Fat Injections (Micro Fat Grafting)

Procedures of the face

About Micro Fat Grafting

With ageing, fatty tissue beneath the skin of the face breaks down and fat is resorbed causing loss of volume.  Micro Fat Grafting injections (otherwise known as fat transfer) are an effective way to add volume to deflated areas of the face. Dr Moss extracts fat from a fat deposit where there is excess (tummy or thighs) and carefully injects the fat into those areas of the face where there has been loss. Common areas treated include the lips, around the eyes and also the mouth area.

Modern understanding of Micro Fat Grafting has dramatically improved the survival of fat injections for adding volume to specific areas of the face. In expert hands, fat injections are now producing long lasting to permanent results without the need to inject manufactured products (dermal fillers). Very occasionally a repeat treatment is requested to achieve further effect. They are often performed in conjunction with other facial procedures such as Facelift or Eyelid procedures or can be performed as standalone procedures.

Further Information about Fat Grafting and Recovery

Patients undergoing Micro Fat Grafting may go home the same day or may stay a night or 2 in hospital, depending on the extent of surgery. Surgery is performed under General Anaesthetic. No dressings are required and sutures will be removed after 7 days. You can usually return to work and social life by 2 weeks. You can return to light exercise by 2 weeks but must refrain from more strenuous activity for 6 weeks.

Risks

All surgery has risks – no matter who performs the surgery. When surgery is performed by a trained and experienced plastic surgeon there will be measures and precautions put in place to help lower the risk of complications occurring. If complications do occur and require further treatment or revisional surgery, then a qualified surgeon is trained to manage such complications. During the consultation, Dr Moss will carefully explain the possible risks of your surgery so that you can make an informed decision.

Different patients will heal differently, and have different pain thresholds and will therefore experience different recovery times for different activities The following possible complications – which apply to all surgeons worldwide – are listed to inform you, rather than to alarm you. A number of these risks are rare and have not occurred to date in Dr Moss’ practice. Further details on the level of any risk in your particular circumstances, including the possible impact of any comorbidities you may have, are provided in your consultation.

All patients are likely to experience some temporary discomfort/pain, numbness or altered sensation around the incisions or operated areas; bruising and swelling; skin discolouration; lumpiness, tightness, fatigue, low spirits; and nausea – typically from the anaesthetics or pain killers, which may require treatment.

General risks of surgery include wound infection, haematoma (collection of blood under the skin), abnormal scarring or internal scar tissue, bleeding from the incisions, allergies or reactions to anaesthetic agents, medications, sutures or topical treatments, delayed healing or separation of wound edges.

Specific Risks of Fat Injections include donor or grafted site contour irregularity; under or over correction; graft shrinkage or expansion; blindness is extremely rare but has been described after injection into a blood vessel.

Risks of Anaesthesia include tooth damage; heart attack; pneumonia; blood clot in the leg or lung, and stroke. These are uncommon but could be life threatening.

Every detail considered. Every person unique.