Autologous fat facial rejuvenation or structural fat grafting of the face

What is autologous fat facial rejuvenation?

In autologous fat facial rejuvenation or structural fat grafting to face, fat from then inner thighs, abdomen or flanks is liposucted, processed and then injected around key facial areas in order to improve facial contour. With ageing facial tissues slacken and fat atrophies. The fat atrophy is mainly seen in the periorbital region while the tissue descent is mainly in the lower face. The fat transfer takes place mainly in the cheek bone and upper face area and rebalances the loss of volume, while at the same time improves the skin texture due to stem cell action.

By supporting structures around the eyelid with fat, one can alter facial aesthetics significantly and reduce the need for facelifts and blepharoplasties in carefully selected patients.

Fat transfer to both upper and lower lips is a great tool for volume restoration and tissue augmentation. Is also works reasonably well when it comes to soften deep nasolabial folds.

It is a facelift alternative for some patients but not for everyone.

Who is a good candidate for this procedure?

Any person who has experienced loss of facial fat volume either due to ageing or disease (congenital or acquired). In general, slim patients with minimal to medium facial skin laxity are good candidates.

How much of the injected fat survives?

About 50-60% of the injected fat cells will survive if the procedure is done properly. The rest of it will be washed away by your body.

Do I need more than one procedure?

On average 2 procedures are required for you to achieve a visible difference

How soon after the first procedure can I have the second one?

Around 6 months is the interval between procedures so the facial tissues become soft again and ready to accept another transfer.

Your bespoke autologous fat facial rejuvenation transformation overview

Consultation and Planning: 45-60 minutes
Surgical procedure: 1 hour on average
Anaesthetic: General (you go to sleep)
Hospital stay: Day case or 1 night
Follow up appointments: 1 week, 2 weeks, then 3 months and 12 months.
Time off work: 3-4 days
No Driving: 3-4 days
Exercise and Gym: 2 weeks

Consultation and Planning

Once you book your appointment with me, I will see you at your chosen time in my clinic. Your consultation will last 45-60 minutes. During this time, I will listen to your wishes, examine you, access any medical conditions you may have and focus on your specific issues of concern. Your facial tissues will be assessed by me in detail, I will explain to you the significance of my findings, and you will have the chance to point out the areas you would like the fat to be harvested from.

Eventually a bespoke plan will be presented to you and I will give you an estimate of the number of procedures required so you reach your goal. If it is not possible to meet your expectations you will be informed about that straight away.

The consultation process is the first step, but in my opinion the most important, as it is the cornerstone of your journey.

Surgical Procedure

Your bespoke procedure will take on average 1 hour and is under general anaesthetic. When you wake up in recovery you will feel the facial swelling but you will be comfortable.

You will stay in the hospital either a few hours as a day case or for 1 night if that is your choice.

Aftercare and follow up:

Week 1 and week 2 and then at 3 months and at 12 months

Risks

Early

• Bruising of both donor site and face
• Swelling of both donor site and face
• Mild discomfort of face
• Fat embolism during injection.

This is extremely rare and involves fat cells being directly injected in large volumes in a vein and then follow the vein route to your heart and lungs. If the procedure is done properly and small volumes of fat are injected with due care this complication should never happen.

Late

• Loss of volume of the injected fat
Usually, you keep about 60% of the volume injected

• Fat necrosis
This involves some of the injected fat hardening up and forming more solid lumps. This is temporary and usually goes away. With careful injection techniques in small volumes this usually is not an issue.

• Oil cysts
Some of the injected fat can degenerate and form oil cysts. These can either persist in your face or they can get absorbed. Again, a good injection technique can minimise the formation of those cysts.

• Fat calcification
Sometimes the injected fat can be calcified.

PHOTO GALLERY

BESPOKE structural fat grafting to face. Only one procedure.
This patient had approximately 100cc of fat injected at zygomatic, periorbital area, nasolabial folds, lips and jawline
She did not have a lower eyelid blepharoplasty. The zygomatic augmentation with fat eliminated the need for that. Her skin texture also improved due to the stem cell effect.
Her facial contour was improved in a soft and natural way.
Before and after at 12 months