Facial Fat Transfer

WHAT IS FACIAL FAT TRANSFER?

Facial Fat Transfer, also known as facial fat grafting, is a surgical rejuvenation procedure that involves the transfer of a person’s own fat from elsewhere in the body (typically harvested from the lower abdomen and inner and outer thighs) to areas of the face that require volume restoration.

Autologous (use of one’s own tissue) fat grafting can restore facial volume safely with beautiful results for patients who are looking to target the signs of aging in a natural way. Furthermore, fat transfer can revitalize skin by improving tone and texture.

On top of helping to reverse the effects of aging and restoring facial volume, Facial Fat Transfer is also a very safe and natural cosmetic option. The injected material comes from your own body rather than an animal, cadaver, or synthetic compound. Facial Fat Transfer procedure patients do not need to worry about an allergic reaction, as the body will recognize and accept its own fat. Transplanting your own fat also makes treatment versatile, allowing Dr. Sean Delaney and Dr. Russell Kridel the ability for contouring, lip augmentation, and correction of any sunken or deflated areas on the face.

WHERE CAN I USE FAT TRANSFER?

There are numerous areas where Facial Fat Transfer can be targeted to help restore the more full, vibrant appearance of youth with wonderful results. The most common areas that Facial Fat Transfer can help, include; cheeks, temples, nasolabial folds, lower eyelids, and lips. Fat injections can also help with contouring around the jawline as well as the appearance of sunken skin and any other areas on the face or neck that have lost their original plumpness.

HOW IS FAT TRANSFER PERFORMED?

There are three simple steps for Facial Fat Transfer. The first step of a Facial Fat Transfer involves liposuction from the designated donor site(s) which include the buttocks, abdomen, thighs, hips, or “saddlebags” or “muffin tops.” A low-impact liposuction technique is completed

to collect predominantly undamaged fat cells. Typically, this surface-level fat is withdrawn using a special cannula that preserves the integrity of the harvested fat cells. The second step of Facial Fat Transfer is to isolate the fat cells. After Dr. Delaney or Dr. Kridel obtains the fat cells needed, these cells are added to a device that separates them from the liquid that is also drawn out during liposuction. Thus, Dr. Delaney or Dr. Kridel can remove any damaged fat cells and keep the whole, purified fat for your injection(s). The third step of Facial Fat Transfer is to reinject the fat removed from your body to the desired facial recipient sites. Dr. Delaney or Dr. Kridel will then inject the purified fat cells into these sites at the location and depth needed to achieve the best possible aesthetic outcome. Prior to the procedure, Dr. Delaney or Dr. Kridel will mark the facial areas targeted for injection.

WHO IS AN IDEAL CANDIDATE FOR FAT TRANSFER?

The most ideal candidates for a facial fat transfer include individuals who have a strong desire to rid the signs of aging from targeted areas in their face, such as; sunken areas (cheeks), furrows, wrinkles, dark circles, under eye bags, deep lines, or a combination of these features. Facial Fat Transfer can also augment and volumize thin lips. Facial Fat Transfer can also treat a condition called lipoatrophy, which refers to the loss of the layer of fat on the face that gives shape to the cheeks and jawline. By filling in the hollow depressions on the face, Facial Fat Transfer can improve facial contours.

WHAT IS THE RECOVERY FROM FAT TRANSFER?

Right after your Facial Fat Transfer procedure, it is normal to experience slight swelling and bruising at the donor sites on your body and injection sites on your face. You may have some pain in the first few days post-operatively. Dr. Sean Delaney or Dr. Russell Kridel will provide you with a prescription for pain medication as indicated. Every patient heals differently, but for most, swelling will only last a few days and most patients can return to their routines and everyday light activity within 48 hours of treatment. Mild swelling may persist for 6 to 8 weeks after Facial Fat Transfer.

After the initial swelling has gone down after your Facial Fat Transfer procedure, you will be able to notice a more youthful appearance almost immediately. Depending on the areas being injected, it can take a few months to heal completely. Dr. Sean Delaney or Dr. Kridel and the Facial Plastic Surgery team is with you every step of the way and you will have frequent post operative visits. Like all medical procedures, it is important to follow all pre-operative and post-operative instructions Dr. Sean Delaney or Dr. Russell Kridel and our FPSA staff provide for you.

Dr. Sean Delaney and Dr. Russell Kridel are known as the best facial plastic surgeons in Houston. Dr. Delaney and Dr. Kridel are double board-certified in Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, as well as Facial Plastic Surgery, so they truly know the face and neck anatomy better. Dr. Sean Delaney and Dr. Russell Kridel are two of the very few plastic surgeons who perform Facial Fat Transfer in Houston. There are important nerves in your face, so it is important that you select a facial plastic surgeon who has training and expertise focused solely on the face and neck.

In addition, the level of care that our practice (Facial Plastic Surgery Associates) provides patients is the best in Houston. Dr. Sean Delaney and Dr. Russell Kridel will answer all of your questions and review the procedure at your comprehensive initial consultation. They will provide you with an honest assessment of areas where Facial Fat Transfer may (or may not) give you the greatest benefit. In addition to the comprehensive initial consultation, Dr. Delaney or Dr. Kridel will see you very often post-operatively so that we can be a part of your care every step of the way.

WHAT IS THE COST OF FAT TRANSFER?

The cost of your Facial Fat Transfer depends on a few factors including the amount of fat that needs to be extracted for the targeted areas, the number of injections and number of areas needed to produce your desired facial appearance. As a general rule of thumb, the cost is approximately $1,500 for fat harvest and transfer to one facial region, with each additional site ranging from about $250.00 to $500.00 depending on the complexity and amount of fat required. If you desire IV sedation anesthesia, the facility fee and Anesthesia cost will be separate. At the time of your consultation with Dr. Sean Delaney or Dr. Kridel, we will provide you with a quote for your personal treatment plan.

WHERE DO I HAVE FACIAL FAT TRANSFER DONE?

At Facial Plastic Surgery Associates, we have a fully accredited AAAHC surgical operating room. You will be able to have the procedure in our office with local anesthesia or IV sedation, rather than general anesthesia. You will need to have someone bring you to the office before the procedure and take you home after the Facial Fat Transfer.

DOES FACIAL FAT TRANSFER WORK?

Facial Fat Transfer is a more involved procedure than hyaluronic acid dermal filler injection. A "donor area" must be determined (such as the abdomen or thighs) and liposuction is used to extract the fat. The suctioned fat can then be transferred to the face, as a graft. The grafted fat then must redevelop a blood supply in order to survive. About 50% of the fat injected will survive, and the surviving fat will last a long time and, in some instances, permanently.

DOES FACIAL FAT TRANSFER HURT?

There is very little discomfort involved in facial fat transfer both at the donor site and at the injection site.

DO YOU NEED ANESTHESIA FOR FACIAL FAT TRANSFER?

For most patients, anesthesia is not needed. Dr. Delaney or Dr. Kridel will provide local anesthetic and oral meds to minimize discomfort. If patients prefer not to be alert during the procedure, they can have Facial Fat Transfer performed with IV sedation in our fully accredited AAAHC operating room.

CAN FACIAL FAT TRANSFER BE PERFORMED WITH OTHER PROCEDURES?

Absolutely. In addition to a standalone procedure, Facial Fat Transfer is often performed at the same time as other facial rejuvenation procedures. For example, you can have facial fat transfer done in your temples at the same time as a facelift, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) or rhinoplasty. At the time of your facial rejuvenation consultation, Dr. Sean Delaney or Dr. Russell Kridel will provide the appropriate recommendation when indicated for facial fat transfer.

DOES FACIAL FAT TRANSFER LOOK NATURAL?

One of the many benefits of Facial Fat Transfer is that the results look very natural. Dr. Sean Delaney or Dr. Russell Kridel are using your own fat, not a synthetic filler.

HOW LONG DOES FACIAL FAT TRANSFER LAST?

Once facial fat is integrated into your facial tissues, it will remain there for a long time, and in many cases, results can be permanent. It is important to keep in mind, however, that Facial Fat Transfers do not protect against future aging. While a Facial Fat Transfer can minimize current aging symptoms, patients should see results slightly diminish over time. Most areas on the face will only require a single facial fat transfer treatment, while other areas might require more than one fat injection to obtain the desired contour.

IS FACIAL FAT TRANSFER BETTER THAN FACIAL FILLERS?

If your primary concern is a loss of volume in an area of your face, particularly in the cheeks, temples, around the eyes or jawline, Facial Fat Transfer (facial fat grafting) can provide a longer lasting result than fillers. A typical dermal filler treatment lasts about 6 to 8 months before needing another treatment, but Facial Fat Transfer has the potential to provide permanent, or near-permanent aesthetic improvement.

In addition to lasting longer, a Facial Fat Transfer does not introduce any foreign substances or compounds into the body. For patients with allergies or sensitivities to a type of dermal filler, facial fat injections can be the perfect solution. There is also the added benefit of removing fat from an unwanted location in the body.

IS FACIAL FAT GRAFTING THE SAME AS FACIAL FAT TRANSFER?

Yes. Fat grafting, also referred to as fat transfer or fat injections, is the surgical process by which fat is transferred from one area of the body to another area in the face.

DOES FACIAL FAT TRANSFER LEAVE SCARS?

Facial Fat Transfer is a minimally invasive technique with very tiny incisions that heal beautifully. There is very little chance it will leave noticeable scarring at either the donor site or the injection site.

WHAT IS THE DOWNSIDE OF FACIAL FAT TRANSFER?

The successful integration of transferred fat into the recipient site depends on the fat graft developing a new blood supply in the face. Approximately half of the inject fat is unable to develop a robust enough blood supply and is reabsorbed by the body. The percentage of fat absorption depends on many factors and may result in a certain degree of variability in the final amount of graft take. The other drawback over traditional fillers is that Facial Fat Transfer is an operation (although a very minor one) involving a donor site and an injection site. The cost is also higher initially, but for those patients who do not want to keep spending money on fillers over time, Facial Fat Transfer can be a one-time permanent or near-permanent solution that will end up being less costly.