INJECTABLE FILLERS
(Restylane, Captique, Hylaform)
Fat Treatment
In the medical world, the fat-injection procedure is known as autologous fat transplantation or microlipoinjection. It involves extracting
fat cells from the patient's abdomen, thighs, buttocks or elsewhere and reinjecting them beneath the facial skin. Fat is most often used to
fill in "sunken" cheeks or laugh lines between the nose and mouth, to correct skin depressions or indentations, to minimize forehead wrinkles
and to enhance the lips.
The procedure: After both the donor and recipient sites are cleansed and treated with a local anesthesia, the fat is withdrawn using a
syringe with a large-bore needle or a cannula (the same instrument used in liposuction) attached to a suction device. The fat is then
prepared and injected into the recipient site with a needle. Sometimes an adhesive bandage is applied over the injection site.
As with collagen, "overfilling" is necessary to allow for fat absorption in the weeks following treatment. When fat is used to fill
sunken cheeks or to correct areas on the face other than lines, this overcorrection of newly injected fat may temporarily make the face
appear abnormally puffed out or swollen.
After treatment: If a larger area was treated, you may be advised to curtail your activity for a brief time. However, many patients
are able to resume normal activity immediately. You can expect some swelling, bruising or redness in both the donor and recipient sites.
The severity of these symptoms depends upon the size and location of the treated area. You should stay out of the sun until the redness
and bruising subsides - usually about 48 hours. In the meantime, you may use makeup with sunblock protection to help conceal your
condition.
The swelling and puffiness in the recipient site may last several weeks, especially if a large area was filled.
Results: The duration of the fat injections varies significantly from patient to patient. Though some patients have reported results
lasting a year or more, the majority of patients find that at least half of the injected fullness disappears within 3-6 months. Therefore,
repeated injections may be necessary. Your doctor will advise you on how to maintain your results with repeat treatments.
Your new look
If you're like most patients, you'll be very satisfied with the results of your injectable treatments. You may be surprised at the pleasing
results that can be gained from this procedure.
Content provided by The American Society of Plastic Surgeons
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