Facial Fat Transfer

Perhaps the most common misconception about the aging face is the notion that looking older is solely related to a loss of skin elasticity. Our skin becomes thinner and less robust with age, and this process is undeniably accentuated by the simultaneous loss of fat within the face. Facial fat grafting in Charlotte, NC can help revive your appearance by using your own fat from unwanted areas and transferring it into areas of the face that appear empty or depleted.

What is Facial Fat Transfer?

A youthful face is synonymous with a fuller face, therefore, the loss of fat within the face with aging leads to; a hollowness around the eyes, flattening of the cheeks and prominent skin folds around the nose and mouth. This gives a deflated and sometimes skeletonized appearance to the facial architecture.

It was only in the last 20 years that plastic surgeons began to fully understand the anatomic distribution of fat within the face as well as the predictability of fat loss with aging. This knowledge brought forth an era in aesthetic surgery that has sought to optimize the utilization of fat to restore both volume and youth.

During fat transfer, fat cells are harvested from an area of the body such as the stomach, thighs, hips, or lower back and injected into the face to correct the hollowness of aging. Fat transfer is not limited to plumping the aging face, but can be used in treating depressed scars, skin changes from radiation, contour irregularities, and much more.

Before & After Facial Fat Transfer

What are the benefits of facial fat transfer?

A more youthful facial contour
Safe and minimally invasive
Does not require general anesthesia
Results can be long lasting
May be more cost effective than synthetic filler
Provides a unique regenerative quality to the tissues that is not seen with synthetic filler

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FAQs about Fat Transfer to the Face with Dr. Pratt

How do you decide whether someone gets synthetic filler versus fat transfer?

Like many plastic surgeons, I believe that fat is truly the ultimate filler. The ability to restore volume as well as the regenerative properties of transferred fat, believed to be associated with the simultaneous transfer of stem cells is a powerful combination. However, the apprehensive patient that feels more comfortable with a reversable volume enhancer is a situation where synthetic fillers may be more appropriate.

Am I going to notice a big difference in the areas from where the fat is taken from?

Typically, the amount of fat used for facial volume enhancement is not significant enough to see a dramatic change in the donor area. Results, however, will vary based on the body fat composition of the individual and how much fat is ultimately removed

Does the fat go away?

There is an inherent level of unpredictability of how much of the transferred fat remains after transfer. Too often, however, the swelling after surgery is mistaken as fat and once this swelling dissipates it gives the impression that the fat “didn’t take”. Nothing could be further from the truth, in that long-term changes in facial volume can be seen in photographs years after the initial procedure in many individuals. The nuances of optimizing fat graft survival, however, are not completely understood, and this leads to variability in results.

What if I gain weight after the procedure?

An interesting concept about fat transfer is that the behavior of the transferred fat continues mimic the area from where it came from, rather than where it is placed. In other words, if an individual tends to readily lose fat in the lower abdomen and this fat is transferred to the face, then this fat remains susceptible to become much smaller with future weight loss.

What will my recovery be like after treatment?

While recovery after facial fat grafting in Charlotte NC is minimal when compared to the downtime required for a facelift, you will still need to rest for about one week with a reduction in your normal activity. To help expedite your healing, you should avoid blood-thinning medications for at least 10 days. Your skin may feel tender and sore, but these side effects can be well managed with an ice pack or painkillers. Bruising and swelling will fade within 7-10 days.

Why choose Dr. Pratt in Charlotte, NC for facial fat transfer?

Although purely elective, the decision to make an investment in oneself that involves aesthetic surgery can be daunting and overwhelming. Being comfortable with your surgeon is paramount in this decision making. In your consultation with Dr. Pratt, you will fill informed, educated, and ultimately empowered in your decision. His ability to demystify the concepts and rationale behind fat transfer and facial rejuvenation is both effortless and relatable.

Dr. Pratt has regularly incorporated facial fat transfer procedures as an integral part of a comprehensive approach to facial rejuvenation for over 15 years. He believes in a 3-dimensional approach to restoring facial youth. It is primarily through the implementation of fat transfer that a restoration of depth, width and dimension is brought back to the aging face.

Dr. Pratt graduated from the University of Florida College of Medicine and then went on to complete a general surgery residency at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC. He later honed his skills at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he completed a fellowship in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. After serving as a clinical instructor in the Department of Plastic Surgery at Carolinas Medical Center, Dr. Pratt went into private practice and emerged as one of the premier aesthetic plastic surgeons in the region. Bespoke Plastic Surgery is located in beautiful south Charlotte, nestled in the heart of Ballantyne. The consistency of sustained quality results is evident in his thriving aesthetic surgery practice that has gained popularity largely through word of mouth. Dr. Pratt and Bespoke Plastic Surgery are exclusively dedicated to aesthetic surgery of the breast, body and face.