Fat Transfer Reviews

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“1st Fat Transfer-Very Happy- Newport Beach, CA”

Gipsy Girl

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Spent: $4,500 in Newport Beach, CA

Comments (87)

Updated 22 Sep 2011

Posted 6 Nov 2010

I just had my 1st stage fat transfer done on Thursday. I'm still in the recovery phase and won't really see the final outcome of the procedure for weeks.

I know I won't be disappointed. I have been using fillers to add volume to my face and that was just getting too costly. Fat transfer seemed to really be the only permanent solution for my concerns.

I have a long thin face and as I've gotten older I just had that "gaunt" look. And my skin quality was really getting bad.

I chose my Dr. to do my procedure based on his experience and expertise with Fat Transplantation.

I did it under local anesthesia, which eased my normal anxiety about general anesthesia. The procedure took about 2 hrs if I remember correctly.

I think he put fat in almost every place possible (cheeks, upper eyes, above the brow, temple, forehead and lower cheek). It was ALOT from what I gathered.

I'm quite swollen, don't look like myself, have bruises and some discomfort in my hips where the fat was taken from.

I will be excited to give an update on Real Self when my healing is almost done.

I have no doubts I will fully recommend this procedure!

Updated on 19 Mar 2011:
I'm about 5 months post op now...I will be posting my after photo shortly. I am very happy with my results. So many friends and family have commented how I look younger now. Before, my face was so hollow it was making me look older.

What is most interesting is that my overall skin quality has changed for the better. I've always had issues with acne breakouts and poor skin texture. I also have a dull tint to my skin color. I rarely have a pimple now and my skin texture is a little bit less "rough." I also have a healthier looking color to my face.

I will be having a little touch up or "2nd stage" fat transfer this year... I can use a little more volume in my temples, upper brow, and just a bit to my cheeks. In the meantime, to get me by until then, Dr. Cruise is going to use Juvederm to these areas. It's not that I don't look "good" right now, it's just that I'm really picky and want a slight bit more volume... Juvederm should accomplish that until I have my next fat transfer

Updated on 11 Aug 2011:
If you look at my before and after picture you can definitely see the difference in the cheeks and lower face.

At this point, 1 year post-op, I am ready for a 2nd stage Fat Transfer. The majority of the fat placed in my temples didn't stay and I could use more volume in the lower eyelids/upper cheeks.

This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.

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My Doctor: Joseph Thomas Cruise, MD

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Comments (87)

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Sharon at RealSelf (Community Manager) 8 Nov 2010

Thanks for sharing your experience! Make sure you take photos throughout so you can track your progress. I can't wait to hear how it turns out.

rebeka 9 Nov 2010

Thanks for sharing your experience! I can't wait to hear how it turns out and see your pictures.

Robert T (RealFriend) 21 Nov 2010

Fat Transfer gets a really bad wrap here on Realself I've noticed yet I know easily 3-4 surgeons who are great at this.

Your doctor is one of them.

Please post pictures and keep everybody updated.

This procedure really makes a difference when it's done right!

Reyne 9 Sep 2011

Who? Can you please let me know? I'm looking for someone good

Need Information 5 Oct 2011

It has gotten a bad wrap as the pocedure simple does not work. I know many who have it done with zero sucess.

Colleen4897 26 Oct 2011

What are the right procedures? Please let me know.

Misty H. (RealFriend) 21 Nov 2010

Looking good Kym. It is amazing how good fat can look in the right place.

patientx1 30 Nov 2010

Robert T - can you let m eknow of the other surgeons that are good at Fat Transfer - I'm from Uk but would always travel given the right 'artist'.

Also slim Shady - do your hips look natural after the fat transfer?

Regards

Robert T (RealFriend) 1 Dec 2010

Patientx1

I sent you a private message with a few doctors I can recommend
(to stay within realself's guidelines)

Let me know if you didn't get that message.

jv179 7 Dec 2011

Hi Robert, would you please email me your list of surgeons and your experience with them? I live in Irvine, CA so if they are within 50 miles or in OC would be great.

Thanks so much.
Jessica

Robert T (RealFriend) 1 Dec 2010

Slimshady how's the recovery coming along?

Feeling brave enough for pictures yet?

:)
Thanks for sharing

Julian2011 24 Aug 2011

Hi Robert,
Would you please send me the names of the surgeons as well? thank you

Good face gone bad (RealFriend) 4 Dec 2010

How are you doing Slimshady? Keep us posted.I know it can take time to heal, but are you feeling comfortable with your new look? My guess is that if you like the overall look now, you'll be happy with the end result. My fat transfer has left me lobsided and unnatural looking. I really didn't need this procedure. In hindsight, fillers would have done the trick. I was lopsided from day one and though I was told it would correct - it never did. I still massage with little hope and getting more depressed by the day. I'm looking for ways to remove it with minimal collateral damage.

rebeka 11 Dec 2010

SlimShady,Hi!How are you doing?

Sharon at RealSelf (Community Manager) 18 Mar 2011

How are you doing now? We'd love to hear an update.

jeannierpoore 3 Jun 2011

Hello,

I live in NH and am seriously considering facial fat transfer. Could you send me some names of eastcoast doctors who are highly recommended for this procedure. I know the surgeon who does your work is critical in the outcome and I want to choose the right one.

I am so happy to hear of your positive results.

Thank-you

jeannie

Carol11 30 Aug 2011

This is garbage mediciane. Just like thermage, and thread lifts. No reputible doctors do this stuff. Get a real lift ladies. Don't be cheap with your face !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

notsogood (RealFriend) 30 Aug 2011

I am happy that your fat transfer procedure went well for you. You are one of the lucky few and you should consider yourself extremely fortunate. Unfortunately that is far too often not the case. You need only look at some of the reviews at this site and others to find out that the risk of a bad outcome is far too great. So many of us on here, including myself have had terrible repercussions from fat transfer. And many of us have gone to doctors that were considered very reputable, including yours. There are just too many ways for it to go bad. Lumps, fat sacs under eyes, and distortion. The risk is compounded by the fact that it is almost impossble to repair once its done. It can take months, even years, to get back to a "semi" normal appearance...all at great expense, not to mention the mental anguish of not being able to look at yourself in the mirror without crying. Its devastating. No one tells you that before you have it done. Most of us found out the hard way. I personally think, given the risk that a bad outcome is far too frequent, this procedure should be banned for anything other than severe disfigurement eg.car accidents or gross genetic defect. Read the negative reviews on this site alone for an idea of just how bad F/T can go and the heartbreaking stories of women who have put their lives on hold while desperately seeking a way to even come close to looking like their former selves again. I am one of those victims. I thought it could never happen to me...I was wrong. To anyone considering this procedure, please...please, take a look at the majority of reviews on here that are negative. The risk is too great that you will end up adding your name to the women here (and other sites)who now regret the decision every day they look at themselves in the mirror.

jeannierpoore 31 Aug 2011

Thank-you for your honest and sincere comment. I have not made a decision yet about the procedure. I had plastic surgery seven years ago to correct damage from an accident which tore the ligaments on the right side of my face. The surgery removed so much fat from the side of my face especially around the eye and temple. I have deep pits in these areas and my face appears gaunt. Fat transfer has been recommended by two plastic surgeons as a remedy and I have contacted a doctor at Dartmouth who is very well-know for facial reconstruction however I have not yet seen him for a consultation.

Carol11 31 Aug 2011

My PS is an excellect surgeon, highly respected, was and is known. He used the over fill method that left me with lumps. I look 10 years older. Before the surgery I looked 10 years younger than my age. Find someone who is and expert if FT. Probably an ocular surgeon, but not necessarly, just one who know how to do FT and get rid of lumps. I am so very upset about mine every single day I am SICK. Some people lump and some do not. I don't think they know why. My PS overfill, period.

notsogood (RealFriend) 31 Aug 2011

Jeannierpoore...your situation is one that Fat Transfer probably "should" be used for. It is "reconstructive" rather than strictly cosmeticin an effort to look younger. But please do choose wisely. Take the time to interview a few different doctors and ask lots (and lots) of questions. Take a good look at his photos and be skeptical. Pin him/her down and make it absolutely clear what you want to achieve...or don't want. You might ask him to write it down in your file. Be specific. Ask about his method and if it involves overfilling...and if so, how much. IMO it is better to be conservative and do a little at a time, rather than have too much put in and not be able to get rid of it if all or most of the fat cells survive. Do that even if that means several appointments to get the job done. It may be inconvenient, and perhaps cost a bit more, but its far easier to put fat in...then it is to take out. Many of us found that out a little too late. Less is better with this stuff. Good luck to you, I wish you success.

Need Information 13 Sep 2011

I would like any information from any one that has had positive results from fats transfers. So far , it has all been negative.

lm4550 27 Sep 2011

Thank you so much for your comments. Everything you said hits home. Especially your comments about so much can go wrong and you cannot even look at yourself in the mirror without crying. The people in your life whom love you are devastated. The cost for "repairs" which have all kinds of unpredictable risks and the outrages financial costs, not to mention emotional and then only to look "not so strange" never to look like yourself again. Lots of reputable doctors will not even do fat transfer for these reasons, wish I had never had transfer. Thank you for your comments, I hope they save others for this nightmare.

mttyal 1 Oct 2011

Hi there! Be positive..just look around there are excellents surgeons in every city.This site is only for patient's who have had negative experiences,as you already know.. this is why it's hard to find one someone with a positive outlook.Most of the patient's with great results are NOT here.. they outside enjoying life!having fun! if you are considering having this procedure go ahead! do not get discourage, we all heal in a different way. Good luck!!

notsogood (RealFriend) 1 Oct 2011

Mttyal...this site is not just for positive results. It is for both as you can see as this is written under someone who says she had a positive experience. Its just that the positive experiences are far less frequent than the negative. I see that you have written one post. Where are your positive results...lets see your photos. Or if you know someone who has photos with good results...by all means put them here. Or post the names of the "excellent surgeons" you speak of. If they are so numerous in every city, I am sure you can provide us with a few names...since you apparently have an inside track on that information and are so sure that such results exist. If you are unable to do that, I suspect you may have another agenda. Or please share with us how you are so sure that those patients with "great results" exist. Are you such a patient...or do you know of any personally? Perhaps you could convince them to step in from their "outside fun life" just long enough to say a few words about their great experince. After all, YOU are "here" right? Otherwise, one might consider your "positive outlook" misleading and not terribly helpful to those seeking resources and real life experiences here. Do you happen to be employed by a plastic surgeon who performs fat transfers? If so, share his/her name with us. That would be helpful.

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“1st Fat Transfer-Very Happy- Newport Beach, CA”

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