Dr. Stephan Baker : Fat Grafting - Miami Plastic Surgeon

Enhanced Facial Volume
Smooth Facial Wrinkles

When facial fat tissue diminishes, you can develop shallow cheeks or hollows under the eyes. For many patients, facial volume loss leaves them looking chronically fatigued and strips them of a bright, happy complexion. Fat transfer takes patient-harvested fat and carefully injects it in the areas of deep volume loss. Enhancing facial volume restores a fuller and refreshed appearance.

Facial wrinkles are a major culprit in aging your facial appearance. Men and women commonly develop wrinkles around nose, mouth, and lips. Wrinkles can become etched deep in your facial tissues and become difficult to treat using over-the-counter creams. Fat transfer uses your own, natural fat to fill in wrinkles and treats deep wrinkles by targeting the underlying layers of skin. Fat transfer is ideal for smoothing facial wrinkles for a brighter, more youthful complexion.

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Fat Transfer VS. Fillers

Fat Transfer

Gentle, safe syringe liposuction is used to harvest fatty tissue from the body, typically the hips. The fat is processed and purified, removing any unwanted oils. Dr. Baker then carefully and skillfully injects the fat into the face to restore facial volume and fill wrinkles.
Fat is grafted using a microcannula that results in micrografts, the depositing of small amounts of fat during a single pass of the cannula. The micrografting technique provides the smoothest, longest-lasting results.
Fat transfer has zero risk of allergic reactions or body rejection because it utilizes the patient’s own harvested fat.
Fat that remains after the initial recovery period is permanent, providing years of beautiful results.
The fat transfer procedure takes about one and a half hours and is performed with the patient sedated or asleep.

Fillers

A wide variety of dermal fillers is available to smooth wrinkles and restore volume, including JUVÉDERM®, Restylane®, BELOTERO BALANCE®, and JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® XC.
Dermal filler treatments are performed during a quick, in-office session with only a topical anesthetic in Miami.
Dermal fillers are injected into wrinkles or the cheeks to plump the skin and erase wrinkles.
Fillers are ideal for patients who desire a quick and efficient fix or who don’t have the required amount of fat stores for transfer.
Fillers have a higher risk of negative reactions and can sometimes provide inconsistent results that only last several months.

You should expect some bruising and swelling of the face and at your liposuction sites. Resting with your head elevated and applying cold packs to the face will help minimize bruising and swelling. You should be able to return to work within a week of your procedure. Patients with only minor correction may find that they can return to work as soon as four days after surgery. You can resume your regular exercise routine three weeks after your procedure. Excess swelling should subside within four weeks.

The microcannula used to graft fat to your face won’t leave any visible incisions or scars. However, some patients may develop scarring at their liposuction site(s). Great care is taken to place liposuction incisions in discreet locations that can be easily concealed with clothing or underwear. Any scarring that does develop is likely to fade over time.

The exact cost of your fat transfer for facial rejuvenation will depend on the extent of correction required to achieve your results. Surgical, facility, and anesthesia fees comprise the cost of your procedure. Dr. Baker’s office will provide you with a detailed cost estimate during your consultation.

The fat grafting procedure is performed as an outpatient procedure with the patient under sedation or sleep anesthesia administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist to ensure a safe and pain-free procedure. You might experience some discomfort the first several days following your surgery, but this can be controlled with oral pain medication.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fat Transfer for Facial Rejuvenation

Am I a good candidate for fat transfer?

People considering fat transfer should be in good health and have realistic expectations about their results. Fat transfer for facial rejuvenation is designed to treat volume loss and wrinkles; it does not treat facial sagging. Patients in Miami with skin laxity should consider combining their fat transfer with a facelift for the best results. You may not qualify for fat transfer if you don’t have adequate stores of excess fat for grafting.

What can I expect from my consultation?

Your consultation is designed to properly inform both you and Dr. Baker of the expected results and goals that you wish to achieve through fat transfer. Dr. Baker will evaluate your body type to determine if you are a good candidate for fat transfer. A custom treatment plan is developed to target your specific needs and help you achieve your ideal results.

Do dermal fillers have the same recovery period as fat transfer?

One of the few downsides of fat transfer is the more extensive recovery period. Dermal fillers may result in some bruising and swelling that lasts several days, but patients can immediately resume their regular activities after treatment. However, many patients feel that the extensive recovery associated with fat transfer is worth the years of correction that dermal fillers cannot achieve.

Does fat transfer require repeat treatments?

Some of the initial fat injected will be absorbed in the months following your treatment; however, most patients maintain enough fat to provide them with the results they desire. Your results will last for several years, after which time future aging may make a second treatment necessary.

Fat Transfer for Facial Rejuvenation

Benefits of Fat Transfer for Facial Rejuvenation

Fat Transfer VS. Fillers

Fat Transfer

Fillers

Addressing Any Concerns You May Have

Frequently Asked Questions About Fat Transfer for Facial Rejuvenation