A facial fat transfer, or fat grafting, is a cosmetic treatment that uses fat from one area of your body to fill in parts of your face that need volume and rejuvenation. At Murphy Plastic Surgery in Englewood, CO, we can help you get the youthful appearance you want by moving fat deposits from one part of your body to another. This is a simple treatment that is done in our office and provides fantastic results.

Benefits of a Fat Transfer

Younger Appearance

The biggest benefit you will see from your fat graft treatment is that your face suddenly looks years younger. People will not know that you have had a cosmetic treatment done, but they will see that you look amazing. People who don’t know your age will guess that you are younger.

Fuller Face

As you get older, your skin stops producing collagen at the same rate it did before. Collagen is the protein that adds volume and a supple quality to your skin. Without it, you can develop hollow or sunken areas in your skin. Your fat graft will fill in those spaces and give you back a fuller look.

Fewer Wrinkles

Another problem with aging skin is that wrinkles and lines begin to form. This is also because of a lack of collagen as well as a lack of moisture as well as outside influences like the sun and pollutants in the air. Fat deposits will fill in these lines and wrinkles and leave you with soft, smooth skin.

No Rejection

Because the fat that is transferred into your face comes from another part of your body, you will not reject the fat that is implanted. It is naturally yours and will merge seamlessly with the tissues in your face. Using fat from someone else could cause rejections issues.

Lasting Results

The results of this treatment will last several months or up to a year, especially if you follow instructions to keep your skin as healthy as possible. Unlike other facial treatments, you will not need to repeat this treatment every few weeks.

Natural Look

The results of this treatment are effective but also subtle. Your appearance will be completely natural, and it will not be obvious that you have had a cosmetic procedure.

No Downtime

You will not need to take time off work or spend a lengthy amount of time in recovery. You will be able to get on with your life quickly after the treatment is complete.

Lose Fat in Other Areas

If you’d like to lose fat in areas such as your abdomen or thighs, you can choose to have the fat removed from that area. Talk to us about these options when you come in for your consultation and we will help you make that decision.

Process

Consultation

The treatment will begin with a consultation in our office to give you all of the information you need and to determine if this is the right treatment for you. We will ask you some questions to help us understand your concerns about aging and how that has changed your facial features. We will discuss the process with you in detail as well as all of your options when it comes to treatment. We will ask you to tell us what your expectations are as far as results.

We will ask you to bring a complete list of medications you take to your consultation. This should include all prescription and over-the-counter medicines as well as any supplements and vitamins. We will also ask you whether you are a smoker and how much alcohol you regularly drink. We will ask for a medical history and whether you deal with any chronic illnesses or conditions. We will also want to know if you have had any previous cosmetic treatments on your face.

Preparation

On the day of your treatment, we will begin by making sure you will be comfortable throughout the session. In most cases, a local anesthesia is all that is necessary for numbing. We will apply a local anesthetic to both the area where the fat will be harvested and the area where it will be injected.

In some cases, general anesthesia may be necessary. This may apply when large amounts of fat are going to be removed or when there are special circumstances involved in the treatment. We will talk to you about this during your consultation so you know what to expect before you arrive. In addition to anesthesia, a sedative may sometimes be used.

Fat Withdrawl

When it is time to take the fat from the donor area, we will make a small incision. Then we will use a syringe and a tube to pull out the fat. This is similar to liposuction and will pull the fat from the designated area of the body. Where in the body you would like to pull fat from will be determined through consultation between you and the medical team. Many people choose the outer thigh or stomach area.

More fat than necessary is often taken just to ensure that there will be enough. A certain percentage of the fat may not transfer well, so extra fat makes up for that.

Purification

Once the fat has been injected, it must be cleaned and purified before it can be placed into the face. The fat is purified using special tools. Sometimes the fat is placed into a centrifuge to remove any particles. There are other ways of washing and purifying the fat as well. After the fat is cleaned, it must be placed into a syringe to be injected.

Injection

When the fat has been placed into the syringe, it is then injected into the areas of the face that are going to be treated. The fat is usually injected several times over a small space, with injections placing fat in rows that eventually create a grid that will add stability. Sometimes the tissue may be massaged and manipulated to make sure that the fat is moved into place and that the face is properly contoured.

Areas Treated

Face

Under Eyes

The area under the eyes is often a target for a fat transfer. People may have circles under their eyes that create hollow areas. These spots can be plumped out with fat.

Cheeks

Just under the cheekbones is an area of the face that is often shallow after the skin loses its ability to consistently produce collagen. Adding volume to the cheeks will create a younger look.

Lips

Plump lips are a fashionable sign of beauty, and a fat infection can help lips look more full and large.

Nose

The area between the nose and the mouth can be a target for fat implants. When this area is rejuvenated, the skin becomes more supple.

Jawline

Sagging and shallow areas along the jawline can cause the skin to be loose where fatty deposits once existed. This can cause jowls or a double chin. When the fat in these areas is replaced, the skin becomes brighter.

Temples

Sunken areas around the temples develop with dryness and lack of collagen. This can create an older appearance.

Other Areas

Hands

The hands are one part of the body that is susceptible to aging. When the skin becomes thinner and less voluminous, the veins and arteries can be too prominent.

Breasts

Breasts can be lifted and made more full with injections of fat. Many people use this technique to change and mold their breasts.

Buttocks

Fat transfers are used in a treatment called a butt lift. This is where fatty deposits are added to the buttocks to make them appear fuller, higher, and firmer.

Good Candidates

Health

To be a good candidate for this treatment, you should be in generally good health. Certain conditions, especially those that can reduce blood circulation, may mean that this is not the right treatment for you.

Age

The optimal age for this treatment is between 30 and 65, although people of other ages with special circumstances may be candidates. Further examination may be needed to determine that.

Preparation

Smoking

It is best for your face and your overall health if you stop smoking completely. Smoking ages your skin and makes your ability to heal from any treatment more difficult. It also decreases the time you will see the results of your treatment.

If you cannot stop smoking, you will need to refrain for at least a few weeks before your treatment. Your medical team will talk to you about how long to abstain from smoking and help you with some strategies if you need them.

Medication

You will be asked to stop taking certain vitamins, minerals, and supplements in the days leading up to your treatment. Types of medications that may interfere with your treatment are anti-inflammatories and medications that can thin the blood. Be sure to let us know about any medication you are taking or plan to take before your treatment.

Sometimes you may be prescribed a medication or have a medication recommended to you for use after your treatment. If this is the case, obtain this medication before the treatment so you have it when you need it.

Hydration

Keeping yourself hydrated is critical to the success of your treatment. Be sure you are drinking plenty of water to hydrate from the inside. You will also need to use a moisturizer on your face.

Facial Products

Please provide a list of facial products that you use and plan to use before your treatment. This may include serums or cleansing products. If you use certain chemicals or harsh products on your skin, you may need to discontinue the use of these products a few days before treatment.

Other Treatments

If you are planning on having other cosmetic treatments, or if you have recently had a treatment, please let us know. There may be a certain amount of time needed between treatments in order to get the best results. There may also be treatments we can do at the same time as your fat transfer.

Help

Depending on the intensity of your treatment, you may need to arrange for someone to pick you up from your appointment and stay with you for a few hours afterward. If you have a light treatment with a local anesthetic, you may be able to drive yourself home from your appointment.

Younger, Fresher Appearance

You will love the younger, fresher appearance that you get from a fat transfer treatment. Once your skin has been pumped up and rejuvenated, you will be able to enjoy a face that you love. If you want to see smoother, more voluminous skin, contact Murphy Plastic Surgery in Englewood, CO, to schedule a consultation. We will talk to you about the process and help you decide if this is the right treatment for you.

Everyone in Denver, CO should be excited about what they see in the mirror, and we can help get you there!