Fat Transfer (Micrografting)
Facial fat micrografting (transfer) is an exciting new approach for restoring a youthful appearance. A youthful face is defined by its shape and fullness. Facial volume acts as a scaffold for the skin. As we age, the element of facial fullness is gradually lost. Losing this scaffold results in facial laxity and produces a sunken or deflated facial appearance. Facial fat micrografting recreates a natural, youthful and healthy appearance by restoring facial volume.
During the procedure your own fat is harvested, distilled, and the face is precisely sculpted to restore your youthful appearance. Dr. Steiger's technique meticulously restores your facial tissues to a more youthful state. Facial fat grafting can be performed alone or in conjunction with other facial cosmetic procedures.
Facial fat grafting was performed to this woman's entire face. The before and after photographs illustrate improvement in her eyes, cheeks, temples, brows, and jaw line. Fat grafting produces natural appearing, long-lasting results.
Goals To restore missing facial volume, creating a more youthful appearance.
The Procedure Fat is hand harvested from the body under meticulous technique. The fat is then processed in order to distill it and maintain its viability so that longevity is ensured. The processed fat is then injected into the face in order to restore facial volume. Dr. Steiger's technique for facial fat transfer does not require any incisions.
Anesthesia Sedation/twilight sleep is preferred, however some patients opt for a general anesthetic.
Length of Time Facial fat grafting takes approximately 1-2 hours to perform, depending upon the amount of fat necessary. It is performed in a state of the art, fully accredited outpatient surgical facility or at the hospital. Other procedures can be combined with a fat grafting, and may be recommended after a detailed consultation with Dr. Steiger.
Facial fat transfer was performed on this patient to rebalance and rejuvenate a "deflated" appearance. Notice the more rested, youthful, and natural appearing look achieved with facial fat micrograting alone. No other eyelid surgery or brow lift surgery was performed.
After the Procedure Most patients go home comfortably on the same day and are cared for by their family and/or friends. Professional in-home nursing care is available upon request. Overnight suites with professional nursing care are also available. Our friendly staff will assist you in coordinating these services upon request.
Recovery Recovery time ranges between 1-2 weeks. Depending on your type of work, you may return as early as 1 week. Full, strenuous physical activity should be avoided for 2 weeks after the procedure. Bruising and swelling may occur after surgery, which may be camouflaged with makeup. This generally resolves after 2 weeks. Most patients do not complain of pain after this procedure. We will prescribe analgesics to help alleviate any pain if necessary.
Fat grafting around the eyes can rejuvenate the appearnce of an old-looking, hollow eyelid. Using fat to "cushion" the eye is called framing the eye. As seen in this before and after photo, fat grafting around the eye restores a very natural, youthful appearance.
Facial fat transfer/micrografting is a revolutionary 3-dimensional approach to facial rejuvenation. It is performed to restore lost facial volume. Where most facial cosmetic procedures are designed to nip and tuck (cut away) "sagging tissues," facial fat grafting expands the "sagging tissue," recreating a youthful appearance. It is analogous to inflating a baloon that has lost some of its air. Since fat is a natural body substance, fat transfer can produce remarkable, natural appearing results and turn back the clock on your appearance.
Your pattern of facial aging is analyzed by Dr. Steiger in a 3-dimensional fashion. The areas of missing facial volume are carefully marked for rejuvenation. Fat transfer can be performed around the entire face and temples, as well as in specific areas of your face (ie only around the eyes).
Dr. Steiger commonly performes fat transfer around the eye to restore its youthful appearance. This is called framing the eye, and is an important concept of facial fat transfer. Since the eyes are the focal point of the face, restoring a youthful appearance to this area is essential to looking naturally more youthful. This involves both rejuvenating the eyelid itself, and the transition of the eye with the other components of the face, such as the cheeks and brows.
Fat is also be placed in other areas of the face to rebalance facial proportions. In the prime of our facial youth, the face is generally heart shaped in appearance. As we age, this heart or inverted triangle falls and forms an upright triangle. Dr. Steiger aims to rebalance the face and restore the triangle of youth. Dr. Steiger will determine exactly how to rejuvenate your face during your detailed consultation with him. We ask you to bring in photos of yourself when you were in your 20's in order to help customize your treatment plan.
Dr. Steiger performs facial fat transfer without any facial incisions, preventing any scars.
No. Patients are generally surprised by the minimal amount of pain after the procedure. However, there can be some feeling of discomfort from swelling that occurs after the procedure.
Fat can be harvested from the abdomen (belly), thighs, or several other locations. Once harvested, the fat is carefully processed and purified. The amount of fat removed for facial fat transfer generally does not change body contour or appearance.
Facial fat transfer can be performed on a wide range of ages. For rejuvenation purposes, fat grafting can be performed as soon as facial aging begins to negatively impact your appearance.
Facial fat grafting is a permanent procedure. Fat is a natural, living cell in the human body. When fat transfer is performed, the longevity of the graft depends upon the body accepting it by allowing it to form a new blood supply. Since your own fat is used, the body readily accepts its own fat cells. Once all of the swelling is gone, the fat that is left is permanent.
Many patients see gradual results from this procedure up to 1 year after surgery. They note improvement in not only facial laxity/fullness, but the quality of their skin's appearance as well.