Fill in Wrinkles with Your Own Natural Fat
One of the most common, tell-tale signs of aging is the depletion of healthy fat and youthful volume in the face. Over time, subcutaneous fat depletion leads to the appearance of lines, wrinkles, and facial folds, as well as sunken cheeks and thinning lips. While there are many effective surgical procedures for correcting these unwelcome changes, these procedures are expensive and can involve significant discomfort and downtime. And while there is a wide range of injectable dermal fillers on the market today, fat injections, also known as fat grafting or fat transfer, are an excellent way to use your own naturally-occurring fat as an effective dermal filler that involves no risk of allergic or adverse reaction to a foreign substance.
If you’re concerned about the effects of aging in terms of lost facial volume and wrinkles, a consultation at Plastic Surgery of Tuscaloosa can help you decide if a fat transfer procedure is right for you. Our aesthetic surgical center, along with the opulent Spa Belle La Vie, is located in the North River area of Tuscaloosa, where we pride ourselves on offering a refined, sophisticated, and discrete environment where you can relax and focus on yourself for a change! Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ross Bunch, MD will listen carefully to your aesthetic needs and develop a treatment plan to achieve your desired goals while maintaining a focus on comfort and safety.
Fat injection may be a good option for you if you’re concerned about:
- Persistently dry or thinning lips
- Wrinkles and furrows such as worry lines, crow’s feet, and marionette lines
- Lost volume in facial contours, particularly around the temples, lips, and cheeks
- Shallow skin depressions from scars or skin irregularities
- A gaunt or hollow appearance in the cheeks, chin, or under-eye area
If you’re looking for an effective, non-surgical solution to address some of the signs of aging, but are concerned about a potential adverse reaction to dermal fillers, a fat transfer may be exactly what you’ve been looking for!
Redistribute Your Own Body Fat Where You Want It
Fat transfer is a facial rejuvenation procedure that has the added benefit of allowing you to redistribute some of your body fat from areas where it is plentiful, and injecting it into the areas that need it most. This tends to enhance the cosmetic effects of fat injection by reducing areas of fat concentration while at the same time plumping up areas that have grown gaunt or wrinkled with age. A “donor site” is selected on the body where fat is plentiful—typically around the abdomen or thighs. The fat is then suction carefully from the area while delicately sculpting the remaining contours for an aesthetically pleasing shape.
The freshly-harvested fat will then be processed carefully in a centrifuge, ensuring that the fat cells are clean, pure, and prepared for re-injection. The prepared fat cells are then carefully injected into the areas where they are needed—often near the temples, lips, nasolabial folds, and/or brow. The newly introduced fat is generally well accepted by the body, as it is comprised of your body’s own native cells.
This procedure is generally performed during an out-patient appointment under local anesthetic. Many patients experience some slight pain and swelling during the first 24 hours, which can be easily managed with standard pain medications. Most patients are able to return to their normal daily routines after 24-48 hours. As the swelling subsides during the first couple of days following your procedure, the new contours will become increasingly defined. Although some portion of the newly-injected fat is likely to be re-absorbed by the body over the first several months, most of it will remain and behave like any other naturally-occurring tissue. This gives fat injections the advantage of longevity, enhancing your facial contours as you move forward with renewed confidence and vitality.
What People Say About Us!
"I would not have any other doctor other than Dr. Bunch! Professional Doctor, nurses, and staff! Everyone seems so happy, and I leave in the best mood! Dr. Bunch makes me feel like I’m his most important patient of the day!"
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Contact Plastic Surgery of Tuscaloosa
At Plastic Surgery of Tuscaloosa in Tuscaloosa, AL, Dr. Ross Bunch and his professional, caring staff stand out among local surgical practices for their dedication to the most advanced cosmetic and reconstructive procedures in the industry. We are well-established in the community and have built a reputation for high quality patient care and excellent customer service. Dr. Bunch is a Board certified plastic surgeon with extensive training and experience in microsurgery, facial and rhinoplasty surgeries, and endoscopic surgical techniques, and brings a specialized skill and artistry to every procedure he performs. Our mission is to restore form, function, and beauty to all aspects of your body so you look as gorgeous on the outside as you feel on the inside!
If you are interested in learning more about facial augmentation with fat transfers or any of our facial rejuvenation procedures, please contact our office at 205.349.0049. We look forward to speaking with you and to scheduling your consultation with Dr. Bunch!