Age, genetics, environmental damage, and weight loss can contribute to volume loss within the face. Dr. Fishman uses fat transfer, or treatment to move fat from one place on the body to another, to rejuvenate facial features; she often transfers and grafts fat to hollow temples and cheeks, chin, lips, and hands.
Your own fat is living tissue and carries with it wonderful rejuvenative qualities; in addition to plumping lips or restoring a more youthful contour to the face, fat commonly improves the texture and appearance of the skin. A living filler, fat transfer can provide a longer treatment duration than injectable fillers such as Juvederm and Restylane.
Dr. Fishman performs fat grafting under local or general anesthesia, depending on your needs, aesthetic goals, and other planned concurrent procedures. During fat transfer and fat grafting surgery, Dr. Fishman harvests fat from your abdomen, flanks, or thighs via liposuction, purifies the fat, and injects it into the planned treatment areas (including temples, cheeks, lips, jawlines and chins, earlobes, and hands). She works through tiny and inconspicuous incisions both to harvest and reimplant the fat, and closes these incisions with small sutures. Stitches are usually removed at 5-7 days after surgery.
Hands down the best experience I have had in any doctor's experience. Dr. Fishman performed a buccal fat reduction and fat transfer to contour my face, and at first I was very nervous as I was told I could get the procedure without the need for general anesthesia--I would not be asleep for the procedure. However, this fear soon diminished as the office was so welcoming and Dr. Fishman made sure I was comfortable for the entire duration (including before/after) of my transformation. I am excited for my future visits and I will be back!
- Sarah, Fat Grafting & Transfer patient, Atlanta, GA
Dr. Fishman uses tiny incisions to harvest the fat with liposuction and graft or transfer the fat to the treated areas. With good post-operative care, these incisions become essentially imperceptible scars.
Fat grafting and fat transfer surgery is associated with a mild-moderate degree of discomfort, with most patients describing a bruised or sore sensation at the areas treated with liposuction. Most of Dr. Fishman’s patients report not requiring pain medication 2-3 days after surgery.
Depending on anesthesia type, Dr. Fishman’s patients are able to get up and move about immediately or in a few hours after surgery. Most patients return to work or school approximately 1 week after surgery.
When fat grafting and fat transfer surgery is a cosmetic procedure used to enhance the face and body, it is not typically covered by health insurance. Fat transfer to improve the appearance of scars may be covered by certain medical insurance plans. Please check with your insurance provider for correct information about your coverage. Also, at Aviva Plastic Surgery, we offer financing to help you pay for treatments. Ask about financing after your consult with Dr. Fishman.
Most common side effects include temporary swelling, bruising, lumpy sensation, and discomfort of the treated areas. Risks of fat transfer are rare, and include infection, scarring, and need for revision.
After surgery, you should expect the following symptoms and adhere to these instructions:
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