As you grow older, the loss of collagen, elastin, and fat tissues from the contours of your face can lead to a sunken and hollow appearance. Dr. Vial believes that restoring volume to the face is an essential component of facial rejuvenation. He’s trained in advanced fat grafting techniques that harvest unwanted fat tissues from other areas of the body to volumize the face.
What is fat grafting?
Facial fat grafting, also known as autologous fat transfer, is a cosmetic procedure for facial rejuvenation. This procedure involves harvesting unwanted fat cells from other parts of your body via liposuction and injecting them into the face. This is one of the most natural and effective means of restoring volume to the face and softening the appearance of facial creases and fine lines. Since fat grafting is performed using your own fat tissues, there’s no risk of allergic reactions.
What does fat grafting treat?
- Loss of volume in the cheeks
- Loss of volume in the temples
- Hollows and bags under the eyes
- Deep creases around the nose and mouth
- Facial creases, wrinkles, and folds
- Thin Lips
Who is a candidate for fat grafting:
In general, candidates for fat grafting:
- Are in good physical and mental health
- Do not have underlying medical conditions that preclude surgery
- Are non-smokers or are willing to stop smoking one month before and one month after the procedure
- Do not use nicotine products, or are willing to stop using products one month before and one month after the procedure (gum, chews, patch, vape)
- Are not exposed to second-hand smoke
- Have adequate fat tissues in the donor areas, such as the abdomen, flanks, or upper thighs
- Have sunken cheeks or temples and prominent facial creases
- Have realistic expectations from the surgery
- Want to reverse the signs of facial aging
How is fat grafting performed?
Your facial rejuvenation journey will start with a consultation with Dr. Vial. He will listen to your concerns and expectations, examine your face, and inform you about your fat grafting options. Dr. Vial curates a customized treatment plan for your face to ensure results that address your specific goals.
Fat grafting is an outpatient procedure performed under sedation anesthesia. It involves two primary components — liposuction and fat injections. Fat cell survival from fat grafting can vary from patient to patient, so you may need additional sessions to improve results.
Liposuction
Dr. Vial inserts a thin tube called a cannula into the donor area, i.e., the part of the body with excess fat tissues, such as the abdomen or thighs. He extracts the desired volume of fat tissues from the donor area. The fat is processed for injection.
Fat Injections
After purifying the fat, Dr. Vial carefully injects it into the targeted regions of your face, such as the cheeks and jawline. The fat cells gradually settle into the face, thereby enhancing the facial volume and filling in fine lines, wrinkles, and creases.
What is the
recovery process
after fat grafting?
How you recover in the three months after your surgery determines the outcome for years to come. Dr. Vial will provide a list of step-by-step recovery guidelines after your surgery. You will experience swelling at the injection site, which should gradually dissipate in 1-2 weeks. The results of the procedure are immediately visible. Most patients can resume normal activities in 1-2 weeks. Bruising resolves in 2-3 weeks and can be covered with makeup.
View Before and After Photos
What are the risks of fat grafting?
Dr. Vial prioritizes safety above all else and performs your fat grafting using the safest surgical techniques. He only works with board-certified anesthesiologists and certified nurses to ensure optimal and consistent results. However, all surgeries, including fat grafting, carry inherent risks that Dr. Vial will discuss during your consultation.
The complications unique to fat grafting that are reported nationally include, but are not limited to:
- Asymmetry
- Over or under correction
Why choose Dr. Vial for your fat grafting?
Dr. Vial is a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive training and experience in facial surgery. He has trained at the world’s best institutions where many of these procedures continue to be advanced. He makes safety a top priority and has developed a reputation for beautiful, natural results.
