Facelift with Fat
The process in a nutshell
Fat injections have wide applications in cosmetic surgery. The fat is injected into areas that require strengthening and produces safe, long-lasting, and natural-looking results as the tumor is replaced in tissues where the native fat is reduced.
The procedure involves harvesting fat from a part of the body, processing it and carefully re-injecting it with specially designed cannulas (NO NEEDLES) into the areas required. Because they are fat cells and not some shelf material, fat transplantation is done in a way that ensures the viability of the fat cells either when they are taken or when they are injected. Even after being injected into the new site, their perfusion must be ensured and that is why the whole procedure is referred to as transplantation. This is why the process may need to be repeated to achieve the desired result, because the percentage of viability, ie how many fat cells will survive, cannot be guaranteed in advance.
The swelling, which usually occurs after the fat injection, subsides within 3-5 days or more depending on the amount of fat infusion. The degree of swelling depends on the area and the result we expect but mainly on the amount injected. Especially in men, it is used to stimulate and augment the cheekbones, chin and jaw corners to emphasize the strong and voluntary profile.
WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR A FAT TRANSPTION?
Patients who benefit from fat transplantation are people who want to increase the volume in 
specific areas but also to improve the quality of the skin. Fat is the best and most intense activator of skin fibroblasts. The most common spots include the hands, face (including the lips), and indentations in the skin contour, where they have appeared either due to age or after surgery or scarring.
In general, patients who are considered fit for fat injection are in good physical condition. If you have a history of bleeding or are taking medicines such as aspirin, you should tell your surgeon. A history of smoking should also be reported to your surgeon. An important role in the choice of this treatment is played by the recovery time and this will be discussed diligently preoperatively. The anatomy and proportions of each patient vary, and the decision to use fat instead of other materials depends on the goals of the patient as well as the surgeon.
Procedure
Patients will undergo a detailed evaluation process. A complete history will be obtained and a clinical examination will be performed prior to the procedure. Photos will be taken to compare results.
Will be used, either local anesthesia or local anesthesia and intoxication or general anesthesia. This will be discussed before the procedure because depending on the case an anesthesiologist may be needed.
Fat is collected using a special suction cannula, using a sterile technique. Once enough fat is taken from the donor country, it is then purified. This often requires the use of a centrifuge, which rotates the fat and removes toxic substances and unnecessary coexisting materials. The fat cells are then placed in the areas where required, with very thin cannulas. The cannula (and NO NEEDLE) of the infusion usually passes in and out of the area to be enlarged several times. This creates a “grid” of fat grafts. In the areas where fat was injected, light massages are done to create a satisfactory contour. Small stickers cover the injection holes. It is noted that throughout the process no incisions are made anywhere except 1 mm holes,
Infusion Benefits / Benefits
Fat cell injections are a technique that is growing in popularity. Fat is one of the most well-tolerated “filling” materials available to cosmetic surgeons, and therefore has a wide range of applications.
It is natural, free from the dangers of synthetic materials and lasts for a long time. It is effective for changing the contour of the body, repairing scars and rejuvenating for the hands and face. It provokes the strongest reaction of “neocollagenogenesis” by creating new collagen where it is injected.
Duration of the operation
The process will take about 15 to 30 minutes for a small application or more, depending on our desire.
Recovery
The treated area will be swollen (swollen) for hours or even days after. There will be bruises that may limit social activities postoperatively. You will also need to take medication (antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs).
Time out of work
You may need to change your routine until the application area has calmed down. You can cover possible bruises and swelling with make-up.
Time for exercise
It is best to avoid exercise for a few days until you feel comfortable again.
Driving
Patients should avoid driving until they feel completely comfortable on the day of treatment or as advised by your doctor.
Final outcome
The final result will take at least 3-6 months, to show the percentage of surviving fat cells. That is why the first weeks are misleading. Our experience also shows that there are better results on the cheekbones, chin, jaw corners and not where more superficial correction (wrinkles) is needed.
Possible Complications with Fat Injections
This is a procedure that is extremely successful for many patients. However, as with any procedure, it is very important to understand what can go wrong. Possible complications are listed below.
Skin abnormalities: Minor skin abnormalities can occur, which can take time to disappear. Massage helps a lot in these cases. They may need to be removed, where the aesthetic effect is affected.
Minor asymmetry: The same infusion will be performed on both sides of the face. There is a small chance of a different effect on one side than the other. The existing difference in the underlying anatomy, which exists for each of us, also plays an important role in this. This will be discussed in more detail at the time of application, in order to understand why we may need to put a different amount of fat on both sides of the face.
Bruises: They are minor and go away quickly.
Allergic reactions: Maybe to the local anesthetics that will be used.
Repeat application: It must be understood that we are talking about fat cell transplantation. So we need enough perspiration to survive. Because this is exactly what can not be guaranteed, we must be prepared for a possible recurrence in a few months, once it has been seen how long it has survived (practically how much correction has been achieved in the area of interest).
Oily cysts: Exactly for the same reasons of perspiration, where this is not satisfactory, there is a loss (death) of fat cells, which are transformed into cysts that contain oil (melted fat). They may need to be removed, where the aesthetic effect is affected.
Facelift with Fat
