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DRL Plastic Surgery

FACIAL FAT GRAFTING
PHOENIX AZ

Serving Phoenix, Scottsdale, Gilbert Glendale, Paradise Valley and surrounding AZ

HOME | FACE | FACIAL FAT GRAFTING
Facial fat grafting is also known as fat transfer. This cosmetic procedure entails moving fat cells from one part of the body to the face (in order to add volume). Facial fat contributes to softness and curves of youth to the face. Older people’s faces tend to appear skeletal due to thinning of the skin and shrinking of muscle, bone, and fat from the face. This facial aging process begins early on and can even affect young adults and middle-aged individuals.

Scottsdale and Gilbert surgeon Jude LaBarbera performs facial fat grafting to enhance his patients’ appearance. This minimally invasive procedure is ideal for restoring the youthful appearance many men and women crave. Facial fat transfer can be performed on patients of any age.

Younger women can especially benefit from fat grafts under the eyes, lips, cheekbone and other areas. This procedure may be performed as part of a facial rejuvenation regimen to enhance the softness and curves of the face.

In order to achieve a youthful and more pleasing look, Dr. Jude LaBarbera takes fat from the abdomen or thigh areas and uses it to fill specific areas of the face. Many patients prefer fat transfer for contouring the face because it lasts much longer compared to dermal fillers. Dr. LaBarbera has helped countless patients in the Gilbert, Scottsdale, Phoenix and surrounding Arizona areas look beautiful and youthful again with facial fat grafting.

What can Facial Fat Transfer treat?

Autologous fat grafting uses the patient’s own natural tissue to fill hollow areas and wrinkles on the face. During fat transfer cosmetic procedure, fat cells are completely removed from their blood supply at the donor site. They then rely on ingrowth of a new blood supply (capillary network) to support them at the recipient site.

Various facial treatment applications for this procedure include:

  • Facial contouring
  • Correct deep lines on the face
  • Correct thin lips
  • Correct depressed scars
  • Reduce dark circles
  • Improve crow’s feet, wrinkles and fine lines on the face
  • Improve sunken cheeks and frown lines

WHO SHOULD CONSIDER A FACIAL FAT TRANSFER?

You may be a good candidate for this cosmetic procedure if you are looking to:

  • Soften facial lines and wrinkles
  • Eliminate a ‘hollow’ looking face
  • Fill out sagging cheeks and other areas of the face
  • Utilize the body’s natural tissue to avoid allergic reactions that may be caused by dermal fillers
  • Achieve more lasting facial contouring results compared to dermal fillers

Benefits of Fat Transfer

In addition to simple volume correction, fat grafts can provide further benefits. Adding volume to the upper face tends to provide some lift. More so, fat grafts can enhance the quality of overlying skin, possibly because they are the richest source of adult stem cells.

A facial fat transfer looks and feels more natural compared to artificial fillers. What’s more, this is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure.

Before & After Photos

The LaBarbera clinic is a full-service plastic, reconstructive, and cosmetic surgery practice offering a broad range of procedures to enhance your natural beauty and take your confidence to the next level. We go the extra mile to make each patient comfortable and our surgical team works together to achieve results as dramatic or as subtle as you desire. Dr. Jude LaBarbera takes great pride sharing in each patient’s vision and working diligently to help each one of them feel more attractive, confident, and vivacious than ever before. If you are wondering whether plastic surgery with Dr. Jude LaBarbera can help reach your goals, see our before and after photos from patients who are already living with their results.
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During fat grafting, patient’s are usually under general anesthesia, and it usually takes 1-2 hours, depending on the extent of the procedure. Treatment may take between 45 minutes and 1 hour, depending on the extent of the procedure. This treatment may be paired with other procedures such as a facelift, eyelid surgery, cheek lift, or a brow lift. The particular treatment regimen is discussed with the surgeon based on the patient’s aesthetic goals. Many patients experience swelling immediately after the procedure but this subsides with time. The results of a facial fat transfer are typically evident within 2-4 weeks. During your initial consultation visit, Dr. LaBarbera will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the cost of the procedure, expectations and the recovery process.

Choosing a donor site

Fat cells (for the procedure) are usually harvested in areas of your body where there is excess fat, using the process of liposuction. The most common donor sites include the abdomen, love handles, thighs, inner knees, and neck. In cases where a low volume grafting is required, Dr. LaBarbera will extract fat from the neck so that patients can also benefit from a neck liposuction.

Planning for facial fat transfer

Facial transfer procedures varies from patient to patient depending on the volume of grafting required and where it is needed. Costs will increase if this procedure is combined with other cosmetic procedures such as a neck lift or facial rejuvenation. Insurance typically does not cover facial fat graft. Dr. LaBarbera’s staff will provide an all-inclusive quote that includes the surgeon’s fees, facility fee, anesthesia costs, and any supplies that may be needed.

Dr. Jude LaBarbera performs fat grafting procedure at his ultra-modern operating room in Scottsdale or Gilbert, AZ. He is supported by a team of highly skilled and licensed staff. Dr. LaBarbera works individually with each one of his patients to achieve the desired results.

Average Cost

Varies

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Procedure Time
1 – 2 Hours
Recovery Time
2 – 4 Weeks
Insurance
Not Covered
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Facial Fat Transfer FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Fat injections vs fillers?

In past decades, cosmetic surgeons relied on artificial fillers for facial volume restoration. Although these fillers did a pretty good job at restoring the volume of facial structures, they had various advantages. They may be absorbed by the body over time, necessitating a secondary injection. On the other hand, restoration using autologous fat grafts leads to more natural and longer-lasting results. Also, another good thing about having your fat transfer done at Dr. Jude LaBarbera’s office is that you’ll not experience any allergic reactions.

Are the results of facial fat transfer permanent?

About 60% of all fat moved through a fat graft survives, offering long-lasting effects. The permanence of results from a fat transfer will vary from one patient to the other. The surgeon may inject a little more fat during the procedure to compensate for any losses. During your initial consultation visit with Dr. LaBarbera, he will determine the best approach to make sure that you get optimal results – based on your cosmetic goals.

Jude LaBarbera MD Plastic Surgery of Scottsdale & Gilbert has provided this website for informational purposes only. This website does not constitute formal medical advice. Please contact our office to schedule your plastic surgery consultation to further discuss your medical needs. Serving Gilbert, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale, and other surrounding cities in Arizona, including Paradise Valley, Chandler, and Mesa AZ.