Facial Fat Transfer – New Orleans

Fat grafting is a process in which donor fat is taken from one part of the body and transferred to another. Common uses for fat grafting are in buttock augmentation and facial rejuvenation.

The removal of fat is called harvesting from what is known as the donor site. While fat is distributed all over the body, certain areas of the body make better donor sites than others. The “love handles” on the sides of the torso and abdomen are generally the sites most often used. The fat located here is usually abundant, even in men and women who are relatively lean. The fat in this area also tends to be the hardiest, and it is thought that the fat harvested from these areas may translate into better incorporation and longevity in the transfer process.

Fat is aspirated through a very small incision placed in an area that is hidden easily with minimal scaring such as the hip or inside the belly button. A small cannula is inserted under the skin and moved back and forth as it breaks up the fat through this incision. Attached to the end of the cannula is a syringe that serves as a collection tube, generating a negative pressure and acts as a mini vacuum.

For facial fat grafting and other low-volume areas, fat transfer should not leave a dent or divot since the amount of fat transferred is relatively small. Considering that liposuction of the “love handles” can yield up to 600 cc of fat, the 30—80 cc of fat harvested for grafting is almost negligible when it comes to making a visible difference at the donor site.

Most cosmetic surgery clinics, including Etre, perform fat-grafting in-house. This means the surgery is done in the clinic, and there is no need to go to a hospital.

One session is generally all that is needed for patients to get their desired results from facial fat grafting in New Orleans. While some extreme cases may require two visits, this is very rare.

Most fat transfers in New Orleans take between thirty minutes to two hours. Again, this depends entirely upon the individual case and will be clarified with your operating surgeon before beginning the treatment. 

During the process, patients will not feel any sensation as the procedure is conducted under local anesthetic – some patients even do fine with light oral sedation. 

Most patients experience discomfort for forty-eight hours following the treatment, at which time the majority of swelling has subsided. Oral pain management will be administered according to the patient’s requirements, and it will be at least seven days before you can return to your regular schedule.

Because not all cells live, the “take” varies. However, the fat that does survive will be permanent in most cases. If the fat cells integrate and become part of one’s body, as is the goal of fat transfer, then the results are long-lasting for those cells.

Downtime for fat grafting is generally cosmetic in nature—it is a surface operation. Fat is injected into the tissues below the skin and above any major organ or vessel. The time needed off work is strictly related to the area treated and how the patient feels about the swelling and bruising.

 With facial fat grafting, you can expect swelling and possible bruising for up to seven days. Residual mild swelling may reside for another week or two.

The cost of your fat transfer depends on the number of treated areas and the amount of fat removed and transferred during the harvesting process. Your board-certified cosmetic dermatologists will provide you with an accurate cost estimate during your consultation.