The process of aging skin is often accompanied by a certain amount of fat loss in the cheeks and laugh lines and around the eyes. Now you are able to achieve smoother, younger-looking skin with your own fat. This procedure, referred to as autologous fat transfer or lipo-augmentation, allows fat to be recycled to other parts of the body.
Fat transfer can be successful in filling facial lines, erasing wrinkles, improving hollow eyelids, and treating facial depressions or acne scars, and in general restoring a more youthful look. Restoring fat to the hands can also dramatically improve the appearance of aging hands.
The technique involves the extraction of fat from one location on the body, usually the waistline or inner knees, and its reintroduction into the desired treatment area. Fat can also be harvested during a liposculpture procedure and can thus be a complementary procedure to liposuction. By using your body’s own fat, there is no chance for an allergic reaction. Since some of the transferred fat cells survive, long-term to permanent results may be seen. Harvested fat can be stored and injections can be repeated for maximum benefits.
Depending on the extent of the liposuction, you should be able to return to work within a week or so, though some swelling and bruising may persist for a number of weeks after. Once the fat has been injected, you may be instructed to protect your face from impacts or pressure in order to maintain your results while the fat “settles” into place. Patients who undergo a fat transfer procedure in New York, at Dr. Rokhsar’s office, often remark upon how natural the final results look. Your friends and family won’t notice that you’ve had work done–they’ll just notice that you look good. It’s that kind of natural-looking result that is among the primary draws of this procedure. The other draw is that you get to slim down in an area that, otherwise, has been a problem.
By combining liposuction and fat transfer, Dr. Rokhsar is able to help patients achieve the rejuvenation and body contouring they’re looking for.
A fat transfer involves taking fat from one area of the body and injecting it into an area of the face where there is hollowness under the eyes and sunken in cheeks. Fat is typically surgically removed from the waistline or inner knees. Fat can also be placed into the lips and to fill in severe acne scars. Also, because fat consists of long-term surviving cells, long-term and permanent results have been seen.
Those who wish to achieve smoother, younger-looking skin by filling in fat lost in cheeks and erase laugh lines and creases on the face are ideal candidates. This procedure can also be done in conjunction with liposuction. Those with allergies or have a history of rejecting treatments will be relieved to know that because the body is using its own fat to fill in problem area, making it less likely the body will reject its own natural material.
Fat transfer, also known as fat grafting, is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that involves transferring fat from one area of the body to another area that may be lacking volume. During the procedure, the surgeon removes fat using gentle liposuction techniques from an unwanted area of the body, such as the abdomen, hips, or thighs. The harvested fat is then processed to separate the blood and fluid from the pure fat cells. Finally, the purified fat is injected into the desired area of the body, such as the face, hands, breasts, or buttocks, to add volume and restore a more youthful appearance.
Fat transfer is a popular option for patients seeking a natural way to enhance their features and improve their body contours. It can provide long-lasting results without the need for synthetic fillers or implants. Fat transfer can be used to enhance the lips, breasts, buttocks, or other body parts, as well as to repair scars and improve the overall texture and tone of the skin.
The settling time for fat transfer can vary depending on the specific procedure and individual patient factors. Generally, it can take several weeks to months for the transferred fat cells to establish a new blood supply and settle into their new location. The majority of swelling should have been resolved by four to six weeks post-procedure, but final results may take up to six months to fully show. It’s important to follow proper aftercare and recovery guidelines, which may include taking time off work and avoiding strenuous activities, to ensure the best possible outcome.
Fat transfer to the face is a highly effective and long-lasting treatment option for facial rejuvenation. The longevity of the results depends on various factors, including the patient’s age, the volume of fat transferred, and their overall health.
Once the fat cells establish a blood supply in their new location, they are likely to last permanently. Approximately 30-80 % of the transferred fat may be reabsorbed by the body in the first six to twelve months following the procedure. The remaining fat cells typically remain stable and can provide long-lasting results.
Additionally, the natural aging process will continue, and the results may gradually diminish over time. This means that patients may notice changes in their appearance, but the effects of the procedure are still long-lasting. In most cases, patients can expect to enjoy the results of fat transfer to the face for at least five years or more.
Fat transfer to the lips can provide long-lasting results compared to other types of lip augmentation procedures.
The natural aging process will continue, and changes in the appearance of the lips over time may occur. Additionally, about 30%-80% of the transferred fat may be reabsorbed in the first 6 to 12 months following the procedure. However, some studies suggest that up to 80% of the transferred fat may become permanent over time, with some patients experiencing long-lasting results for 5 to 10 years or even longer.
Factors that can affect the longevity of fat transfer to the lips include age, lifestyle habits, and how well you take care of your skin. Additionally, the volume of fat transferred, the techniques used by the surgeon, and the quality of the transferred fat can also impact the results.
There are several options for treatment. One method is steroid injections, which can help reduce the size of the lumps. Another option is the use of deoxycholic acid solutions (Kybella), which have been shown to be effective to injure the membrane of the fat cells in the lump making the lump shrimp or go away. Additionally, ultrasound-guided needle aspiration can be used to remove the lumps. In some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary. It is important to consult with a board-certified dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon to determine the best course of treatment for your specific case.
If the fat transfer has resulted in an overdone appearance or asymmetry, the first step is to consult with your original surgeon to determine the best course of action. In some cases, excess fat can be removed through a process called microliposuction, or the fat can be redistributed to other areas of the face.
If the asymmetry or overdone appearance is due to irregularities in the fat grafts, a facelift or filler injections may be necessary to even out the appearance. Another option is to use a device-mediated treatment to reduce prominent bulges or lumps. Lastly, Kybella injections may be helpful in the treatment of lumps and bumps.
Proper post-operative care is crucial for the success of your fat transfer to the hips. After the surgery, you will need to avoid putting any pressure on the areas where fat has been transferred. It is recommended to sleep on your back or stomach and avoid sleeping on your side for at least three weeks. Using fluffy pillows to support any contact areas of fat transfer can also help. Additionally, it is important to wear a compression garment for up to six weeks and avoid strenuous activities for six to eight weeks. Finally, make sure to consume extra calories and eat nutrient-rich foods, including those with healthy fats, to provide your new fat cells with a good supply of blood.
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121 East 60th Street, Suite 8AB New York, NY 10022
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Dr. Cameron Rokhsar, MD, FAAD, FAACS, is the founder and medical director of the New York Cosmetic, Skin, & Laser Surgery Center. Dr. Rokhsar is a graduate of Harvard College and NYU School of Medicine. Dr. Rokhsar is double board certified in dermatology and micrographic dermatologic surgery, being one of the few select dermatologists in the country who is also fellowship trained in laser surgery. A researcher and innovator, Dr. Rokhsar is the creator of the non-surgical nose job and has been instrumental in the research and development of laser systems such as the Fraxel, CO2, Mirady, Vbeam, Themitight, and Ulthera devices. An Associate Professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC, Dr. Rokhsar actively teaches the cosmetic dermatology clinic to the resident at Mount Sinai. An expert injector of fillers, and a trainer for many companies, patients fly in from around the world to see Dr. Rokhsar in his Garden City and Manhattan offices in New York.
Dr. Rokhsar was chosen by
magazine as a top dermatologist in its Best Doctors 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 issues.
