Facial fat grafting is an autologous fat transfer cosmetic surgery procedure where the patient’s own body fat is used to plump up and volumize the depleted areas of the face. The procedure involves a recovery component, but the typical downtime is lesser than traditional plastic surgery procedures.
During the initial consultation, the surgeon will discuss the recovery aspect, among other facts about the facial fat grafting surgery.
Remarkable and board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Daniel Lin provides facial fat grafting to patients in West Covina, Inland Empire, San Gabriel Valley, Chino, Rowland Heights, Baldwin Park, Whittier, Brea, Arcadia, Pasadena, Diamond Bar, and surrounding locations in this region of SoCal.
Minimal Discomfort
The advantage with facial fat grafting is that the procedure can mostly be performed without the need for any incisions. Only very tiny openings will be used to extract fat tissue from donor sites, which will then be re-injected into the recipient areas of the face. This makes the facial fat grafting cosmetic surgery procedure less invasive than other types of surgical treatments.
The pain from this procedure will be minimal in almost every case. Discomfort will last for a brief period, and is often manageable with oral pain medication. Patients who are more concerned about the pain may discuss their options for prescription pain medication to be taken after the procedure.
Downtime
Patients will usually be in a position to move about and perform light activities the same day of the injections. But they may have to take a few days off from work to ensure a safer recovery. Patients should be alert against any signs of abnormal or persistent pain, swelling or fever, and in such case, should get in touch with the surgeon.
To minimize the risk and downtime, particularly where significant fat transfer through multiple injections is involved, the surgeon may split the procedure up into a few installments. This will allow for more fat tissue to be grafted with less damage to both the donor and recipient sites.
Recovery Experience
Caring for the injection sites from where the fat was extracted and where it was redistributed is an important part of the recovery. The surgeon will advise the patient about how to care for the sites and minimize infection risks. Some degree of swelling and bruising in the injection areas may occur in the first week. Bruising will resolve by the second week, but swelling may linger on for a few weeks.
Within a week to 10 days, most patients will be able to notice substantial improvement in their results. In about two weeks after the fat injection procedure, the patient’s facial appearance will start returning to its original, natural self. In the intervening period, patients can carefully apply makeup as per the surgeon’s guidance to camouflage any residual signs of swelling.
Patients should maintain a relationship with the surgeon and return to their office for follow-up appointments as scheduled. Prolific and cordial plastic surgeon Dr. Lin receives patients from West Covina, Inland Empire, San Gabriel Valley, Chino, Rowland Heights, Baldwin Park, Whittier, Brea, Arcadia, Pasadena, Diamond Bar, and other communities and suburbs in this part of the state for facial fat grafting.
Click here to learn more about all the plastic surgery procedures and treatments cosmetic plastic surgeon Dr. Daniel Lin performs for patients in and around Pasadena, Chino, Rowland Heights, Baldwin Park, Whittier, Brea, Arcadia, West Covina, Inland Empire, and San Gabriel Valley. Call today to schedule a consultation 626.810.6165 or click here.
