Loss of volume in the face, facial wrinkles and creases are a normal part of the aging process. Fat transfer is a natural non-allergenic way of restoring volume and improving skin texture.

Fat transfer, also called autologous fat transplantation or micro-lipoinjection, plumps up facial features with a patient's own fat and is a popular alternative to other wrinkle treatments. Fat transfer to the face is a safe, natural, non-allergenic procedure designed to recontour your face and can provide definition to your cheeks and chin. It can also be used to correct facial deformities and improve atrophic aging of the hands. Since fat transfer uses your own fat cells, you can never have an allergic reaction, because it is from your own body.

Fat transfer procedure

The procedure may be performed with local anesthetic or with twilight sedation. Using a microcannula fat is suctioned from the tummy area, hips or buttocks and carefully prepared and then re-implanted into the desired areas.

Up to three separate injection sessions maybe required at intervals of approximately 6-8 weeks. At the first treatment session enough fat is held in frozen storage for any future treatments that maybe required. Not all the fat injected at each treatment session finds its own blood supply and survives. A percentage of the fat from the first and second treatment sessions is absorbed.

Your initial injection should last up to six months. However, over the first few months, your body will absorb about 65% of the fat from that first injection. The remaining 35% will usually stay in place for years. For the best result that will last years, patients usually receive 3 or 4 injection treatments over a 6-month period.

Pre-Operative Instruction & Care

1. Avoid ASPRIN, NSAID, and BRUFEN, VITAMIN E CAPSULES OR ANTI- INFLAMMATORY medication for two weeks before and after your procedure.
2. Avoid ALCHOHOL for 2 weeks before and after your procedure.
3. Please stop SMOKING for 2 weeks before and after your procedure. Smoking decreases the blood flow to the skin and can delay healing
4. You will need to make arrangements for someone to accompany you home and care for you as the sedation during the procedure may make you drowsy for up to 24 hours.
5. Notify your Doctor and your Nurse if you have any medical problems or allergies to any tablets, drugs, dressings or any medication.

1. You may have a light meal and liquid 6 hour's prior to the procedure, but should verify with your Doctor or Brisbane Cosmetic Clinic consultant that this is the correct in your case.
2. You will need to wear comfortable clothing, preferably something that buttons down the front.
3. As your procedure may take some time and so that you remain comfortable through out the procedure it is advisable to go to the toilet before hand.

1. You may experience some oozing from the area that fat has been taken.
2. Temporary stinging, throbbing, burning sensation, redness, swelling, bruising and excess fullness.
3. Some swelling, bruising or redness in the donor and recipient sites.
4. Swelling and puffiness may last several weeks.
5. Redness and bruising usually lasts 48 Hr's.

1. Avoid exposing scars to the sun for at least 12 months.
2. Always use a strong sun block, if sun exposure in unavoidable (SPF 30+).
3. Keep steri-strips or surgical tapes on; replace them if they come off.
4. Inspect daily for signs of infection.
5. No bath soaking or swimming while sutures or drains are in place.
6. You may wear makeup with sun block protection.
7. Stay out of the sun till redness and bruising subsides (usually 48-72 Hr's).

1. Improved volume in the areas treated, with improved contours with facial fat transfer
2. Improved skin texture.
3. Firmer and smoother skin.

1. With regular follow-up treatments as per the Fat Transfer Program Plan, you can easily maintain your new look.
2. Repeated treatments maybe necessary to achieve the final desired result. Results are permanent or until weight loss or the normal ageing process of volume loss occurs.