost volume under the eyelids
- Fill in hollowness in the upper eyelids
- Add shape and volume to the cheeks
- Fill in deep folds between the nose and mouth
- Fill in hollowness in the lower cheeks
Fat transfer intended for rejuvenating the face can be done when the patient is awake, so there’s no need for IV or general sedation. So, the patient can leave the office the same day.
Many surgeons use laughing gas and lidocaine to relax the patient, and there’s no risk of anesthesia reactions.
Minimal Recovery Time For Fat Transfer Patients
Another significant benefit of fat transfer for anti-aging treatments is patients usually can get back to their daily activities quickly. For example, about 60% of fat transfer patients return to work the next day, and 80% after two days.
If the patient only has fat transfer to the face, they’re almost always back to regular activities no later than the third day. But if they also choose to have fat transfer into the buttocks or breasts, recovery can take longer.
Also, patients of most ages, including men and women, can enjoy impressive results. Patients as young as their teens can use fat transfer to improve their bodies. And people into their 80s can enjoy the procedure to turn back the clock on the face.
And transferred fat doesn’t fade away like Botox and dermal fillers after a year. Of the fat that lives after three months, it can last forever. So the surgeon will slightly overfill the target area, knowing that some of the transferred fat won’t survive.
Most patients will see almost immediate results from the fat transfer, and you should notice additional effects as the weeks pass and your collagen production increases.
Considerations For Facial Fat Transfer
It’s important to talk to your board-certified plastic surgeon about the possibilities for facial fat grafting based on your unique anatomy and needs. The surgeon may recommend a conservative approach for your initial treatment to see how your body responds to the fat transfer procedure.
Another option is to use a hyaluronic acid dermal filler treatment initially, which will be absorbed by the body after a few months. Then, if you like the results, the surgeon can inject fat for a longer-term solution.
Once you have had fat transfer, you can enjoy a younger-looking face as well as a more trim physique. However, remember that the aging process will continue, so you may need to consider other procedures eventually.
Ideal Candidates
For the best candidates, the fat transfer results to the face can last much longer than other injectables. Your plastic surgeon will review your medical history and facial structure to recommend the best procedure for your needs and situation.
Facial fat grafting is often best for these situations:
- Sunken temples or cheeks
- Nasolabial folds and creases
- Smile lines
- Jowls in the lower face and jawline
- Highly visible facial lines and folds
Other Body Areas Suitable For Fat Grafting
If you are having a fat transfer procedure for the face, you might also consider having fat transferred to other body areas:
Breasts
A popular option is natural breast augmentation with fat. Instead of using silicone or saline breast implants, your surgeon can remove fat from one part of the body and inject it into your breasts.
The increase in breast size will be less than with implants, but the result will be subtle, which many women find desirable.
For example, a woman who wants to increase a cup size may use fat transfer to provide a subtle increase that doesn’t get unwanted attention at work.
Buttocks
The Brazilian butt lift is another popular fat transfer procedure that increases the size and shape of the rear. The surgeon removes fat from the abdomen, sides, or thighs, and injects it deep into the butt muscles.
This provides a natural increase in the size of your bottom without going through the extensive recovery required with silicone implants.
The bottom line on fat transfer for anti-aging treatments is it lasts, it’s natural, and there are no concerns about recovery or downtime. So if you want a natural way to make the face look younger, talk to your surgeon about fat transfer today.
