Facial Fat Transfer

Facial Fat Transfer

As we age, we lose volume in our face and can begin to look deflated. Both fillers, such as hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm or Restylane and fat can be used to reverse some of these aging issues. During fat injections, also referred to as fat grafting to the face, Dr. Demetri will gently harvest fat from another part of your body, such as your stomach or thighs, and then inject that to fill folds and wrinkles in the face. Fat injections do require surgery however they last longer than hyaluronic acid fillers. Common areas to inject fat include the nasolabial folds, the marionette lines, and the tear troughs. Fat can also be injected along the jawline to help provide more definition and hide the formation of jowls. Dr. Demetri is cautious to add too much fat in the upper portion of the face and cheek because this could give the appearance of too much fullness. Overly filled cheeks with fat (or filler) is unnatural.

Dr. Demetri wants his patients to be thoroughly educated before undergoing fat grafting. Most people may not realize but the fat that is grafted to the face will still behave similar to fat from where it came from (whether your abdomen or thighs). This means as you gain weight the fat grafted to the face will also grow. For pre-menopausal women, this can be a very important detail because if a patient undergoes fat grafting prior to menopause but then afterward your metabolism changes. It is possible the fat cells will enlarge and the face can become wider. As such, Dr. Demetri spends a lot of time educating his patients about that and encourages them to maintain a stable weight after fat grafting.

 

Am I a Good Candidate for a Fat Transfer?

The best candidates for a fat transfer are those with enough excess fat for transfer. The amount of fat needed will depend on which parts of the face will be improved. Most patients need an average of 30 mL of fat for adding volume and improving wrinkles on the face.

A fat transfer is also a good alternative for those who may be allergic to certain ingredients found in dermal fillers. Since the fat is harvested from the patient, there is no chance of allergic reaction.

How to Prepare for a Fat Transfer

Those who are taking medications like anticoagulants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or herbal supplements like vitamin E or fish oil may need to stop at least a week before a fat transfer. This will help prevent complications, such as excessive swelling or bruising.

Similar to all surgical procedures, facial fat transfer patients must avoid smoking and drinking alcohol beforehand.

 

What to Expect During a Fat Transfer Procedure

A facial fat transfer involves fat harvesting and purification. This is followed by injection of the fat into the selected areas for the procedure.

Anesthesia will be administered before fat-cell harvesting and fat injection to ensure a painless and comfortable process.

After a Fat Transfer Procedure

A degree of swelling and bruising are normal after a fat transfer and should go away after a week. Recovery is minimal.

Just like dermal fillers, the injected fat will take some time to settle in. Not all of the transferred fat will survive, and over-injection may be performed to compensate for this expected fat loss.

Contact Us to Learn More

For more information on facial fat transfers in Tampa, contact Dr. Demetri’s office and schedule a consultation. Dr. Demetri will be available to help you achieve your appearance goals.

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“I highly recommend Dr. Demetri!”

“ I highly recommend Dr. Demetri! I was a bit nervous for my first visit, but I couldn’t be happier with my decision to go to him! He’s kind, efficient and listens to give you the exact look that you want. The most natural-looking results!!””

– B.H.

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One of the top Facial Plastic Surgeons in the US

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Meet Dr. Demetri

Dr. Demetri is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who specializes in facelifts. As one of the busiest plastic surgeons in the country, he performs on average 4-6 facelifts per week. He often welcomes fellow doctors and residents to observe him perform facelift surgery. Furthermore, he often attends plastic surgery conferences where he lectures on his surgical techniques.

Dr. Demetri feels privileged to help patients in this journey. He is passionate about the field of plastic surgery and loves meeting wonderful new people in our state-of-the-art office. If you would like to learn more about a deep plane facelift, please contact us for a consultation.

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