Can a professional MMA fighter get facial fat transfer? Are there any potential risks to it?

Question

I want to enhance my cheeks and chin but im afraid that since Ill be getting hit in the face that may not be an option. So im wondering if fat transfer would be an option. I hear that once the fat settles its basically permanent. The thing that worries me is the possibility of the fat getting devascularized due to being weaker and not having the connective tissue. I fear that that could lead to necrosis. Also could the fat move from a strong hit after recovery? Is this an option for a fighter?

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

First and foremost, facial fat transfer is unpredictable, imprecise and potentially unforgiving procedure. It is not a good choice for areas like the chin. Do you not mentation should be done using implants or sliding genioplasty. Fillers on the other hand are excellent. Options and fillers should not be altered. In any significant way by having facial impact unless it happens within a few days of having the procedure.
Fat transfer is good and giving overall diffuse volume in the face but even then it is still what I call unpredictable, imprecise, and potentially unforgiving. That transfer is not a good option for giving very specific volume in very small areas.
Rather than focusing on, if fat transfer will survive or be altered by your profession I suggest you first start by getting an assessment, followed by learning of what are the best treatment options.
Generally, speaking, fillers are hands-down superior to fat transfer with the exception of the longevity. We all recognize why people want fat transfer. The only reason is to avoid going in for multiple treatments and having some thing that is permanent. The problem with this is that if the result which, like I mentioned, earlier is unpredictable, turns out different than what you anticipated, then you are now stuck with an outcome that may be very difficult to improve upon. Most likely the results will simply dissipate, and you’ll be left with less of an outcome than you had hoped for. In some cases, however, that survives in an unpredictable manner, leaving a result, that is very different than what you and or the provider had hoped for. Grafting fat successfully is highly dependent on the presence or absence of sufficient host tissue to support the graft. Because soft tissue layers of varying thickness throughout the face areas that lacks efficient post tissue will most likely be the same areas or less of the graft that will survive. These are often in the areas where patients need to buy at the most. Grafting fat for aesthetic purposes in the face is complex, and should only be done by those who have sufficient skills and experience. Patient should also understand if you inherit the nature of the procedure and be highly selective when choosing a provider. Even in the hands of sufficiently talented and experienced providers, you need to recognize that the procedure itself is inherently less than perfect. It is not a good choice for chin augmentation or enhancing bone structure like the cheek bones. 
One idea I often propose to those interested in facial fat transfer is the have the procedure done with temporary fillers first by the same provider you choose to do the final fat grafting version. I having around of fillers you get an idea of what the results will look like and if you don’t like the outcome, then you’ve been saved from having a permanent version of this done by somebody who wasn’t the right provider. Fillers, unlike fat transfer, are very precise. Highly predictabl an extremely forgiving.
I suggest having multiple in person, consultations before, considering any permanent face or body altering procedure.
In the end, patient candidacy and provider selection are the two most important variables. Understanding what each procedure can, and cannot accomplish will help you make better selections of what the right procedure is for you. Finding the right provider requires consulting with more than one surgeon in my opinion. I generally recommend patients start by having five in person, consultations and consider having more unless they feel very confident they found the best provider. For permanent, irreversible operations, people will be reminded of the outcome every day for the rest of your life. Choose carefully.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

Can a professional MMA fighter get facial fat transfer? Are there any potential risks to it?

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Can a professional MMA fighter get facial fat transfer? Are there any potential risks to it?

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Everything you need to know about Facial Fat Transfer

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