Facial Fat Grafting

There is a relatively new and interesting group of patients that are beginning to realize certain features in their face and are seeking certain plastic surgeons with expertise in this area. This is the group of patients with loss of fat in the face. It may be very subtle or profound, present in men or women, at any adult age, and always of great concern. I share this grave concern with my patients as loss of facial volume is readily noticeable and quickly robs one of the “roundness of youth”. It is very sensible that patients seek my help for this condition, regardless of the degree, and I can help you with this.

Features are typically sunken cheeks, very prominent cheek bones not concealed by the usual fat layer, small lips, hollowness, and sunken temples. It may be something acquired at adolescence as one looses their “baby fat” look. It may be due to weight loss or a history of previous liposuction. It is not uncommonly seen in patients on antiviral drugs for HIV. The anatomy is basically that of loss of the subcutaneous fat layer directly below the skin and above the muscles. It is also related to the degree of looseness of the skin and your underlying bony foundations, so that there are many different anatomic features here that must be analyzed and addressed prior to your surgery. I will coordinate the features of your anatomy with your expectations, formulate a plan with you, and guide you through this. There are very specific techniques for collecting fat and grafting this into the correct areas, and I will explain and illustrate all of this to you. Surgery involves a light general anesthetic, performed where I do surgery, which is in a hospital setting. The surgery is safe and predictable. It is planned and designed to be permanent, and is. There is a mild to moderate degree of swelling after surgery. All the stitches are small and removed in 4-7 days with return to work in as little as 5-7 days, and to some physical exercise in the second week.

There is a whole art to fat grafting in terms of which fat to harvest, how it is prepared, how it is injected and grafted, and how to make it permanent. I have expertise in fat grafting to the face and have performed many of these operations with very natural results that do not make you look different or like a different person, but rather, youthful and bright and refreshed. I spend a great deal of time discussing your anatomy, listening to your expectations, and interpreting for you what your anatomy and tissues will allow me to do in a safe and predictable way. In addition, I consider your body as a whole and I build a system into every facial surgery that, initially, allows you to recover much quicker and, secondly, it serves to preserve your surgical results. This system includes a special diet, special attention to blood clotting, vitamins, supplements, skin products, physical training and knowing what to avoid. Together, all of this allows me to create results that are consistently very beautiful, quick to heal, exceptionally natural, and with minimal incisions, especially in the face; an area of such major importance. I am delighted to surgically provide you with such profound yet natural facial image changes, and ones that have consistently so pleased my patients and changed their lives.

Please also read my article on Fat Grafting FAQ’s and others in the Articles Section of the website.

For before and after images of this procedure click here

Please call or contact the office for any further information or to schedule an appointment.