Turn Back the Clock with Micro Fat Grafting

Facial fat grafting is designed to correct age-related volume loss in the face using your own fat. This will result in a rejuvenated, full, youthful face.

What Is Facial Fat Grafting?

Facial fat grafting transplants fat (typically harvested from the patient’s abdominal area or outer or inner thighs) to the face. Facial fat grafting is typically performed on patients who have significant volume loss in their cheeks, temples or under-eye areas (i.e., nasojugal deformities or tear trough grooves).

Since patients’ own fat is used, there is no risk of allergic reaction as seen with synthetic dermal fillers or facial implants. Another advantage of fat grating is that since the fat is transplanted from one area of the body to the face, the results are permanent. Some of the grafted fat will get absorbed; however, the majority of the volume remains in place.

Is Facial Fat Grafting Right for Me?

If you have mild to moderate facial volume loss, it’s unlikely that Dr. Ghafouri will recommend facial fat grafting. You must be in good general health. During your initial consultation with Dr. Ghafouri, you will explore all of the options available to you.

The Facial Fat Grafting Procedure

Facial fat grafting is typically performed in an outpatient surgery setting. The procedure is performed with local anesthesia via injection, and no general anesthesia is needed.

First, Dr. Ghafouri will anesthetize the donor region of the body, where there is excess fat. For most people, this will typically be near the navel, the side of the abdominal area or the inner or outer thighs. A small incision is made to allow a suction device to harvest the required fat. Once the fat is gathered, it is processed and prepared into a substance similar to an injectable dermal filler.

Once the fat is harvested and prepared, Dr. Ghafouri will inject the fat into your face using a series of microcannulas. The fat is injected into different layers of the face. Dr. Ghafouri will have pre-selected and prepared the injection sites before the surgery. The aim of the injections is to restore, not change, your face’s natural shape and appearance. For most patients, fat injections will occur around the cheekbone, jawline, eyelid and temple area.

The injection process is almost identical to that of a dermal filler injection. Dr. Ghafouri uses a special microcannula to keep your post-operative bruising and swelling to a minimum.

What Is the Recovery Like After Facial Fat Grafting?

As this is a surgical procedure, the recovery time is longer than a non-surgical treatment option. There will be some degree of swelling and bruising at the injection sites. It may take up to two weeks for swelling and bruising to go away. There is only minimal discomfort after the surgery.

What Other Options Exist?

If you’re interested in the benefits of facial fat grafting but feel that a surgical solution is not right for you, you can look into injectable dermal fillers. Injectable fillers are designed to restore your face’s natural volume and youthful appearance. Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are safe, stable and predictable. Most HA dermal fillers typically last 8 months to one year. All HA fillers are easily dissolvable with the use of a special enzyme.

Simultaneous Cosmetic Procedures

It’s common for patients undergoing facial fat grafting to avail themselves of other cosmetic procedures at the same time. For example, eyelid surgery (upper or lower eyelid blepharoplasty, mini facelift, and CO2 laser skin resurfacing are often performed at the same time as facial fat grafting.

Given that facial fat grafts take some time to settle, and may have some degree of absorption, there is a small chance that an individual might need additional injectable fillers on top of the fat graft to enhance the results.

Contact Us to Learn More About Facial Fat Grafting

If you suffer from significant facial volume loss, please feel free to inquire with our office about facial fat grafting. Micro fat injection is one of the most effective ways to address serious facial volume loss permanently — even better, it uses your body’s own fat instead of synthetic materials. With Dr. Ghafouri’s experience and expertise, you will enjoy the benefits of this cosmetic surgery.

To learn more about eyelid surgery and the financing options we offer, schedule an appointment with us. Contact Arizona Oculoplastic Specialists by calling (480) 905-1010 today.