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Fat Transfer Augmentation

We Look Older, Sad and Tired Because We Deflate, Not Because We Sag

Until recently, cosmetic surgeons believed that our faces look older because the skin and fat sag down with age. Today, we know that natural aging changes, as well as many unaesthetic contours even in young faces, are due to deflation of the face from progressive loss of fat.  

Several years ago, Dr. Sanovich recognized this important concept and saw the value of treating the face with injectable fillers and the patient’s own fat. By doing more filling and less tightening, Dr. Sanovich found that his patients looked younger, more energetic, and happier. 

Scientific studies show that our faces do not look older because of sagging, but because of deflation. It is the loss of fat in our faces that produces most of the changes that make us look older, tired, and sad. The appearance of jowls is due to loss of fat in front and behind the jowl area, not sagging of the jowl. Sun damage will also take a heavy toll on our skin and over time, facial skin thins, creating sunken cheeks, unattractive lip lines, and depressions under the eyes. Fat transfer has dramatically improved our ability to restore ideal facial contours by best treating the cause of the concern, which is loss of fat.

In the past, surgeons would only lift the jowl with a facelift to improve the area. However, at Dallas Surgical Arts, we have a variety of treatment options to restore volume. Dr. Sanovich will address volume loss by injecting the patient’s fat or long-lasting injectable fillers, such as Restylane, and Juvederm. In some patients, best results may be achieved by combining treatment with a collagen stimulator, like Sculptra injections. In patients with very loose neck skin, he may recommend the injections be performed with a facelift if there is too much loose skin to correct with filling alone. 
The results from fat transfer are beautiful, and our patients love to achieve that natural, youthful improvement with less downtime. Dr. Sanovich is excited to have the new scientific evidence to prove why filling with fat transfer, or injectable fillers, is so effective in restoring or creating a happy, rested youthful face. Even if you are young, and you feel that you look sad, tired, or old, you may find that a simple augmentation of the flat, depressed facial areas can make a dramatic improvement and help you look more refreshed.

Call Dallas Surgical Arts at (972) 914-3660 to schedule your consultation.

Fat Transfer or Face Lift

For many men and women, rather than removing and tightening tissue with a face lift, it is better to replace the missing tissue with fat or fillers. Fat transfer will round out the facial contours by filling depressed areas, grooves and folds to create a more youthful, natural, athletic appearance with less surgery and less down time. Sunken cheeks, deep facial folds, depressions under the eyes, vertical lip lines, thin lips, and lines around the mouth can be filled and smoothed to restore attractive, youthful contours.

The Fat Transfer Technique is Important

Fat grafting techniques used in the past have had a bad reputation because they did not provided predictable results. This problem has been corrected by Dr. Sydney R. Coleman, who developed a technique which provides very predictable results. The keys to Dr. Coleman’s technique involve very gentle harvesting of individual fat cells, centrifuging the harvested fat to remove any damaged cells, and injecting the fat in multiple layers so that each cell is surrounded by blood vessels to provide oxygen and nutrients. By injecting very small groups of fat cells in multiple layers we can create very even, natural contours, and the fat will live for many years, if not a lifetime, exactly where we place it. Each fat cell is surrounded by tissue which holds it in place and prevents movement. Facial fillers are an alternative If only a small area of the face needs to be filled, an excellent alternative to fat transfer is fillers. They include Radiesse, Juvederm, and Restylane. These are made from materials that are identical to what is already naturally present in your body, and can be injected to fill depressions without surgery (see our page on facial fillers for more information). Because fat transfer uses the patient’s own fat cells to plump up facial features, the face maintains its soft, natural feel, and long lasting improvement has been noted in most patients.

The Fat Transfer Procedure

Dr. Sanovich practices the most advanced surgical techniques, and our fat transfer procedure is performed using industry-leader Dr. Coleman’s technique. This involves a very gentle harvesting of individual fat cells, centrifuging the harvested fat to remove any damaged cells, and injecting the fat in multiple layers so that each cell is surrounded by blood vessels to provide oxygen and nutrients. 

Fat transfer is performed on an outpatient basis in our office surgical suite under light general anesthesia. Fat is harvested from the abdomen or thigh with a small needle as only a few ounces of fat are needed. The fat is centrifuged to compact the cells for the most uniform augmentation, and injected into the face to fill grooves and lines, increase fullness, and restore youthful and attractive contours. Because the fat is injected in tiny parcels through a fine needle, the edges of the added fat can be feathered to blend beautifully into the surrounding tissue contour. The surrounding blood supply keeps the fat alive and it becomes a living part of the facial tissues. The augmented areas look and feel perfectly natural because it is your own living tissue. The majority of the fat injected is maintained permanently in most patients. Fat transfer is ideal for augmentation of all facial areas, and it is an excellent alternative to a facelift in patients with only moderate skin folds and laxity. It works well to help fill acne scars, and it can be combined with liposuction of the neck to develop an ideal jaw-neck line. Recovery is rapid, and most patients are able to resume normal activities within a few days. The tiny injection sites become invisible within a few days.

By injecting very small groups of fat cells in multiple layers, we can create very even, natural contours. Each fat cell is surrounded by tissue which holds it in place and prevents movement. Facial fillers are an alternative treatment option if only a small area of the face needs to be filled. For more dramatic volume restoration, a fat transfer will likely be recommended. Visit with us today to determine if you’re an ideal candidate for fat transfer. 

  • Patient Focused
    Your comfort and care is at the top of our list. Our team makes it a point to provide each patient with top notch care.
  • Comprehensive Approach
    Specializing in oral maxillofacial surgery as well as reconstructive surgery allows us to accomplish your overall goals.
  • Individualized Care
    We treat each of our patients as an individual, and provide care according to their specific needs.
  • Innovative Technology
    We are cutting-edge and use the most advanced technology and techniques.
Real patients. Real Reviews.
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