Fat Grafting
Conveniently located to serve Plano, TX
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Facial volume loss is one of the major components of facial aging. Dr. Lam wrote the definitive textbook on the subject, Complementary Fat Grafting in 2006, and the book continues to sell out over a decade after its publication. Volume loss is only one component of aging and a surgeon with a good aesthetic eye should avoid the overfilled looks that have turned many people away from fat grafting and/or fillers. Dr. Lam will evaluate your aging face and tailor the right program for you to achieve your desired outcome based on your desires, anatomy, degree of aging, budgets, and recovery time.
Key Points:
- Fat grafting provides a global volumization strategy for the face that can be far less expensive than the alternative, injectable fillers. However, fat grafting has some known downsides. First, there is some variable absorption even though a high percentage is retained. Second, if one is prone to gain and lose a lot of weight, the volume of fat grafting may fluctuate in the face since it is a live graft. Third, if one is very young (<35 years of age, he or she may not be as good a candidate because one’s history of weight stability may not be as established and because he or she may not require that much volume (so fillers may be more suitable). Third, even though fat grafting is permanent, there will be ongoing aging, so fat does not stop aging. Dr. Lam recommends to perform some fillers on an annual basis to maintain against further aging (although this is not mandatory). Fourth, fat works poorly to manage surface defects like acne scars or linear scars. Fifth, fat works poorly for filling lips and also lines of the face like wrinkles and smile lines. If one appreciates the limitations of fat grafting, then Dr. Lam can leverage the advantages of fat grafting in that an individual can look remarkably rejuvenated for less cost all at once.
- Fat grafting can be easily combined with other procedures like upper- and lower-eyelid procedures, lasers, facelift, chin augmentation, etc. Dr. Lam believes that the aging that occurs in the eyelid area is mainly volume loss, so he may remove a little bit of upper eyelid skin or remove a little bit of lower eyelid fat but the principal method by which he rejuvenates the eyelids is by adding volume. Please see the section on Blepharoplasty for a more complete understanding on this subject.
- With the advent of microcannulas (short, blunt-tipped instruments), Dr. Lam can achieve remarkable outcomes in the office using fillers. Fillers, however, take many more rounds of treatments to have a similar longevity to fat grafting. Accordingly, if someone is over 45 years of age (for example) with moderate to significant volume loss, he recommends one to consider fat grafting over the use of fillers. However, for those with a smaller, starting budget or those that do not prefer a surgical procedure (even though fat grafting involves no incisions), then fillers may be the preferred method. Deciding between fat grafting and fillers is a daily conversation that Dr. Lam has with his prospective patients, and he can weigh with you the pros and cons in your case to help make the right decision for you.
- Besides the face, hand fat grafting can provide remarkable rejuvenation for the hands. Many times individuals overlook the importance that hands make to the overall appearance. Dr. Lam says that the only two areas that are not covered by clothing are the hands and the face/neck region. Hands can definitely give away one’s aging. The goal of fat grafting for the hands is not to eliminate wrinkles. Fat grafting does a poor job towards that end. Instead, fat grafting is intended to partially (but not entirely) cover exposed veins and bones of the hand that are associated with aging. Even though fat may not entirely cover all veins and bony landmarks or efface wrinkles, the appearance of the hands after fat grafting can truly look incredibly younger to an onlooker. This could be particularly important for public speakers or for those who use their hands a lot socially on a daily basis. For wrinkles, Dr. Lam uses fractionated lasers that can help improve the quality of skin but because hands cannot tolerate high doses of lasers not all wrinkles will be improved or eliminated. Using all-natural bleaching skin care products should also be used in moderate to significant cases of sun damage to the hands.
FAQs
Does Dr. Lam do touch ups for fat grafting?
What is the nature of the recovery process?
Should I do fat grafting or fillers for my face?
Does Dr. Lam believe that I should do fillers or fat grafting for my hands?
Your Fat Grafting will be performed by Dr. Lam' surgery center located in Plano, TX.
Dr Lam has helped me with fat transfer, botox, and fillers. He is an amazing person with a great personality. I would trust Dr Sam Lam with any Plastic, Reconstructive, or Cosmetic Surgeon procedure. His office runs like a well oiled machine and his staff are super friendly!
Comparison Chart between Fat Grafting vs. Fillers
There are two principal ways to restore facial volume: fat grafting and facial fillers. This is oftentimes a confusing decision for many patients. The following table lists the pros and cons of each method based on Dr. Lam’s experience. Even though this table outlines some of the basic pros and cons of each method, only a consultation with Dr. Lam can help establish with you which method would be better in your case.
Fat Grafting | Fillers | |
Type of Procedure | Surgical (but no incisions) | Office-Based |
Ideal Age | Over 35 years old (with enough facial volume loss to justify the procedure, relatively stable weight, and healthy to tolerate anesthesia) | Any Age |
Short-Term (Initial) Cost | Higher | Lower |
Long-Term Cost | Lower | Higher |
Recovery | 7-10 days: You will not look socially acceptable during the first week but typically have very little discomfort during that time. You should take at least a week off from work. | Typically, mild swelling for a day or so but if there is bruising, that could last in rare cases over a week to two. Ideally, you should give two weeks before major events, a week before minor events, but many return to work the same day or the next day if they are willing to accept some mild swelling and possibly some minor bruising. |
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All fat grafting procedures are performed by Dr Lam personally, at his Cosmetic Surgery center in Dallas Texas. To schedule a fat grafting consultation call 1-888-866-3388 or email us. The details of your fat grafting procedure (both the limitations and the benefits in your particular situation) will be explained to you during your consultation with Dr. Lam and his team.