Do hyaluronic based fillers affect the results of a facial fat transfer even after they are dissolved?

Question

I'm planning to get a facial fat transfer but due to recovery am considering getting fillers to tide me over, and dissolving in prep for the fat transfer when time comes. Wondering if scar tissue or channels from the filler in 'virgin territory' affects the overall chance of a good outcome for the transfer. I know many people start with fillers, but since I haven't, is there an advantage to my face being unfilled before the fat procedure? Male, 30s

Yannis Alexandrides, MD, FACS · Answer

I would say that hyaluronic fillers can affect the results of a Facial Fat Transfer as they would fill the area of the face and alter the amount of filling that you need to get a good effect.

If you have a made the decision to have Facial Fat Transfer, I believe it would be better to start with that rather than having fillers first.

It is best to wait until you are completely sure the fillers have dissolved as you don't want this is implicit the final results.

Vickram Tandon, MD · Answer

There are a few areas of the face where the I need to have filler dissolved prior to the surgical operation - rhinoplasty, bone-related upper or lower jaw surgery, lower eyelid operations, amongst others. With "soft tissue" operations, like a fat transfer, the filler is generally safe and can be worked around or removed. However given that filler resorbs over time, it creates a moving target. My recommendation would be to pursue the fat transfer first, assess the final outcome, and then decide whether any further intervention is necessary.

Do hyaluronic based fillers affect the results of a facial fat transfer even after they are dissolved?

Answers (2)