Why are people interested in fat grafting? For many people, their face is a point of pride. It’s how they show their emotions, express their feelings and show off their personal style. This is why it can be devastating when aging begins to rear its ugly head and make its mark all over their beautiful face. Skin begins to lose its elasticity, gravity takes its tolls, and years of fun in the sun start to wear on a person’s face. For patients who want to look young and vibrant once again, there is a unique, more natural cosmetic option available.
Imagine a procedure in which you can remove excess fat from an unwanted part of your body and then use it to bring that youthful vitality back to your face. It might sound too good to be true, but the good news is it isn’t. The fat grafting procedure has been performed on many patients with great success. Patients are thrilled with the results, and they love that the benefit is two-fold — they lose fat where they don’t want it and put it to good use where it is needed.
Patients from around the world have a multitude of cosmetic procedures done to treat the effects of aging, including facelift procedures, rhinoplasty procedures, and more. However, for patients who want to look younger but do not want a traditional cosmetic surgery, there is the option of fat grafting.
What is Fat Grafting?
Fat grafting is a procedure that came about in response to patients who were looking for more natural alternatives to cosmetic surgery. To put it simply, excess fatty tissue is removed from other parts of a patient’s body where it is unwanted. It is then placed under the layers of skin on a person’s face, filling out loose skin and hollow areas. The result is a natural boost to a person’s face, and the appearance of lines and wrinkles are minimized significantly.
Patients find that this procedure works best on a particular set of problem areas, including wrinkles, cheeks, lower eyelid adjustments, hollow jowls, and lip enhancements. One reason it can be so successful is the use of Platelet Rich Plasma — or PRP — as part of the grafting process. PRP is created from a patient’s own growth factors, so it is entirely natural and not foreign to their body. This unique addition ensures that the graft will be successful.
What is PRP?
The fat grafting procedure begins by removing excess fat from an unwanted area, which is sometimes referred to as the donor site. Most patients opt to take fat from their thighs, hips, abdominal area, or buttocks for this procedure. Then, the fat is then injected with the revolutionary Platelet Rich Plasma, created by using the patient’s own excess body fat and growth factors from their bloodstream. It is a completely natural product that boosts the fat that will be grafted with quick-healing powers that ensure long-lasting results. At the same time, it allows the results to last for a more extended period of time while significantly reducing a patient’s recovery time.
After the PRP has been injected into the fat that will be grafted, the graft is then performed. After the fat has been placed under the facial skin, the cosmetic surgeon can then work on reshaping the face. An expert cosmetic surgeon is able to craft the person’s face so that it looks like it did nearly ten years prior to the procedure.
Who Are The Best Candidates for Fat Grafting?
This is an ideal choice for patients who are hoping to combat some of the following symptoms:
- A gaunt face that has become sallow as the years have come and gone.
- A chubby face that is bottom heavy.
- Asymmetrical features on the face.
- A long face or hollow face.
Fat grafting can be combined with other cosmetic procedures, including the rhinoplasty procedure. Cosmetic surgeons work to ensure that every patient looks naturally young and vibrant once their procedure is complete. Given the fact that this surgery is not as invasive as other cosmetic surgeries, the popularity of fat grafting is increasing. Cosmetic surgeons continue to service more and more patients every year who are hoping to have this cosmetic surgery performed.
What is the Recovery Process Like?
Patients who have the fat grafting procedure done should note that there is a recovery period associated with this particular procedure. Immediately after the operation, some patients might experience bruising and swelling. However, the bruising and swelling will subside quickly, with most people reporting that it has completely disappeared within the first two weeks of the recovery period. Within 7 to 10 days, most patients are able to return to work and their everyday lives. As with any surgical procedure, there will be a recovery period, but most patients find that the results are well worth it in the long run. All patients love when their friends and family tell them how much younger and energized they look.
Patients who are looking for a truly natural alternative may have found just the answer they are looking for in the fat grafting procedure. Contact a cosmetic surgeon’s office today to determine if you are a candidate for this particular procedure. Once you make the phone call, you will be able to set up your free initial consultation appointment, where a custom surgical plan will be created for you.