Facial Fat Transfer in McLean and Northern Virginia

Nowadays, there are several options that can refresh the contours and fullness of your face; however, fat grafting to the face is increasing in popularity because of its natural results and long-lasting benefits for the skin. Loss of volume, most commonly due to aging, is usually most pronounced in the areas around the jawline, cheeks, and eyes. A facial fat transfer may be used to minimize some of the most common signs of aging, and it increases fullness by smoothing facial wrinkles and folds with your own fatty tissue. By taking excess fat from areas of your body, plastic surgeon Dr. Alex Mesbahi can carefully place the fat to the desired sections of your face for beautiful, long-lasting results. With an autologous fat transfer to the face, you don't just see a refreshed facial appearance, you get to improve your body. To find out more about a facial fat transfer, contact Mesbahi Plastic Surgery in McLean, VA, Washington, D.C., or Beverly Hills, CA to make an appointment with Dr. Mesbahi.

Wrinkles and hollow areas are among the first signs of aging people notice, and they can make you look tired or angry. A facial fat transfer can improve these areas and more to create a youthful appearance. The benefits of a facial fat transfer at Mesbahi Plastic Surgery include:

• Safe: When your own fat is used for the procedure, there is no risk of allergic reaction or rejection.
• Long-lasting: The transplanted fat cells survive in their new location and continue to function normally. The outcomes of your facial fat transfer can last for many years.
• Natural: No synthetic materials are used for this procedure, so you can expect results that look and feel completely natural.

A fat transfer to the face can help if you want to add volume that looks natural to specific areas of your top, mid, or lower face. Transferring fat to your face can improve wrinkles, like laugh lines, smile lines, and Crow's feet. Grafted fat may also improve the appearance of acne scars and pitted contours. You may also enhance your cheeks and lips for a more youthful appearance. Similar to the results of a wrinkle filler injection, like JUVÉDERM, a fat transfer is a good choice if you want longer-lasting results. In order to be a candidate for facial fat grafting, you should have enough excess fat to meet your goals.

Facial fat grafting is a two-part procedure that includes liposuction and placement. Since only a minimal amount of fat is removed and grafted, Dr. Mesbahi typically uses local or twilight anesthesia. To begin, Dr. Mesbahi will use liposuction to extract fat, which will probably be taken from your flanks, abdomen, or hips. When the fat is harvested, it will be purified and then placed in syringes. Dr. Mesbahi will use different injection angles and techniques to provide the highest immersion rate into your skin, as well as to create evenness. According to your plan, fat may be transferred to your lips, cheeks, and/or beneath your eyes to create volume, as well as to correct wrinkles, lines, and facial scars.

After your fat transfer, your liposuction incisions will be closed and cleaned before you're sent into recovery. Dr. Mesbahi or someone on our team will apply wound coverings and monitor you until you can be taken home by a family member or friend. Follow-up appointments will need to be made at Mesbahi Plastic Surgery so Dr. Mesbahi can monitor your healing and results. Your recovery will be different based on the amount of fat that is taken and transferred, but you need to plan to spend a couple of weeks resting for optimal healing. After your procedure, you will experience some discomfort, swelling, and bruising at the area(s) that received liposuction and transfer sites on your face. You may notice a little improvement right away, but it will take a few weeks until you will be able to see your final results. A small amount of fat might be reabsorbed by your body, but with appropriate care, your results should last for several years.

Should I get a dermal filler or fat transfer?
Both a fat transfer to the face and an injectable wrinkle filler (for example, JUVÉDERM) may improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as restore volume. Although fillers can give you beautiful results, a facial fat transfer typically lasts longer and looks more natural. To help you decide on how much fat you want added and where, Dr. Mesbahi may suggest using dermal fillers. Once you've decided what you want, Dr. Mesbahi will perform a facial fat transfer for results that last years instead of months.

Can facial fat grafting be combined with another procedure?
Facial fat grafting can be performed with a nonsurgical treatment, such as BOTOX (a wrinkle relaxer) or a skin treatment (for example, BroadBand Light Therapy). A fat transfer has also become a popular treatment to enhance another cosmetic surgery. A fat graft will increase the volume that helps to improve the balance of your face during a facelift, chin augmentation, or cheek enhancement. Talk to Dr. Mesbahi during your consultation about your needs and wants so he can create a plan with nonsurgical and surgical treatments that help to reach all of your goals.

How long does facial fat grafting take?
The procedure time for a facial fat graft will depend on how much fat is being removed, as well as the volume needed to attain the desired result. When your plan is developed in your consultation, Dr. Mesbahi can go over what you can expect, including how long it will take. Dr. Mesbahi takes his time to carefully graft thin layers of fat with advanced techniques so your outcomes are natural.

Which areas of the face can be improved with fat grafting?
Facial fat grafting may be used in a number of locations to increase volume or soften lines. A fat transfer is designed to augment or enhance the mid-face or cheeks so that this area appears lifted and fuller without having to undergo surgery. Additionally, fat may also be used to add volume to your lips. You can also get a fat graft to improve the sunken or hollow areas under your eyes. A fat transfer to your face may also treat acne scars and wrinkles (marionette lines or brow furrows). Dr. Mesbahi will create your unique treatment plan to focus on your concerns and aesthetic goals.

How long do the results of a facial fat transfer last?
Results are generally long-lasting, as the transferred fat integrates with existing facial tissues. However, some fat may be reabsorbed by the body over time, and touch-up treatments may be necessary.

Will there be visible scars after a facial fat transfer?
Scarring is minimal, as the procedure involves small incisions for fat extraction and injection. These incisions typically heal well and become barely noticeable over time.

A fat transfer is an incredible way to increase volume, smooth dynamic lines, and enhance your beautiful profile. When you desire a more youthful, radiant look with a short recovery, we encourage you to learn more about facial fat grafting at Mesbahi Plastic Surgery to find out how it can help you achieve your desired appearance. It is an excellent option for men and women who want a natural alteration and lasting results. Call our McLean, VA, Washington, D.C., or Beverly Hills, CA practice today to set up your appointment with Dr. Mesbahi for this exciting procedure.