Fat Transfer: Stories

Oh, by the way - you were gorgeous before the rhinoplasty but I love your post-op results, and I can't really see the asymmetry that bothers you. It may be one of those things that sticks out to you but others don't notice. You look lovely in the post-op photos. (Hope your skin issues have been resolved, and I'm crossing the Vi Peel off my potential "to do" list...)

schmie2, I found your review when searching for fat grafting reviews. I see in your update that you're not accepting any more personal messages, but I'm hoping you'll be willing to leave a quick update about the fat grafting? The youtube videos are all down now and I'd really like to know the recovery process ahead of time.

@Bunni, I am in the same situation as you. Had uneccassary blephroplasty when I was 30. Ended up with hollowness and dark-circles under my eyes. The surgeon even convinced me to reduce my upper lid(it was my first surgery, I was naive, walked into the first surgeon and signed up for procedure with no reasearch). Now I have ptosis and unable to close my left eye fully. This was 6 years ago....but when you have been burned once - you are all the more carefull. Eyes being such a central part of your face...I have been too afraid to touch it. But at the same time hate the hollowness and dark circles as it ages me A LOT. Anyway, I have been researching and the best surgeons for this procedure in my opinion are Dr Seckel or Taban MD. I actually flew to LA to meet with Taban and was satisfied with the consultation and impressed with him and his experince(he's an occuplast surgeon and only deals with eyes). Dr Seckel is on my shortlist because he is the only one who actually does 'arcus realse' prcedure and has dealt with patients with hollow under eyes and dark circles specifically. Hope this helps!!

In the future, use SINNECH (medical grade arnica). It helps with (little to now) bruising and pain and helps heal faster. I had a face lift and 20 hrs after surgery at my first check up my doctor told me I looked like I was 1.5 weeks into recovery. I use it all the time for injury and surgery for my pets/friends and ALWAYS have the same remarkable results. I also use the pre/post of vitamins from MakeMeHeal.com -excellent. SInnech can be purchased there or Amazon. Makes a HUGE difference in recovery. Appreciate your input as I am now about to have fat transfer and corrective rhynoplasty and am a bit nervous due to the "in office" procedure. Sorry to hear stupid people messed with your posts. Very helpful, I am grateful.

Hi bunni

 

I had a fat transfer along with a face lift and temple list with Dr. Cruise in November 09.  I was so happy with the results that I no longer thought that I was too old to have a breast augmentation. So I went back to Dr. Cruise in April 2010 for a breast augmentation.  I really love these results.   I am thin so I went back to Dr. Cruise for a second stage fat transfer to just add a little fat around my temples (where bone was showing) and in my forehead and just a little more in my cheekc.  The results were subtle, but I am pleased.

 

When I run into people I haven't seen in a while they stop and look almost stare.  I can see their mind thinking.  They tell me I look really great. They then ask if I am doing my hair differently or if I have lost weight. They can tell something is different, but they can't figure it out because it looks natural.

 

I have had 3 surgeries with Dr. Cruise and I love the results from all 3.  He really is a skilled surgeon and a compassionate person. I can't recommend him highly enough. I my experience he is worth it.

 

No I don't work for Dr. Cruise....I am just a very please patient. 

 

Good luck!

Hello Schmie! I am looking into doing fat transfer under my eyes due to loss of volume from a lower eyelid blepharoplasty, removal of my bags under my eyes. My under eyes are flat, and a bit sunken in and I have more wrinkles too and I'm only 27 years and I look older now. I was looking towards Dr. Cruise and I'm sure you heard of him since your on Real self a lot. =) How long has it been post op? Has your fat remained in place or absorbed away? I keep reading horror stories and that fat transfers does not last long etc. And I got quoted 3500 and thats a hefty fee alone. I need some guidances. Help please! =)

You look amazing after your surgery. Thank you for sharing your story.

@Schmie (re update on 09/01/2012). Thank you for your info. It has been very helpful. And you look wonderful both before and after.

In life you can never make everyone happy, so just make yourself happy ;o) Happy new year to you too, I look forward to your vids on youtube. Poca x

Forgive me, my comment was directed at schmie2.

I don't understand why people we're snickering behind your back after surgery. You seem like such a sweetheart.Also, the surgery appears to only be an improvement to an already beautiful girl. Honestly, I was surprised you wanted ps when I saw you before photos. Understandable, though. I get that as well and I desperately want a nose job and possibly a lip lift and fat transfer to the cheeks. What I'm trying to say is you have good genetics should you choose to pass them on. Take that from someone who has extremely harsh standards on feminine beauty.

@Receding eyes, thank you for ur comments. I do agree with u that I don't 'need' nose job. The imperfection is very slight and as per your and my friends opinion I am swaying towards leaving it alone. 


I am 35. The 'teen' pic u refer to is when i was 29. 

I have always had slight eyebags even in my teens. In 2007 (age 31) I consulted a surgeon who told me that I needed Quadrilateral conj. Blep. 

After surgery i had complications, for 2yrs I couldn't close my left eye (it still doesn't close completely and feels tight when I blink). I  had dry & watery eyes, eyebags looked worse, upper eyelids incision widenedleaving a scar, I developed hollowness under around orbital area which I never had before.

 I am now slave to fillers which always leave a tell-tale tide/ridge and I still have bags after the filler, but at least the hollowness disappears. 

Pics don't always tell the full story. The postfiller pics don't show how filler push and frame the eye bags when I smile hence I am looking for more permanent and natural looking solution. Hence I am looking for an ocuplast who will make my under eyes like a baby's bottom. 

My husband tells me that although my problem is not severe but he does see it and agrees i look tired. He is the most 'anti-surgery' person ever. But even he is supporting me on this issue. 

Your fat transfer results are the best I've seen. You still looked good in your pre-op photos but I can sympathize with the frustration you had with your tear troughs; maybe you thought they made you look older than you are.

Comparing your pre to post-op pictures is almost like comparing an adult picture of you to a
late teen picture of you.

Your nose looked fine before. I think way too many women get nose jobs they really don't need. However, a person wouldn't notice the asymmetry of your nose unless you pointed it out to them and I doubt anyone would think it really makes a difference to your overall beauty.

May I ask how old you were when you had it done? I'm 26 now and considering fat transfer for the lower eyelids.

You look great in the photos your submitted. I'm envious of your "apple cheeks." Are they really a product of fillers, or did you have high cheekbones and the same cheekbones when you were younger?

I was born with pretty flat cheekbones, and now as I'm getting older, the loss of fat is making my cheeks look as flat as ever. I've considered getting fat grafting or fillers for this problem. I was wondering what's the story behind your beautiful cheeks, and whether I can achieve similar.

I agree with wth. Many women are disfiguring themselves in an impossible quest. To compete with a photoshopped image is a goal of many women? What about education, volunteerism, spirituality, and love? Aren't those more admirable (and attainable?) goals than having chipmunk cheeks, sausage lips, or half-grapefruit breasts? Is something wrong with our society? Just wondering...? wth, you are right on so many levels!

Don't do it. Problems can happen even with the best doctors. This procedure is too risky and almost impossible to reverse the mistakes. And even if the doctor doesnt make a mistake, you still might get lumps. It has ruined my life for the past year, and many others. Thats all I can say. Good luck!

The profile pic is perfect thanks to photoshop. If you have a look at my post 'eyelid surgeon I am looking for the best' I have posted some real pics of me.

I will be having fat added to my cheek bones and orbital area with possibly marginalis release. So far Kenneth D. Steinsapir is on the top of my list.