Fat Injections

Fat injections can significantly reduce or eliminate wrinkles and other skin imperfections. It can also give patients a more youthful appearance by reestablishing pleasing contours. Fat is the first choice of material when injections are needed in deeper layers of tissue or larger volumes (greater than 10cc).

However, injected fat may not last as long as some other materials. The fat is slowly absorbed by the body, although the amount of absorption is variable, and frequently hard to predict. Typically, more than half of the fat used in injectable treatments is absorbed with six months of the operation. Almost all patients will permanently retain some of the injected fat. However this percentage varies from patient to patient. If a significant amount of fat is absorbed, a second procedure may be needed to completely correct the sagging, wrinkling or other skin imperfections.

A fat-injection procedure is a two-step process that may require more than one visit to the doctor. The fat must be harvested from somewhere on your own body -- typically from the abdomen or hips. After it is extracted, it is placed in a centerfuge to separate the fat from surrounding tissues. The fat is then packed into a large syringe to accommodate its granular nature.

Because fat is a bit larger than other injectable materials, it is almost always injected more deeply into the skin. Volumes of up to 50-100 cc can be used to over the entire face. (Fat is the only injectable material that can be used at these larger volumes.) The injected fat plumps and tightens the skin, thereby decreasing (and in some cases eliminating) wrinkles, scars and lines from sagging skin.

Most patients who have had an injectable procedure are pleased with the results. The treatments can, in many cases, significantly reduce facial wrinkling and sagging. However, fat injections have a relatively short life span. Much of the fat may be absorbed within six months.

Almost all patients will permanently retain some of the injected fat. However, this percentage varies from patient to patient, and a second procedure may be needed to completely correct sagging or wrinkling.

• Individuals with scarring, sagging or wrinkling on the face
• Missing some of the youthful plumpness or high contours on the face
• In good physical health
• Psychologically stable
• Wanting to improve their appearance
• Realistic in their expectations
• Aware of their options

Recently a new method of fat injection has gained popularity. The procedure is called lipostructure. on This procedure attempts to keep the extracted fat cells alive. The fat are taken from the patient’s body, and placed into the new area much like traditional fat injections. However, the fat cells are kept alive, and a blood supply is established to the cells. The idea behind lipostructure is that by keeping the fat cells alive, they will not be reabsorbed into the body and results will last longer. This procedure is quite new, is more extensive, and requires very specific training on the part of the surgeon.

Besides fat, a number of other materials are used for injectable treatments as well. In the United States, these include Alloderm, Botox and Collagen (Autologen). Be sure and discuss the different options with your doctor to determine which injectable material is best for you.

In some cases, laser skin resurfacing, microdermabrasion or a chemical peel will work better than injections – especially for smoothing very fine surface wrinkles. These procedures do not directly restore volume to the face, but they do eliminate the high points of the wrinkles by removing the outer layers of the skin cells. Any of these treatments can be used in combination with injections. Consult with your doctor for more information about the best options for you.

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1. Are the desired results I described realistic?
2. Where is the surgery performed? How long will the procedure take?
3. Am I good candidate for injectables? Why or why not?
4. What kind of anesthesia is used?
5. How much does it cost?
6. What is your experience in performing this procedure? (How long has he/she performed this procedure, and how many he/she has performed in the past year?)
7. What percentage of patients have had significant complications? (The physician should disclose this information to you.)
8. Will you repeat or correct procedures if it does not meet agreed upon goals? And if the procedure must be repeated / corrected, will I be charged again? (The physician should provide you with his/her policy on this issue.)
9. May I see "before and after" photos of recent patients? The physician should provide many photos of recent patients.
10. May I have the names and contact information for several recent chin augmentation patients? (Follow up to get first-hand information on the procedure and the surgeon.)
11. Could I observe the exact procedure I am considering before I decide to have the surgery? (Either on videotape or ask to view one in real life.)
12. What should I expect post-operatively, in terms of soreness, what to watch for, medication, bathing, and level of activity?
13. Who will be assisting during the surgery? What are their qualifications? (Does the Dermatologist perform the entire surgery?)
14. Have you ever had your malpractice insurance coverage denied, revoked, suspended?
15. Do you offer patient financing?

• Tell your doctor about any allergies you have (to foods, drugs, environmental elements)
• Tell your doctor about all medications you are taking (both prescription and non-prescription)
• Carefully follow any instructions your doctor gives you.
• Avoid aspirin and aspirin-containing medicines, as well as anti-inflammatory medicines such as Nuprin, Motrin, and Advil for two weeks prior to surgery. Also avoid herbal remedies such as St. John’s Wort, gingko biloba, some types of Chinese black mushrooms and other natural medicines and foods that may thin the blood.

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