3D Facial Fat Grafting
For years patients have undergone traditional facelifts that primarily consisted of pulling the skin up and outward, cutting away the “excess” skin, and suturing it. Patients fear that traditional facelifts may result in a “different” facial personality and with repeated surgery a “skeletal” look.
A new paradigm of facial aging is now better understood. Our faces lose volume of fat as we age. So like a deflating beach ball we develop loose skin that drapes over our facial bone structures. The key to re-establishing a natural, refreshed, more youthful look is to replace this volume. A 3 Dimensional approach by transplanting “living” fat cells from another part of the body to the face results in a restoration of facial volume. The result is a more vibrant, healthy appearance.
“Fat Bags” under the eyes is often misunderstood as the increased growth of fat. In many cases the culprit is actually the loss of a more superficial layer of fat from the upper cheek area (Malar Fat Pad) that unmasks the underlying fat pad just below the eyes. Facial Fat 3-D Grafting of the superficial layer of fat just under the eyes as well as beneath the upper eyebrow region can result in a more natural open awake look for the patient as opposed to a “surprised” look that may accompany more traditional surgery.
At the time of consultation Dr. Tom will evaluate the areas of concern and as well as where the fat cells will be recovered.
3-D Facial Fat Grafting is performed completely under local anesthesia without scalpels. Through small needle puncture sites fat cells will be suctioned from the donor site (i.e. Abdomen, flanks, or thigh areas). The recovered fat cells will then be placed through a thin blunt needle into the appropriate areas to restore the 3-dimensional architecture of the face.
It may take several injection sessions to achieve a long lasting effect. Facial fat graft transfers have been reported to achieve effects from three to eight years from the initial procedure.
The below before and after photos document the natural, more refreshed look that can be achieved with 3-D Facial Fat Grafting.
An example of patient evaluation with a photo from 20 years prior, then before and after photos over a period of time post 3-D Facial Fat Grafting.
Note how her after photo demonstrates a more natural fullness of youth.
The below patient complained about the “Bags under my eyes”. She was treated with two sessions of 3-D Facial Fat Grafting.
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