Fat Grafting

A: This procedure is considered a good treatment option for patients who wish to reverse the visible signs of aging on their face. During a consultation, our doctors will assess your unique situation and help you decide which procedure is best for your personal needs.

A: Results are effective immediately, with full results becoming visible within a couple of months of the procedure. The full results are not visible for a month or so because within the first few weeks following the treatment, your face will be swollen from the surgery, appearing more voluminous.

A: Results vary slightly from patient to patient. However, on average, they can last up to 3 years.

A: One of the greatest benefits of FAMI is that there is no chance of an allergic reaction because you are using your own body’s natural substances to fill the face. Additionally, the results of fat grafting last longer than the results of fillers, which can make it a more cost effective procedure.

A: There is minimal downtime, because it is a minimally invasive procedure. Patients are able to get up and move around immediately after the injections.

A: There is little to no discomfort during the procedure because you will be under a local anesthetic. However, you may experience some tenderness around the donor and recipient sites for a few days after the procedure.

A: Side effects can include swelling and bruising around the treatment site. However, these should go away within a few days.

A: The average cost varies among patients, depending on how much fat needs to be removed and replaced. To find out how much your particular procedure will cost schedule a consultation with one of our expert dermatologists.

A: Sculptra, Voluma, Vollure, or fat grafting could all fill in the hollow areas of your face quite beautifully. Sculptra lasts up to two years; it is by no means permanent. It works by stimulating your own skin to produce more collagen, so it’s actually quite good for your skin. Usually 2 or 3 sessions are needed for full correction and yearly maintenance treatments can maintain the fuller look. I like the slow gradual correction of Sculptra, so you can stop treatment when the fullness you like is achieved. Vollure has a lovely, soft texture, but it doesn’t last as long. The effects show immediately so you enjoy results right away. This is the easiest option, but shorter lasting than the others. Fat grafts usually last about three years, but this depends on the skill of your dermatologist, the preparation of the fat and your body’s metabolism. If you are thin, having enough extra fat to transfer is sometimes hard to find. Fat transfer is often the best solution if lots of volume is required because it is actually economical. Please find a board-certified dermatologist who can examine you and spend some time with you going over your options so you make a choice that feels right for you. What I may suggest is starting with something shorter lasting and easy, such as Vollure. You can make sure you like the look before investing in longer duration but more expensive options.

A: Fat grafting and Voluma are wonderful for restoring volume to the face. However, fat tends to dissipate quickly. Sculptra is another option, especially if you want to build up cheekbones. Sculptra can last for up to two years. Be sure to consult a board-certified dermatologist who is an expert at creating beautiful curves and volume with dermal fillers.

A: One of the benefits of a fat graft is that the transplanted fat actually incorporates itself into your skin and resvascularizes there, which will strengthen and plump your skin. So, actually, it’s quite good for thin skin to have a fat graft! One caveat is that some of the fat will die. In fact, I actually think most people get a better result when volumizing their skin using a dermal filler such as Voluma, or a collagen-stimulating dermal filler such as Sculptra. The only way to be sure of which is best for you is to consult a board-certified dermatologist.