LIPOFILLING (FACIAL FAT TRANSFER)
Lipofilling (Facial Fat Transfer)
Fat micro-grafting, also known as Facial Fat Transfer, is a cosmetic procedure that combines the body contouring effects of Liposuction with the volume restoration of injectable treatments.
Fat removed from other areas of the body can be injected into the face to treat a wide range of common concerns, including:
- Cheeks that have lost volume or appear hollow.
- Sunken tear troughs below the eyes.
- Thin lips that lack definition.
- Deep forehead wrinkles.
- Glabellar lines between the eyebrows.
- Nasolabial lines around the mouth and nose.
- Weak or under defined chins or jawlines.
- General fine lines and wrinkles throughout the face.
Fat micro-grafting is a natural and safe procedure that produces lifelong results.
Fat micro-grafting begins with Liposuction to remove the fat that will be used for volume restoration. The procedure can be completed under local anaesthesia or with intravenous sedation if only a small amount of fat removal is needed, or under general anaesthesia if Liposuction will constitute a larger portion of the procedure.
Once the patient has been properly numbed, small incisions will be made in the area targeted for fat removal. Common donor sites include the abdomen, thighs, sides and back. A thin metal tube called a cannula is inserted through the incisions to suction out the fat. A back and forth motion is used to separate the fat cells and loosen them for easy removal.
Once enough fat has been removed, the incisions will be closed with stitches.
Micrografting Procedure: Once the fat has been adequately prepared, Dr. med. Strouthou will carefully begin injecting it into the face in the targeted areas. A small amount of fat will be added at a time to gradually build up layers until the desired amount of volume has been reached. Not all the fat that is added to the face will receive a new blood supply from the body. About 60 to 80 percent survive the procedure, while the rest is safely reabsorbed by the body.
The absorption rate will be taken into account during the procedure to ensure patients’ results meet their expectations. If the body absorbs too much of the fat or if patients would like to add more volume, an additional micro-grafting procedure can be completed after 6 months.
Common side effects from fat micro-grafting include swelling, bruising, soreness, and numbness. Most side effects will be localised to the donor sites where fat was removed, but some mild swelling can occur in the face around the injection sites. Side effects will diminish over the course of the first couple of weeks. While results will be immediately noticeable, patients should expect to wait about three months before their final results have developed.
The side effects and length of recovery mostly correspond to the Liposuction portion of the procedure. If only a small amount of fat was removed, the recovery would be quicker and more comfortable. More body contouring will increase the length of the recovery period. Patients should expect to miss one week of work and avoid exercise for two to three weeks.
EN 
EL