Is fat transfer to face painful while awake?

Question

I am having fat transfer to face plus laser resurfacing under local in a couple months. They are taking fat from my abdomen. I am really worried about being awake during this but the doctor said they will give me Valium before. Will it be painful when they are taking the fat out of my abdomen and what does this usually feel like?

Anthony Corrado, DO · Answer

Fat transfer to the face can be done relatively pain-free with local anesthetic, however, if you are very concerned, you may be able to benefit from intravenous sedation. I would recommend speaking with your surgeon about your concerns.

Eric Seiger, DO · Answer

The fat transfer procedure is relatively pain-free. Your surgeon will inject a local anesthetic and will discuss other measures to ensure your comfort, such as pain killers and anxiolytics like Xanax.

John J. Martin, Jr., MD · Answer

Fat transfer can be easily done with just local anesthesia.  You have to be able to tolerate some injections of local anesthetic, but this can be done without much discomfort.  If you anxious, you can take some meds before hand such as ativan or xanax.  If very anxious you might need IV sedation.

Trevor M. Born, MD · Answer

Dear Sarahform88Thank you for your question!  All procedures can be done comfortably under local only, with sedation or under full anesthesia.  Your surgeon will prepare  you so you are relaxed and the procedure can be done with minimal or no discomfort.With Warm RegardsTrevor M Born MD

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

we do it both ways and patient seem to feel fine without problems.  I suggest seeing an expert who does this frequently, uses puregraft filtration and adds PRP and sculptra to enhance the results.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Arnold Almonte, DO · Answer

Thank you for your question. Fat transfer under local anesthesia is very safe, effective, and comfortable. Your doctor will sedate you with the Valium, but more importantly, inject your abdomen and face with the local anesthetic. This will allow your doctor to harvest the fat and inject it into the recipient sites on your face completely pain free. You may feel a little pressure, or tugging, during the liposuction, but not sharp pain. I wish you the best. You’ve made a great decision.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Fat transfer to the face can be done under local with some oral sedation. If you are very apprehensive then you might be better off to be sedated with intravenous meds by an anesthesiologist.

Glenn Vallecillos, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi and thanks for the question. Fat transfer to the face can easily be performed awake. There is considerable variability in how to pre-treat patients for comfort in facial fat transfer procedures. We pre-treat with an opiate such as percocet and an anxiolytic such as xanax.  The recipient area receiving the fat can also be treated with a local anesthetic to maximize comfort. Best of luck !
Warmest Regards,
Doctor Vallecillos, MD, FACS, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Beverly Hills, CA

Richard W. Fleming, MD (retired) · Answer

I do fat transfer under just local anesthesia, with sedation, or a light general anesthetic. I can use all of these techniques because I have a surgery center in my facility, making a decision based primarily on patient desires.

Is fat transfer to face painful while awake?

Answers (9)

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