One of the best procedures available today for anyone losing volume and shape in their face or jawline is the fat transfer procedure from the Boston Center for Facial Rejuvenation. The minimally invasive technique can quickly restore a youthful, happy, and healthy appearance by replacing diminishing stores of fatty tissue. The fat transfer process has been used for decades in both reconstructive and cosmetic surgery and continues to grow in popularity for aesthetic results. Also known as micro-lipoinjections, fat injections offer long-lasting results, making the technique an excellent alternative to dermal fillers.
Fat Transfer Injections Can:
- Add fullness to features by replacing lost volume
- Significantly improve facial contours, revise scars, and rejuvenate the appearance
- Plump and contour sunken ‘hollow’ areas under the eyes and cheeks
- Be performed without a need for sedation or general anesthesia
- Eliminate the risk of allergic reactions
- Provide immediate results with little downtime
- Offer long-lasting benefits
Fat transfer injections use your own fatty tissue to safely and naturally plump up facial features. The non-allergenic procedure restores a youthful appearance, creating more fullness and volume in your cheeks, lips, and chin, as well as improving fine lines and deep facial folds. The technique will correct atrophic aging of the hands, neck, and lips. With an abundance of growth factors and vital proteins, a fat transfer can also improve the overall quality of the targeted skin. Best of all, fat transfer results will last for many years, replacing the need for continued maintenance procedures.
The Fat Transfer Injections Procedure
The length of each fat transfer procedure will depend on the individual patient, the area(s) being addressed, and the extent of correction. Most procedures take an hour or less. Dr. Miller’s fat transfer will be performed using either local anesthesia with or without IV sedation.
To begin the fat transfer process, Dr. Miller will use mini-liposuction to remove the desired amount of fat from a donor area. This is often the abdomen, thighs, or buttocks. Once the tissue has been collected, it will be placed in a specialized centrifuge, separating the fat cells from the other components. The purified cells are then re-injected into the target area, creating the desired contour and fullness. Depending on the treatment area, this process may be repeated one or more times over the next 18 months, ensuring optimal results without the risk of looking inflated or overfilled.
Face: A facial fat transfer is designed to plump lines and creases on the face. Deep nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and Crow’s Feet can be addressed. This technique will also improve the look of acne scarring, ‘hollow’ areas under the eyes, and sunken cheeks.
Lips: Fat injections can create natural-looking volume and shape for thinning lips. Dr. Miller’s meticulously placed fat injections can provide symmetry, naturally plumping the lips and creating more defined lip borders.
Hands: Aging hands can be dramatically rejuvenated using fat transfer injections. With age or illness, a loss of fat can leave the hands looking boney and wrinkled. Fat transfer injections will plump up the lax tissue, covering the once visible vessels and tendons for more youthful looking hands.
Fat transfer injections can be performed alone to achieve healthy-looking, youthful volume and shape for the face, lips, neck, and hands. Additionally, the procedure can be paired with other techniques, such as Dr. Miller’s natural facelift, for optimal results. A fat transfer can easily be included in the same surgical procedure, maximizing the benefits with minimal downtime. During the consultation appointment, Dr. Miller will recommend the technique(s) necessary to achieve the desired aesthetic results.
Fat Transfer Injections Recovery
Fat transfer injections require little downtime. However, the duration of each individual’s recovery will depend on a variety of factors including the specific areas of treatment. Initially, there will be mild bruising and swelling both along the liposuction site and the area receiving the injections. To reduce swelling and fluid buildup, a compression garment may need to be worn around the donor site. Most patients are looking and feeling well enough to return to work a day or two after their fat transfer. While light daily activities can be resumed almost immediately, strenuous exercise should be postponed for the first three to four weeks.
Fat Transfer Injections Results
A fat transfer can provide significant cosmetic enhancement for the face and hands. The treated area will immediately look more sculpted. As any post-op swelling resolves, the benefits of treatment will continue to improve. An additional benefit of the fat transfer process is a rejuvenation of the skin’s texture and tone. Over time, as the growth factors integrate into the tissue, the skin will look fresher and more youthful.
As the transferred fatty tissue is made up of living cells, which adhere to the existing tissue and continue to thrive, results from the process can last for years. This is a meticulous procedure and successful results will depend on the surgeon’s skill. Dr. Miller’s patients will generally see a 60-80% retention of transferred fat. For this reason, a second or third procedure is normally scheduled within the next one to two years, adding shape and contour as needed.
Patients who have had facial fat injections performed by Dr. Miller are generally extremely pleased with their results. Dr. Miller has been using the fat transfer technique for over 25 years, giving him the ability to provide consistent, predictable results with minimal side effects or complications. Although rare, there is always a small risk of infection, hematoma, seroma, bleeding, unexpected scarring, or changes in sensation. Since the liposuction incisions are very small, these tiny scars are generally well-hidden within the body’s natural contours, fading over time. Dr. Miller will discuss all potential complications during the consultation appointment.
Fat transfer from the boston center for facial rejuvenation
For more specific information about fat transfer injections with Dr. Miller at the Boston Center for Facial Rejuvenation, please call our Newbury Street office at (617) 735-8735 or contact our Patient Coordinator, Robyn Sola. Consultations are also available at our second office in Brookline. Our staff will be happy to answer your questions and assist in scheduling a confidential fat transfer consultation with Dr. Miller.
Dr. Miller performed a face lift with fat injections for me. He did a great job. Also, his support staff members are very attentive.
Fat Transfer FAQ
A fat transfer uses a patient’s own, living fatty tissue to restore the shape and contour of a different area. The technique uses liposuction to harvest fatty tissue from a donor site such as the abdomen, thighs, or buttocks. This tissue is then processed using a specialized centrifuge, cleaning and separating the fat cells. Finally, these purified fat cells will be reinjected elsewhere on the body. A fat transfer can improve the fullness and contour of many areas of the body, including the face, neck, lips, and hands. Benefits of a fat transfer include soft, natural-looking contours that will last for years. As the patient’s own fatty tissue is used, there is little to no chance for infection or serious complications.
Almost anyone experiencing a loss of facial volume may make a good candidate for fat transfer injections. The ideal patient will be in generally good health, a non-smoker, and have sufficient fatty tissue to donate. Candidates must understand the treatment plan, including the potential need for a second or third procedure to achieve the desired results. The best way to decide if you would make a good candidate for fat transfer injections is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Miller at the Boston Center for Facial Rejuvenation.
The benefits from fat transfer injections can be long-lasting, with results that will continue to look good for years. However, the final results are not permanent. As the fat cells are living tissue, they will thrive in their new location. Over time, some fat cells may be reabsorbed by the body, meaning a repeat session may be needed to maintain the results.
Fat transfer injections are performed as an outpatient procedure, allowing patients to recuperate at home the same afternoon. Downtime from the technique is normally short. Some tenderness, swelling, and mild bruising are normal but will diminish over the first week. Most patients are feeling and looking good enough to return to work in one to two days.
There are a variety of factors that will determine the exact cost of your fat transfer procedure, including the area being treated, the extent of correction, and if any additional techniques will be performed. In general, the cost of fat transfer injections can run between $2,500 and $10,500. Dr. Miller will determine the exact cost of your procedure during the consultation appointment. The all-inclusive price will include the surgeon’s fees, cost of the surgical center, anesthesiologist’s fee, compression garments, and all follow-up appointments. Patients are responsible for the cost of their prescription medications. To find out the cost range for your desired fat transfer, contact the Boston Center for Facial Rejuvenation.