Aging can lead to the loss of volume in the fat pads that give our face its shape and contour. This loss of volume transforms once smooth, youthful features into the drooping jowls and deep grooves of an aged face. Restoring lost volume by transferring fat from the abdomen or flanks can help soften deep wrinkles and create more youthful contours to the face. Dr. Hand and the team at Thomas Dermatology, located in Henderson and Las Vegas, Nevada, pay uncompromising attention to detail to ensure you receive the best results possible.
As the name suggests, this procedure can restore definition and lost volume to your face or other areas by transferring fat cells from other parts of the body. The advantages of fat grafting over other methods of restoring volume like fillers are: fat is abundant, allowing larger volume treatments; the cells transferred are natural, are yours, and will fluctuate with changes in your weight like the rest of the fat cells native to your face; once integrated, the fat cells are permanent and will not degrade, unlike fillers which break down with time.
Additionally, body fat is one of the best sources of stem cells, containing growth factors that provide many additional therapeutic benefits. When your provider transfers fat from other areas of your body to volumize your face, they bring stem cells along as well. These stem cells positively impact collateral tissue growth that extends well beyond just the treatment area, contributing to a more comprehensive improvement in your facial harmony.
Dr. Hand will remove fat from donor areas of your body that contain excess body fat and process the cells for reimplantation to tissues in the face.
The many benefits you can expect after fat transfer at Thomas Dermatology include:
The best candidates for fat transfer are individuals who have lost significant facial volume due to aging and need volume spread out over multiple locations to restore the youthful contour of the face. Your Thomas Dermatology provider lets you know if you’re a candidate for fat transfer after discussing your medical history and desired outcome. They complete a physical examination before personalizing a treatment that’s best for you.
While a fat transfer is a good way to eliminate fat from certain parts of your body, the procedure isn't a weight-loss treatment. You should be at or near your ideal weight prior to undergoing fat transfer.
Fat transfers are often performed along with other surgical procedures; each with a defined role to help address the various components of aging. In the case of fat grafting, it is the loss of volume in the fat pads of the face that is being addressed. Your surgeon will identify an appropriate donor site on the body from which to harvest the fat - usually the abdomen, flanks, or thighs. The donor site is anesthetized with local anesthesia, and the fat is removed with a gentle liposuction procedure. Only a small amount of fat, the amount needed for treatment, is removed as the procedure is NOT intended to sculpt the donor area like liposuction.
Once removed, the fat is processed and prepared for reimplantation into the tissues of the face. Paying close attention to detail, your surgeon will instill the fat into the areas you need it the most in order to create a youthful contour.
Recovering from a fat transfer may include some tenderness at the donor and recipient site as well as swelling, bruising, and firmness that usually resolve within the first few weeks of the procedure. Your surgeon will review the recovery process in greater detail during your consultation.
To learn more about fat transfer at Thomas Dermatology and find out if you’re a candidate, call the nearest office or schedule an appointment online today.