Liposculpture (Lipotransfer) or Fat Transfer
As we age, we lose volume. Imagine a baby, brimming with youth, and the full features and soft transitions of the face. As time and gravity exert their effects, these transitions become more pronounced as soft tissue volume slowly dissipates. The transition from face to lip (the nasolabial fold or melolabial fold), the junction of the lower eyelid and cheek (the nasojugal fold, or "tear trough"), and the progression of the jowl to the chin (the marionette line), all tend to become accentuated by shadow as we age. Elsewhere on the face, full cheeks may lose their prominence, and lips may seem to thin and wrinkle. Restoring volume to smooth these transition zones and to refill areas where fullness has been lost is a wonderful solution that minimizes the effects of age, and restores youth and beauty. There are a variety of "fillers" that can be used to replenish lost facial volume: injectable fillers, such as Restylane and Juvederm, and your own tissue filler, fat. Fat cells can be harvested as fat grafts from your own body and injected to smooth wrinkles and other areas in need of volume.
Lipotransfer , Liposculpture or Lipofilling is one of the most exciting new techniques in cosmetic surgery. In this novel approach to fat transfer, fat is removed from one area (usually the hips or buttocks) and then injected into other areas of the body. Thus, we recycle fat from one area (where we don't want it) to an area that we do. Fat fills from the bottom up, similar to padding underneath a carpet. Thus, it gives a soft filling effect, unlike other filler substances. Also, because fat is part of the normal human body, it is not palpable under the skin.
Known as autologous fat transplantation, fat transfer, autologous fat grafts, or mico-lipo injection, fat cells are gently removed from the abdomen, thighs, or buttocks, prepared as fat grafts, and transferred to problem areas of the face or elsewhere. Fat transfer or autologous fat grafts can be used to rejuvenate the face by softly filling folds and wrinkles, to restore volume to your lips, to highlight cheek areas that have become less pronounced, and to fill areas in need virtually anywhere on the body. Fat grafts can be used to refresh tired, aged hands, and can also be used to replenish or add volume to arms, buttocks, and elsewhere. As fat grafts are fat cells from your own body, it is the most natural filler choice. Fat grafts are often performed in conjunction with other procedures, such as liposuction, facelift, blepharoplasty (eyelid lift), and other facial and body plastic surgery procedures.
Fat is frequently used to structurally augment the bony structures of the face. It can be injected along the cheekbones, the apples of the cheeks and along the jaw line. Fat can also be used toaugment the face. When augmenting areas such as the cheekbones and jaw line and chin areas, the face will have a more lifted appearance. Frequently, multiple areas will be injected to achieve the best result possible.
The advantage to this procedure is that over time some of the correction becomes permanent. It is unclear whether the fat cells actually graft, or whether the body responds with a process called fibroplasia where the body lays down new cells and collagen. We do have biopsies of patients who have had this procedure done which show both live fat cells as well as fibroplastic response.
Liposculpture Technique
There are many different techniques in which fat is injected. Some surgeons do a single procedure where multiple injections of fresh fat are performed on that day. There is usually a significant amoung of fat injected and swelling can last for weeks. Others remove a large quantity of fat at one visit, inject a small to moderate amount that day and freeze the remaining fat. The fat can then be defrosted and injected as needed, usually at monthly visits. The results, as well as the side effects, will be dependent upon the technique used.
In our technique, with local anesthesia, a volume of fat is removed with a mini-liposuction session and some fresh fat is injected. After the initial injection of fresh fat, there is typically some mild swelling for 3-4 days. Most people feel it looks similar to having had a dental procedure performed. Thereafter, a small amount of fat is injected monthly. This allows for a layering of the fat over time. It is also helpful to correct asymmetries, which are present in every persons face.
Recovery
When you leave, the area will have a complete correction, but should not look over done. There is a small chance of getting a bruise, thus we ask patients not to schedule their injection the week prior to any major event such as a television appearance, wedding, etc. Over the year, approximately 30%-40% will become permanent. We can show you pictures of how patients look one year after their final fat injection and you will still see an improvement in their face. Depending on the amount of correction wanted, some people do two years worth of treatments to optimize their outcome.
Risk of Liposculpture
As with any procedure there are risks associated with it. There will be a small scar at the site of fat removal. When injected, there is a small chance of swelling or bruising, infection, and in rare cases scar.
More Before & After Pictures