Fat transfer is a method of soft tissue augmentation that uses your own body fat to restore volume in depressed areas of your facial skin. Plastic surgeons have been offering fat transfer less frequently in recent years as wrinkle fillers like Radiesse and Restylane became more popular.
Who is a good candidate for fat transfer?
Fat grafting is for deeper volume enhancement in the skin - not fine line correction. If you exhibit conditions like these, Dr. Rand may recommend this treatment:
- Depressed scars
- Hollowness
- Deep skin folds
Because the procedure requires liposuction to harvest fat, you must have a sufficient amount of fat somewhere on the body that can be removed.
How Fat Transfer Works
The fat grafting process requires removal with liposuction, preparation of the fat and injection of fat. Fat survival is the complicated part of this procedure; in order for a fat graft to reintegrate with the body and survive, blood flow must be established to the graft. The blood vessels must reconnect with the graft during the days that follow your procedure. If this does not occur, your body will reabsorb the fat.
What to Expect After Fat Grafting
Incisions for harvesting fat are very small, so minimal care will be required and stitches should not be necessary. Swelling, bruising and temporary changes in skin sensation can occur for a few weeks after fat grafting. Once these effects subside, you should be able to appreciate the results. However, Dr. Rand advises patients to wait 3 months to fully evaluate the results: results that are present after that time should be considered permanent.
Fat Grafting Alternatives
Wrinkle fillers are a simple alternative to fat grafting, which achieve more predictable results. Some wrinkle fillers can even last as long as 1 – 3 years. Ask Dr. Rand about the different wrinkle fillers that are available here in Bellevue.
To learn more about fat grafting or soft tissue augmentation, contact the office of Dr. Richard Rand in the Seattle/Bellevue area.
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