A facial fat transfer is a type of plastic surgery procedure that can restore lost volume and definition to areas of your face where you may have lost these attributes. For the right patient, the procedure can result in a stunning transformation of this area of the body. How long does a facial fat transfer last? The answer to this question has some level of variability. However, many patients can expect their results to last for several years, given the right conditions.
If you are interested in receiving this type of treatment, take a look at this guide, which describes some of the elements of this procedure that may be relevant.
What Is a Facial Fat Transfer?
A facial fat transfer is a type of minimally invasive plastic surgery that involves transferring fat from parts of the body where it may be plentiful to areas of the face that may have become sunken or shallow over time.
Common areas where donor fat is harvested from include the following:
- Hips
- Thighs
- Abdomen
- Neck
What Occurs During a Facial Fat Transfer?
During a facial fat transfer, fat is brought from an area of the body where it is plentiful to the face. The concrete steps of this procedure generally look like this:
- The area of the body where fat is to be transferred from is selected by you and your physician
- Local or general anesthesia is applied to the patient depending on the scale of the procedure
- This fat is removed via liposuction from the donor area
- The donor fat is spun in a centrifuge and filtered in order to remove impurities
- The purified fat is injected into the target areas of the face
In most cases, your physician will apply more fat than is actually necessary to your face. This is because not all donor fat is expected to survive the entirety of the process.
How Long Does it Take to Recover From a Fat Transfer?
In general, you can expect to take at least one week to fully recover from a facial fat grafting. Most patients will be able to resume their normal activities within 3 to 5 days. However, it likely will take several months for you to fully recover from your procedure and to see the full extent of your results.
There are several side effects that you can expect during this period. Many patients experience some of the following:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Inflammation
- Soreness
Following your physician’s instructions during this time period will increase your chances of avoiding any mishaps during this period.
How Long Does a Facial Fat Transfer Last?
A firm answer to this question is somewhat difficult to come by, as the results for a facial fat transfer can vary considerably between individuals. Much of this has to do with lifestyle choices and other external factors that can impact the overall longevity of your results.
In general, the results of a fat transfer are framed as more or less permanent. That is, the fat that is transferred to the parts of your face that need attention will remain in this part of the body. However, your results are still subject to fluctuations in weight that may occur otherwise.
In addition, you can expect about 30% of the fat that is transferred during your procedure to be reabsorbed into the body in the first few weeks following your procedure. This is a natural part of the fat transfer process that your physician will take into account.
How to Preserve Your Results
There are lifestyle modifications that can assist you with preserving your results and extending the length of time that you experience them at their peak. Some of the following have been noted as useful:
- Exercise regularly
- Get plenty of rest
- Quit smoking
- Eat a healthy diet
In addition, avoiding placing too much pressure on the part of your body that has experienced surgery after the fact has the potential to help you avoid compromising your results on accident. This means wearing loose-fitting clothing and avoiding manipulating your compression bandages following your surgery.
Your physician may have additional advice for you on a personal level regarding the best ways to preserve your results. Following their advice in this regard has the potential to give you an advantage.
The Best Oculoplastic Surgeon in Columbus
Review Eye and Face is one of the country’s most trusted resources in terms of giving patients high-quality service in the realm of oculoplastic surgery. If you have questions about a facial fat transfer that you would like answered, contact us today to hold a discussion with our oculoplastic surgeon.
