Fat Transfer: Stories

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Fat Transfer to Face and Cheeks....very Conservative Approach - Virginia Beach, VA

I was going in for a touch up on my nose...

  • 20 Dec 2012

I was going in for a touch up on my nose (technically considered my third rhinoplasty in 11 years) and my doctor recommended a tiny bit of fat in my nose to make the result more symmetrical. I figured if I was being put under and he was already harvesting fat, I may as well get some to my newly sunken cheeks (turning 35 soon; just went from 145-125 over the summer) and my lips have always been pretty average/somewhat thin.

My doctor and I decided on a very subtle approch. He is conservative by nature, and I have been known to swell up like a balloon.

The surgery was uneventful. The only problem I had night of surgery was a small amount of bleeding at the donor site on my left flank. (He couldnt get any viable fat on my lower abdomen)

So, here I am one day out and I have NO bruising! My lips are swollen but I kind of like them that way! haha. He did start me on vitamins and arnica that he provided days before surgery. I think that helped.

I go for my 1st post op Friday, where I have a sneaking suspicion he will want to do more in my cheeks, as I see that there is still some age realted sagging in the skin.

Day Three post op...addding new pics and another...

  • 22 Dec 2012
Day Three post op...addding new pics and another before that shows the difference in my cheeks. This is the first day I feel pain in my cheeks, but I have had ZERO pain killers. Just valium to keep me placated watching television in bed.

4 weeks....just got back from post op appointment....

  • 18 Jan 2013
4 weeks....just got back from post op appointment. I will go back in 6 weeks to see about getting some juvederm to replump the lips. otherwise I am happy with the results! Will probably go in for another fat transfer in a year or two.

Hi guys...sending an update. It is now 3 months...

  • 16 Mar 2013
Hi guys...sending an update. It is now 3 months post op and I LOVE the results. I updated in the replies below, so make sure to read that! I did go in for a touch up on March 4th and got 1/2 a vial juvederm in my lips and he injected my cheek area with some fat he had frozen from the surgery. I will say...it was PAINFUL! But it was over quickly and I was fine once the buzzing nerve pain went away (lasted only a few seconds)

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Denton D. Weiss, MD

My Doctor: Denton D. Weiss, MD

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Comments (20)

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susla1556 3 Apr 2013
I am planning on getting some fat added to my cheeks saved from my first transfer. Can you tell me how long you were swollen and did you have downtime? I'm very nervous about it. Thanks for the pix, you look fabulous!!
Emilyanne 3 Apr 2013
Hi! Thanks for the kind words. I was not significantly swollen; I would say after a week I was out and about without any strange looks. haha. I did have a bruise on one cheek for several weeks which I covered with makeup. The fat touch up in the office post op there was no downtime at all. Hope that helps and good luck to you!
amelia girl (RealFriend) 16 Mar 2013
Thanks for updating us. I just noticed you were in VA beach. I am in MD. I think we are only about 4 hours apart. You look great! Keep updating us at 6mths, 1 & 2 years, etc... I have had facial fillers ( I'm 46) and botox and it does give a nice look in the right hands. I have had bad hands & then finally found good hands although the original work is still there & imperfect although nothing disfiguring so I just try to ignore it the best I can. The worst part was after the "bad hands" I developed very bad "malar mounds" which look like someone drew lines across my cheeks in certain lighting. Mostly under florescent lighting (at the gym). That is the part that bothers me the most as it can not be fixed. Best of luck to you!! Thanks again!!
amelia girl (RealFriend) 16 Mar 2013
Hi Emily Anne, Can you do an update on your blog instead of in the replies? It says on your story "updated 2 mths ago". So, it is hard to tell you updated it. Does the area look smooth and even after some of the fat went away? Does he do fat transfer to the breasts as well for alot of women on here are looking for that? Thanks
Emilyanne 16 Mar 2013
Thanks for the heads up! I just updated. :-) I am fairly certain Dr. Weiss does Fat transfer to anywhere on the body; I recommend calling. They are very nice, helpful and informative. :-)
Nicole911 8 Mar 2013
How is your fat transfer holding up? Has most of it gone?
Emilyanne 10 Mar 2013
Hi Nicole! I replied with updated info below. Hope that helps! :-)
Blue06 3 Mar 2013
Emilyanne, you look stunning! A conservative approach definitely seems to be the way to go with fat transfer. @RedRoxie - you said your procedure was done recently, yes? How long has it been? There seems to be a wide variance in how long it takes for the swelling to settle down, and some doctors have said it can take up to 6 months to really see how much of the grafting is permanent. Maybe you're just one of the unlucky ones that is healing slowly? Fingers crossed that you'll end up loving your final results and the wait will have been worth it!
Emilyanne 10 Mar 2013
Thanks! I would say that 80% has held up in the upper cheeks, 20% stayed in the lower cheeks, and about 10% stayed in the lips. I went in on the 4th and my Doctor injected my lips with juvederm ulra (I love them!) and actually injected my cheeks with some fat that he had frozen and saved from the procedure. All we used was numbing lidocaine cream, so it was pretty painful. But worth it! I am happy with the results and absolutely recommend Dr. Weiss and his approach to anyone considering fat transfer.
aje66 21 Feb 2013
you look natural young and amazing
Emilyanne 10 Mar 2013
Thanks! (Thanks to Dr. Weiss! haha)
RedRoxie 19 Jan 2013
looks great
RedRoxie 16 Jan 2013
would love to see current photos. I recently had fat by a top doc and I look like a freak. Overfilled-don't want to be seen or go out. You are so lucky. I am telling everyone i know NOT to do this procedure. ITS AWFUL
Emilyanne 16 Jan 2013
Funny...I was just thinking how I wished he had filled me more. But I dont think they really know what your body is going to metabolize, so I am sure that a conservative approach is best the first time. I will probably get some juvederm fillers tomorrow...not sure. I will upload a current pic now so you can see. To me it seems as if it is all gone! :-(
mistered 26 10 Jan 2013
how is it looking?
Emilyanne 10 Jan 2013
Hi! I am planning on posting after my post-op appt on the 18th. In my opinion, I have lost a lot of volume. I will post pics on the 18th for all who are curious!
Unoq 22 Dec 2012
You know, your results are really great. I had a gaunt face and the doctor put too much fat in the wrong areas. I wish i could've had a result like yours, but unfortunately I was naive and under-researched when I got fat grafting. I am guessing that if it goes down, your doctor will conservatively touch the areas up? I've heard of some doctors who do fat grafting in stages, but this is the first time I've ever seen it. Thanks for sharing your outcome.
Emilyanne 23 Dec 2012
Thanks for the reply! Yes, I highly recommend my doctor and his approach. The next step is waiting to see what stays and what doesnt. I am not scheduled for any touch ups, but would possibly get juvederm in small areas (especially my lips if they go back down) and he told me he touches up with the fat about every 2-3 years for patients that he has had in the past.
Sharing 23 Jan 2013
Emilyanne, You look great!
Emilyanne 24 Jan 2013
Thanks! I hope it stays! LOL! I will keep everyone updated. Next appt is in March.

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