Fat transfer after using PCL biostimulator?

Having PCL fillers it’s not an absolute contraindication for having facial fat transfer. Each provider will have their own view on this and some individuals may find it an issue while others may not. It’s not uncommon for providers to prefer patients not have fillers as a baseline when making an assessment or doing permanent facial volume augmentation procedures. Previously placed fillers do not allow the provider to know what’s your baseline Volumes are in can distort the assessment, potentially altering how the procedure is done for ideal outcomes. Whether this in reality makes any difference or not may or may not be reality. Facial fat transfer is inherently unpredictable, imprecise, and can potentially be unforgiving. Fillers on the other hand are highly predictable, very precise, and extremely forgiving. Grafted fat, requires a multitude of variables in order to be successful. One of those is a sufficient Amount of host tissue to support the grafted fat. Soft tissue thickness varies throughout the face, and this can lead to grafted fat retention’s that are different than what the surgeon anticipated.
Anybody considering having facial fat grafting should be very selective when choosing providers. When reviewing before, and after pictures, always confirm the time frame that after pictures were taken in relationship to the procedure. Fat transfer results can look very impressive early after the procedure, but are not final until 3 to 6 months after the procedure. Make sure after pictures represent final long-term outcomes being taken at least 3 to 6 months from the date of surgery.
It is generally better to stick with fillers, because they are simply superior for facial volume augmentation.
Fat transfer can be an option, but patience should recognize that the procedure is less than perfect. Generally speaking when considering it facial fat grafting it’s better to stay on the conservative side and do repeat procedures until appropriate volumes have been established. Grafted fat that survives can be very difficult to remove if patients do not care for the outcome.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD