Fat Transfer
Fat grafting, or fat transfer, also referred to as fat injections, describes the procedure of transferring fat from the abdomen or thighs to the face as well as the hands. What is important to understand is that aging is not only an issue of gravity and sagging more very often loss of volume in key areas of the face such as the anterior cheeks, temples, tear troughs, and sub-cheek zones. The new model of the facial aging process focuses on the primary importance of how the face deflates and loses volume decade after decade. What was once thought to be sagging has now been understood to be largely from atrophy and loss of youthful volume
Fat grafting is one of Dr. Lay’s specialties and he very much enjoys taking the time to precisely place each deposit of fat in the best place possible in a layered fashion.
The Fat Grafting Procedure
Some misconceptions about fat grafting and transfer are that the fat transfer will not last long enough to make it work your time and recovery. While some patients need more than others based on age and health history the fat does very well after proper preparation and placement and can actually improve over a period of 1 to 2 years.
Can fat grafting look lumpy and not smooth? Certainly, in inexperience hands this has happened and is correctable but Dr. Lay takes the time to distribute the fat evenly in small amounts and has an excellent track record.
Why would I want to make my face fatter or fuller if it’s already full? This is an art. Dr. Lay can often make prominent cheek bones or a full face slimmer and more pleasing by sculpting the patient’s face with their own fat.
SEE PHOTOS BELOW
Fat Grafting Recovery
To do it right, you often need to be generous with the fat transfer. This means that immediately after you will be quite puffy and often bruised. The recovery process can last about 1 to 2 weeks with possibly unnatural swelling during that time but there is minimal discomfort and for many they return to work in 10 days (with still some residual swelling). With sunglasses and a hat, many patients go back out in public in a limited fashion without being noticed but, of course, close social and professional meetings should be avoided. Of course, all patients are different and some are back in the public eye within 7 days but this is faster than average.