Facial Fat Grafting in Tucson, AZ

There are several cosmetic procedures that are designed to refresh the contours and fullness of your face, but the autologous fat transfer approach is quickly rising in the ranks because it has been shown to provide natural improvements and lasting benefits without the use of a foreign implant. Loss of volume, often due to aging or even weight loss, tends to be more prominent around the eyes, jawline, and cheeks. Autologous fat transfer to the face can be performed to decrease the most common signs of aging. Additionally, this method increases volume by smoothing fine lines, wrinkles, and folds throughout the face using your transferred fat cells. By employing liposuction to remove extra fat from your body, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Arun Rao can carefully place the fat into the needed sections of your face for beautiful, long-lasting results. With an autologous fat transfer to the face, patients not only receive a refreshed facial appearance, but they also benefit from having a smoother, slimmer body line. To learn more about fat grafting to the face, contact Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery in Tucson, AZ to schedule a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Rao.

Volume loss is a common sign of aging that results in a sunken or hollow appearance. Additionally, wrinkles and folds may become more pronounced over time. Facial fat grafting can correct these issues by adding natural fat to the desired areas. Since the fat comes from your own body, there is no risk of rejection or allergic reaction. The results of facial fat grafting are also longer-lasting than traditional dermal fillers that are made of synthetic materials.

Facial fat grafting is a wonderful option for women and men who want to fill in wrinkles, including the laugh lines, Crow's feet, and smile lines. Transferred fat can also minimize the appearance of pitted areas and scars. In addition to these improvements, you could add volume to your lips and cheeks for a more youthful appearance. Similar to the results of a dermal filler, like JUVÉDERM® or Restylane®, a fat transfer is a beneficial technique if you want your results to last for much longer. Ideal candidates for fat grafting:

• Are in good general health
• Have enough excess fat to meet their goals
• Have realistic expectations about their results
• Want to add natural volume to areas like the cheeks, lips, or forehead

Facial fat transfer is a two-part surgical process that includes harvesting the fat with liposuction and placement of the purified fat with a syringe. Since such a small amount of fat is required, Dr. Rao may use local or twilight anesthesia. To begin, he will perform liposuction to remove fat from the unwanted area, which will likely come from your hips, flanks, or abdomen. When the fat is harvested, it will then be purified and prepared for injection. Dr. Rao employs different injection angles and techniques to ensure ideal immersion rates into your skin and to create symmetry. Depending on your personalized treatment plan, fat may be transferred to your cheeks, lips, and/or beneath your eyes to add volume, as well as to correct fine lines, wrinkles, and facial depressions.

After your facial fat transfer, your incisions will be stitched and cleaned before you are sent to a recovery area. Dr. Rao or a member of his team will apply dressings and compression garments, as well as monitor your condition until it is time for you to be sent home with a family member or friend. Before your surgery, he will tell you what to expect after the procedure and give you post-op instructions for a speedy recovery. Follow-up appointments need to be scheduled at Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery so Dr. Rao can evaluate your recovery and progress. Your recovery will vary, depending on how much fat was removed and transferred, but you should plan to take a couple of weeks to rest and heal. Right away, you may feel sore with bruising and swelling at the liposuction site(s) and the transfer site(s). You may notice some improvements right away with your appearance, but it will take several weeks before you can see your final results. A small amount of fat may be reabsorbed by your body, but with appropriate care, your results should last for many years.

How much does facial fat grafting cost?
Your cost for a facial fat graft will include liposuction and will vary, depending on how much volume is being added. After a thorough assessment, Dr. Rao will determine how much fat is needed to create the desired volume and will prepare a customized treatment plan to suit your needs accordingly. From there, he can begin to estimate your total costs, including any facility and anesthesia fees. To help make your treatment easier to afford, Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery accepts many payment methods, including low-interest financing.

Should I get a dermal filler or fat transfer?
Either a facial fat transfer or a dermal filler (like Juvéderm and Restylane) can improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles, as well as add facial volume. While dermal fillers can produce wonderful results, a fat graft to the face usually looks more natural and lasts longer. To help you decide how much fat you want to be added and where, Dr. Rao may suggest starting with dermal fillers. Once you have formulated an idea of what you want, Dr. Rao can perform a fat graft to your face for results that last years rather than months.

Can facial fat grafting be combined with another procedure?
Facial fat grafting can be combined with a nonsurgical treatment, like an injectable or a skin treatment. Facial fat grafting has also become a popular service to complement facial surgery because it adds volume to improve the proportions of your face, which can further enhance the surgical results of a facelift, neck lift, or chin augmentation. Go over your goals in detail with Dr. Rao so he can work with you and create a plan with surgical and nonsurgical treatments that will accomplish your cosmetic aims.

How long does facial fat grafting take?
The length of time needed for your facial fat graft will vary, depending on how much fat is being removed, as well as the volume needed to attain your desired result. As soon as your personalized treatment plan is created, Dr. Rao can go over what you should expect for the procedure. Dr. Rao takes his time to carefully place thin layers of fat with innovative techniques so your results are seamless and look beautiful.

Which areas of the face can be improved with fat grafting?
A fat transfer can be used in a number of locations to add volume or reduce wrinkles. Fat grafting is great to enhance the cheeks to produce a fuller and lifted appearance without the need for a foreign implant. In addition, transferred fat can be used to add volume to your lips. You could also use a fat transfer to fill the hollow areas under your eyes. Facial fat grafting can treat scars and wrinkles (like brow furrows, marionette lines) as well. Dr. Rao will create your unique treatment plan to address your concerns and aesthetic goals.

Fat transfer procedures are a wonderful way to increase volume, smooth out lines, and accentuate your beautiful profile. If you yearn for a younger, bright appearance with little downtime, we urge you to learn more about facial fat grafting at Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery. This advanced technique is a great option for women and men alike who are seeking a natural enhancement that produces lasting results. Call our Tucson, AZ office at your earliest convenience to schedule your one-on-one consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Arun Rao.