AUTOLOGOUS FAT INJECTIONS

As we age, our faces begin to show the effects of gravity, sun exposure, and years of movement including smiling and squinting. One of the most common signs of aging is facial volume loss or descent, causing hollowing around the eyes, loss of cheek volume, sunken-in temples and an overall change in your face shape resulting in an aged, tired appearance.

In some cases, a severe “skeletonization” effect may occur. For these patients, a lifting procedure may not be enough. For patients who wish to transform their faces but are not ready for more invasive procedures such as a facelift, rhinoplasty, or brow lift surgery, Dr. Romita offers facial fat transfer to produce a younger-looking and more defined appearance. 

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A minimally invasive procedure, Autologous Fat Injections not only adds fullness to the desired area but also transfers our body’s stem cells to that area to aid rejuvenation. The results are instant, reducing facial wrinkles and fine lines, adding volume to the cheeks and lips and reducing dark areas under the eyes, therefore, regaining a vibrant, youthful appearance. 

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Facial contouring with fat injections is the longest-lasting treatment and the most cost-effective option for restoration of volume loss, rejuvenation, and enhancement. It is an ideal non-allergenic soft tissue filler, in comparison to conventional dermal filler. Ideal candidates are patients who are looking to replace the loss of subcutaneous fat in the face due to aging or trauma, such as scarring. Other names for this treatment include facial fat transfer, facial fat grafting, autologous fat transfer, fat injection, lipo-filling, or facial fat injection.

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How it works:

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The first step in the fat transfer process is the removal of fat tissue via a procedure known as liposuction, under local anesthesia using a thin cannula from the donor site(s) of your choice. The fat is then purified before being strategically placed within the skin layers and parts of the face to create the desired look. Possible donor sites include arms, back, abdomen, flanks (love handles), inner and outer thighs, and knees.

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How long will it take?

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Fat transfer is performed in Dr. Romita’s office in a single treatment session on an outpatient basis. The procedure usually takes 30 minutes to an hour or more, depending on the patient, the volume to be injected, and additional procedures that are being completed concurrently.

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Most patients are able to return to work within 5-7 days after the procedure. Any mild discomfort can be managed with oral pain medication administered over the first few post-op days.

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Pre-Procedure:

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In advance of your procedure, your surgeon will ask you to

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• Stop smoking at least six weeks before the procedure to avoid poor wound healing and scarring.

• Avoid taking aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs: Advil, Motrin, Aleve) and vitamins/homeopathic regimens that can increase bleeding.

• Regardless of the type of procedure to be performed, hydration is very important before and after for safe recovery.

   

Post-Procedure:

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After the procedure, you will be able to drive home on your own, as local anesthetic avoids the usual post-op symptoms associated with general anesthesia. The recovery takes a few days, with some swelling and bruising. There may be soreness at the donor site. During recovery, you may wear makeup to disguise the effects of the procedure and sunscreen (at least 30SPF+) to protect your results

Results:

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Generally, about 69% of the grafted and injected fat cells will survive and the rest will be absorbed by the body. The results are often instant and can last years, with touch-ups along the way to boost results.

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For results that will last years, patients usually receive three or four treatments over a six-month period. This procedure also offers the added benefit of skin and scar rejuvenation due to the positive effects of the stem cells present in the fat.

Before & After

Click photo to enlarge