A fat transfer procedure, also called fat injection or fat grafting, uses a patient’s own body fat cells to restore volume or add contour to the face. Mayo Clinic-trained, board-certified Nashville plastic surgeon Chad Robbins, M.D., F.A.C.S., also uses fat grafting to enhance facial features such as the cheeks or chin. Fat injections can bring a youthful look to the face by restoring volume to the cheeks and eyelids.
Restoring Facial Features Naturally – What are Fat Injections?
Fat injections or grafting is a method of restoring the appearance of the face. Using fat from the patient’s body, Dr. Robbins can reduce wrinkles, restore volume to the face, and augment specific facial features. Through microlipoinjection, patients can rejuvenate their appearance naturally and with a non-surgical procedure.
Fat Injection Procedure Details
During a fat transfer procedure, Dr. Robbins performs liposuction to remove a small amount of fat from another part of the body, such as the hips, buttocks, or abdomen. He then purifies the fat and re-injects it into specific areas of the face to achieve the desired results. Dr. Robbins often performs both liposuction and fat transfer during the same procedure.
As some of the transferred fat is naturally absorbed by the body, Dr. Robbins may inject a greater amount of fat initially. In a matter of weeks, the injected fat will incorporate with the surrounding tissue to reveal smooth, natural-looking improvement in shape and volume.
Results from fat injections tend to look and feel the most natural of all the dermal fillers. Since a patient’s own tissue is used, there is no risk of allergic reaction or rejection. Additionally, the results of a fat transfer procedure are among the longest lasting of all injectable treatments.
Desired Results of Fat Injections
Patients generally are happier and more satisfied with their image after receiving fat injections. One of the most important reasons is that there is no risk of allergic reaction, like there may be with some synthetic fillers. The procedure may also be less expensive, as the patient only pays for the service, not the filler. A fat transfer may also last much longer than a synthetic filler, providing a more realistic and natural result.
Fat injections are inserted using individualized procedures. In the initial consultation, Dr. Robbins discusses each patient’s goals realistically. Since fat injections may be performed in conjunction with other facial surgeries, the patient and Dr. Robbins together decide which procedures he will perform in order to achieve the desired results. Once a date for surgery is set, Dr. Robbins and his staff will give instructions about how to prepare.
Am I a Candidate for Fat Injections?
Dr. Robbins recommends fat injections for patients who wish to improve the volume or shape of their face or who appear haggard and tired. Fat injections are also suited for patients who may have allergies to synthetic fillers.
How Much Do Fat Injections Cost?
Cost for fat injections will depend on the extent of the procedure as well as the number of treatments required to achieve the desired result. Most insurance plans do not cover plastic surgery or cosmetic procedures. Financing is offered via CareCredit® and Prosper Healthcare Lending. For payment information, please contact the office to see what options are available to you.
Chad Robbins, M.D., F.A.C.S., is board certified in plastic surgery, and he is skilled in the most advanced cosmetic and reconstructive surgery techniques for men and women in and around Nashville and Franklin. In addition to performing facial plastic surgery, he is a leading provider of breast augmentation, liposuction, and other body contouring procedures. His focus is on helping patients enhance their quality of life as they achieve their aesthetic goals. Please contact us to schedule a consultation with Dr. Robbins in Nashville.
