What is Facial Fat Grafting?
Facial fat grafting is a natural approach to restoring and replacing lost facial volume. As we age, our underlying collagen and elasticity begin to break down and wrinkles begin to emerge. We also tend to lose subcutaneous fat on our faces. This can bring about a haggard, hollow, or even skeletal appearance. The goal of facial fat grafting is to restore the face to a more youthful appearance.
Reasons for Considering Facial Fat Grafting
A non-invasive procedure, facial fat grating is a restorative approach to aesthetic surgery used in the following areas:
- Thin or gaunt areas of the face
- In asymmetric areas of the face
- Nasolabial folds
- Marionette lines
- Sunken Eyelids (tear trough hollow below the eyes)
- Thinning lips
- Soft tissues of chin and cheeks
- Temples
- Jawline
- Facial scars from acne or trauma
The Consultation Process
During your consultation, Dr. Leech will evaluate your aesthetic goals to determine whether facial fat grafting is right for you or whether an alternative method is better to achieve your desired result. If it is determined that you are a candidate, Dr. Leech will explain the technique and incision placements for fat removal and the reimplantation methods that are most appropriate for you.
The Procedure
During this procedure, Dr. Leech will take small a small amount of fat from one part of the body (i.e. abdomen, thighs, or buttocks) and re-implant it in an area where it is needed. The unwanted fat from one area is used to augment other areas where fat is deficient. Facial fat grafting is performed in an outpatient surgery center under local anesthesia and usually takes between one and two hours.
The Recovery Process
Post-operatively, patients will be discharged home and will be carefully re-evaluated the next morning. Patients are able to return to their daily routines within a week, but recovery periods can vary depending on the individual and nature of the surgery performed.