BALTIMORE, MD
Fat Transfer
What is a Fat Transfer?
Facial volume loss is part of the aging process. Fat transfer can help restore facial volume to achieve a long-lasting youthful, natural look.
Facial plastic surgeon Dr. Samuel Hahn of the Maryland Center for Facial Plastic Surgery performs fat transfer for patients throughout Baltimore, Towson, Columbia, and surrounding communities.
As we age, collagen and elastin fibers in our skin and underlying soft tissue weaken, resulting in visible wrinkles and folds. Additionally, loss of bony support and atrophy of fat and muscles result in deep facial lines and a hollowed appearance to the face. Fat grafting or fat transfer is the process of taking fat tissue from other areas in the body such as the abdomen or thighs, purifying the fat, and injecting the fat in areas of volume loss or deepened folds to augment and rejuvenate the face.
It can be used to smoothen the deep lines around the mouth and cheeks such as the nasolabial folds or fill in hollowed areas around the eyes, cheeks, or temples. Additionally, fat transfer can add subtle volume around the lips, jawline, chin, and other areas of the face to provide a smoother, youthful appearance.
In addition to filling out wrinkles in the face, the purified fat injections are rich with stem cells that enhance the blood circulation in the tissues resulting in rejuvenation of the skin and decreased pigment irregularities caused by sun exposure and the aging process.
What are the Benefits of a Fat Transfer?
Fat transfer provides patients with a long-lasting structural filler for improving facial volume in a minimally invasive manner. This procedure allows you to use your own stem-cell-rich fatty tissue to restore a more youthful facial contour as well as improve your skin quality.
Facial fat transfer may replace the need for dermal filler injections (such as Juvéderm® or Restylane®) and rejuvenate your face from the inside out in a very natural and scarless manner.
The benefits of facial fat transfer and facial fat injections include:
Reduced deep lines and wrinkles such as smile lines
Restored youthful facial contour
Improved skin quality
Decreased risk of reaction (use your own fat cells)
Significantly longer-lasting results compared to traditional dermal fillers
How Is a Fat Transfer Performed?
The fat transfer procedure involves a donor site (typically the abdomen) and the treatment site on the face. The fat is removed from the donor site via liposuction, and then processed to remove excess fluid and concentrate the stem-cell-rich fat cells.
The purified fat cells are then carefully injected into the designated treatment areas in thin layers. When performed this way, results look more natural and last longer.
Am I a Good Candidate for a Fat Transfer?
Many factors determine the best cosmetic procedures for facial rejuvenation. You must have an area with an adequate volume of fat to use as a donor site during the surgical procedure.
The ideal candidate for fat grafting procedures will desire volume enhancement in hollowing areas of the face or to address contour irregularities. If you have used injectable fillers, a fat transfer technique offers a more permanent alternative to achieve an increase in volume.
Additionally, planned weight loss may decrease the likelihood of fat survival after treatment and may affect the results.
Most important are your personal goals and desires for your treatment. During your consultation, Dr. Samuel Hahn will provide an individualized assessment and treatment plan to determine if you are a suitable candidate for this facial procedure.
BEFORE & AFTER
Gallery
Our unrivaled results
speak for themselves.
Downtime & Recovery
After your fat transfer procedure, you may experience some swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the treated areas. This is a normal part of the recovery process and typically resolves within a week or two.
It is advised to avoid strenuous activities and exercise for a few weeks to allow your body to heal properly. Applying cold compresses to the treated areas can help reduce swelling and discomfort. Dr. Hahn may also recommend wearing a compression garment to support the treated areas and aid in the healing process.
The downtime and recovery period after a fat transfer procedure can vary depending on the extent of the treatment and individual healing factors. However, most patients can resume their normal activities within a week or two.
Some results will be noticeable immediately after the procedure; however, it will take several weeks for the results to show. As the swelling subsides and the transferred fat settles into its new location, you will start to see the full effects of the treatment.
How Much Does a Fat Transfer Cost?
The cost of the procedure will depend on the extent of treatment necessary to achieve the ideal result. During your consultation with Dr. Hahn, we will provide you with a clear breakdown of costs and explain your payment options.
Restore Youthful Contours with a Fat Transfer!
Dr. Samuel Hahn is a board-certified plastic surgeon who works with each patient to determine the best-personalized treatment plan to achieve natural-looking results. Men and women in Baltimore, Towson, and Columbia communities can trust Maryland Center for Facial Plastic Surgery for fat transfer.
Contact us today to schedule your personal consultation!