I developed fat necrosis of the face after a fat transfer. How safe is Renuva or matrix to remodel the face? (Photo)

Question

I am 16wks post-op of fat transfer to the face, unfortunately I developed fat necrosis on the right side of my face. I have been followed by my dermatologist, who has me on prednisone and hyrdoxychloroquil to reduce the inflammatory response and in hopes to reduce the large lumps. My plastic surgeon is recommending to fix the face once the flare up subsides with Matrix or Renuva. Are they safe if someone has underlying autoimmune tendency

Rodney A. Green, MD · Answer

Fat necrosis in your face should be extremely rare. I am concerned about the technique that was used for your fat grafting. I would not like you to use a processed fat product that has no live cells in it. It would be better to use your own fat again done in a proper way to fix the problem.

Ellen Marmur, MD · Answer

I'm sorry to hear about the complications you've experienced with your surgical fat transfer. To answer your questions, Renuva is regulated by the FDA, has passed rigorous safety testing and is very safe – and it's an amazing treatment for replacing age-related volume loss in the face. 
Your plastic surgeon is quite right to recommend delaying your Renuva treatment until your autoimmune disorder is no longer experiencing a flare-up. You might also want to discuss this with your rheumatologist. 
I think you will be very happy with the results of your Renuva treatment, and another plus is that you can do the treatment in your doctor's office without the need for anesthesia or downtime.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Renuva undergoes rigorous safety testing, is regulated by the FDA, is very safe when injected into the face, and does not contribute to autoimmune flare ups. Your surgeon is right, though – you should definitely wait until your flare up subsides before getting a Renuva treatment.

I'm sorry to hear about the complications you've had after your facial fat transfer.

One of the many benefits of Renuva is that it is an off-the-shelf treatment that can be injected in your doctor's office without the need for anesthesia.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

If you have auto immune disease then you should probably check in with your rheumatologist or whoever manages that. Perhaps that is your dermatologist?
I’m not sure I would put someone on prednisone for facial fat necrosis.
The single area or lump on your face looks like it would be easy to aspirate with a 14 gauge needle. Fat often liquefies when it dies.
Maybe getting rid of the dead fat before it turns to scar tissue is an option.
In the end fat necrosis often leads to firm nodules that can only be removed with direct excision anyway.
There is no absolute right or wrong way to manage the situation. Probably let your doctors do the doctoring.
Those products are probably safe in someone with auto immune disorder but people can have different responses to them.
Again, checking with the doctor who  is managing your auto immune disease.
Best, 
Mats Hagstrom MD

I developed fat necrosis of the face after a fat transfer. How safe is Renuva or matrix to remodel the face? (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Treatment of fat necrosis in the face

Answer: Treatment of fat necrosis in the face

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Everything you need to know about Renuva

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I developed fat necrosis of the face after a fat transfer. How safe is Renuva or matrix to remodel the face? (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Treatment of fat necrosis in the face

Answer: Treatment of fat necrosis in the face

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Renuva

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.