Thanks to continued refinements in the world of body contouring treatments, skilled surgeons can now make subtle, yet striking improvements to facial aesthetics using fat grafting.
Strategically adding fat in certain areas can be just as aesthetically impactful, if not more so, than removing it in other areas. Dr. Pablo Baltodano of Balto Plastic Surgery specializes in providing individualized fat grafting procedures for patients looking to restore plump, youthful-looking skin that enhances their natural beauty.
In this overview of fat grafting for facial rejuvenation, we will explain the benefits and applications of this procedure, who it’s for, how to maximize your results, and much more. When you’re ready to commit to a life-changing fat grafting procedure, our team at Balto Plastic Surgery is here to guide you along each step of the process.
How Does Fat Grafting Work?
The general methodology for fat grafting procedures stays consistent across different use cases (e.g., butt lift versus facial fat transfer), featuring these three key steps:
- Extraction of fat from donor site
- Purification of fat
- Injection of fat into target area(s) of the face
This procedure offers the dual benefit of contouring one area (the donor site) while adding more volume to another. In the case of fat grafting to the face, patients can target a wide range of issues by strategically adding volume to certain areas.
After the initial consultation and evaluation process has concluded and the day of your treatment has arrived, the first step is to ensure you are comfortably positioned and ready for liposuction. Anesthesia (local or general depending on the case) is used to numb the donor site, after which a thin tube called a cannula is passed through a small incision. Fatty tissue in the donor site is then broken up and removed.
Next, the fat from the donor site goes through a process of purification to filter out unwanted components like dead cells and other impurities.
Finally, the fat is then carefully injected into the target areas of the face with a fine syringe. Before the procedure, you and your surgeon will agree on how much fat to add where in order to achieve the aesthetic boost you’re looking for.
Applications and Benefits of Fat Transfer Procedure for the Face
At first, seeking to add fat in certain areas may seem counterintuitive, but especially with aging, there are several aesthetic issues affecting the face that are remedied by a volume boost. These include, but are not limited to the following use cases:
- Lip volume boost: One of the most common applications of fat grafting to the face, enhancing the volume of the lips using your own fat offers several advantages over even the most well-reviewed dermal fillers.
- Reducing fine lines: Fat transfer to the face can significantly reduce the appearance of fine lines by smoothing them over, supporting a naturally youthful appearance.
- Restoring sunken or hollowed areas: With age and some medical concerns, the cheeks and under eye areas can often suffer from volume loss, creating a tired and unhealthy appearance. Facial fat transfer restores a plump, healthy look to these areas without giving the patient the appearance of having work done.
- Facial asymmetry: Most people have some degree of natural asymmetry affecting one or more of the face’s contours and features. In both subtle and more significant cases, fat transfer to the face can minimize these asymmetries for a more pleasing overall aesthetic.
- Scars and facial depressions: Acne scars and others that tend to leave small depressions in the face can be significantly diminished with facial fat transfer.
As compared to most alternative treatments, facial fat transfer has the same or less downtime, lower chance of an allergic reaction (because it is your own tissue being injected), and just as much potential to significantly improve facial aesthetics and geometry. Patients laud the treatment for its ability to produce natural-looking results with minimal hassle.
Who Is Eligible for Fat Grafting?
There are three key components to consider when determining any given person’s eligibility for fat grafting to the face: medical eligibility, applicability, and expectations of treatment.
The majority of people in reasonably good health will medically qualify for fat grafting, but as it is still a surgical procedure, there are some factors that may disqualify you from receiving treatment. It’s best to discuss your case with a licensed professional like Dr. Baltodano, but for context, people with certain immune disorders, active infections near the treatment disorders, severe chronic diseases, and HIV may not qualify, along with several other considerations.
Beyond health and safety factors, your surgeon needs to determine whether or not the treatment is justified. In other words, does the patient present with concerns that are appropriately addressed by the treatment in question, or would they be a better candidate for a different approach?
Finally, it’s important to have reasonable expectations of treatment. At Balto Plastic Surgery, we will ensure that your expectations of treatment are directly aligned with the real results that the treatment actually provides in order to ensure you are pleased with the process.
Choose Balto Plastic Surgery for a Rewarding Fat Grafting Procedure
Our entire team at Balto Plastic Surgery is committed to providing each patient with a meaningful, enjoyable, and fully individualized experience. From the moment of first contact to well after your procedure(s), we are here to make you feel welcome and confident in your decision.
Contact our office today for a consultation and begin a new journey towards renewed health and beauty.
