Facial Fat Grafting & Fat Transfer

Conveniently located to serve Houston & Sugar Land

Considering facial fat grafting? In addition to Radiesse and Juvederm, your own fat can be used to fill in wrinkles, folds and areas of your face that experience volume loss over time, such as your cheeks, lips and under-eyes. Via facial fat grafting fat cells can be moved from one body area with an overabundance to areas that are sunken and creased, helping you to achieve long-lasting facial rejuvenation and a more youthful appearance. Get the volume back to your face through facial fat grafting in Houston.

What Is Facial Fat Grafting?

Facial fat grafting is a procedure that adds volume to the face by harvesting, purifying, and transferring your body’s own natural fat. People who want a more natural way of restoring facial volume choose this procedure; they prefer this treatment’s ability to provide long-lasting results without artificial injectables.

Your Facial Fat Grafting Consultation

During the consultation, you will talk about your cosmetic goals, and we will discuss what will happen during the facial fat grafting procedure. We will examine the areas that require treatment, help set realistic expectations, and give you instructions for before and after the procedure.

The Procedure for Facial Fat Grafting in Houston TX

If you and Dr. Norris decide fat grafting in Houston is the best option to help you achieve your cosmetic goals, he will start by helping you prepare for liposuction. Liposuction allows Dr. Norris to remove unwanted fat from virtually any body area and preserve the fat cells for a brief period so that they may be processed and prepared for transplantation to the desired area of your face.

After removing your fat via liposuction, Dr. Norris will administer fat injections to correct a variety of problems, including:

• Sunken cheeks
• Hollow temples
• Deep nasolabial folds and other facial wrinkles
• Under-eye hollowness and dark circles
• Tear troughs
• Eye bags and puffiness
• Asymmetric or thin lips
• Contour depressions or scars from previous facial surgeries

Local anesthesia is used for most patients during fat injections, however it may be combined with sedation during the fat harvesting stage of the process, or if you are having fat grafting performed in conjunction with a facelift or other surgical procedure.

Recovering From Facial Fat Grafting

Swelling, bruising, redness and discomfort typically persist for at least a week following fat grafting in Houston, however most side effects are mild and resolve completely within about four weeks. Do not wear makeup for at least 24 hours after fat grafting, and take prescribed medications as directed.

Dr. Norris will provide you with post-operative instructions specific to your needs following your fat grafting in Houston and will schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your healing progress and results.

To ensure your facial fat grafting results last as long as possible, it is important to avoid moving or touching the treated area(s) the first few days after the procedure. Some of the fat will inevitably be reabsorbed by your body, however manipulating the locations of the fat grafts will make this more likely.

It is impossible to predict how much of the transplanted fat your body will reabsorb, however once your recovery period is complete, Dr. Norris can help you decide if repeat treatments are necessary. The fat that does not get reabsorbed by your body will remain permanently in your face and provide long-lasting facial rejuvenation.

The Cost of Facial Fat Grafting

The cost of facial fat grafting varies based on the details of each patient’s procedure. It can be affected by the length of the procedure, anesthesia fees, and more. You will learn more about its price during the consultation.

• Am I a good candidate for facial fat grafting?

  You may be a good candidate for facial fat grafting if you are in good health, do not smoke and desire to add volume to deficient areas on your face. Additionally, it is important that you possess realistic expectations and goals when considering fat grafting. During the consultation process, your surgeon will be able to determine if you are an ideal candidate for fat grafting.

  Pregnant and breastfeeding women will need to postpone the procedure. Patients with active skin infections in the targeted areas must fully treat them before their procedure.

• What are some of the benefits of facial fat grafting?

  Fat grafting is one of the most tolerated facial fillers available. It is composed of your own tissue, which eliminates immune response problems that may arise with other procedures. The end results often appear softer and more natural than other fillers and last significantly longer.

• Is fat grafting a painful procedure?

  It is realistic to anticipate some pain following your procedure. In general, pain or discomfort associated with fat grafting is minimal. Your surgeon may prescribe you medication to alleviate any pain you may be feeling after your procedure.

• Will the results of facial fat grafting be permanent?

  Unlike artificial fillers, the results of facial fat grafting can be permanent. Once the fat is grafted successfully to a new facial area, it will not be absorbed by the body. Throughout the aging process however, there is the chance that fat loss will continue in the treated facial region.

  Additionally, the treated areas on your face might be overfilled temporarily; this is to compensate for the natural death of some of the transferred fat; only 20% to 50% of the graft may survive after the transfer. This might make the areas look a little full initially, but the fat that survives will stay for years.

• What are some of the risks associated with facial fat grafting?

  As with all surgical procedures, facial fat grafting does present a degree of risk. Facial fat grafting is considered a safe procedure and complications are rare. Complications may include infection, adverse reaction to anesthesia, post-operative bleeding, asymmetry and scarring.

Contact Us

Prospective patients who want to find out more about facial fat grafting in Houston or wish to schedule a consultation at Dr. Norris Plastic Surgery should feel free to call us at 713-383-6400 or toll-free at (888) 448-2130.