Fat Transfer - Injectable Implant

Injectable fat taken from your own body is the most frequently used material for filling facial wrinkles and frown lines.

While collagen is popular as an injectable filler, it is not for everyone. Some people are allergic to collagen or may develop an allergic reaction. Everyone must have a skin test prior to receiving collagen injections.

Fat transfer, also called autologous fat transfer or micro-lipoinjection, fills facial features with the patient's own fat. Because the fat comes from your own body, you cannot develop an allergic reaction. Fat transfer to the face is a safe procedure designed to re-contour the face and provide definition to cheeks, chin, lips and eyes.

The fat used for fat transfer is removed either with a syringe or via liposuction from one part of your body, like the abdomen or thighs, and injected into another area that requires plumping.

Injected fat lasts longer in larger areas of non-movement, so it is successful for the correction of grooves under the eyes and sunken cheeks. Fat grafting can also correct atrophic aging of the hands.

Fat grafting is performed in our office on an outpatient basis. Both the area from which the fat is taken and the treatment site are anesthetized with a local anesthetic. Using a small needle attached to a syringe, fat is removed from a donor site where the fat is most tightly packed, such as the abdomen. Once removed, the fat is processed to remove excess fluid and then reinjected using another needle, which is placed just under the skin beneath the wrinkle. This process may be repeated until the desired correction has been achieved.

Swelling is expected after fat injection and discomfort following the procedure can be easily controlled with medication. There may also be some bruising. Over the first few months your body will absorb about 65% of the fat. The remaining 35% will usually stay in place. For longer lasting results, patients usually receive three or four treatments over six months.