Can Fat Injection procedures Replace Injectable Filler Treatments? Tri Valley Plastic Surgery

Injectable fillers such as Restylane and Juvéderm are temporary treatments. Over time, the body gradually breaks down and resorbs the filler, so the treatment eventually needs to be repeated to maintain the effect. Fat transfer can provide a longer-lasting, and potentially permanent, way to restore volume in many of the same areas treated with fillers. For patients who have previously used fillers and liked the effect, fat grafting can be a good option for a subsequent procedure, particularly when they are looking for a more durable solution. The concept is to remove fat from a less desirable area—usually the abdomen or flanks—using liposuction and then transfer that fat to an area where additional volume is desired. This is called fat grafting or fat transfer, and the process of placing the harvested fat into the treatment area is sometimes referred to as lipoinjection. The main challenges with fat transfer are getting a sufficient amount of the transferred fat to survive, avoiding over- or under-correction, and creating a smooth, natural-looking contour. The amount of fat that ultimately survives can vary from patient to patient, which is why achieving the desired result sometimes requires careful planning and, in some cases, more than one treatment. Make sure you find a board-certified plastic surgeon who has experience with this technique as there is a significant learning curve to produce good results.