Recommend Facial Fat Transfer for 74-year-old Woman?

Question

I am a 74 year old woman concerned about the lines around my mouth,the nasal fold,the lines at the side of my upper cheek area.   My doctor wants to use my body fat to fill in all these areas and give my face a fuller look. Do you recommend this? I have had two face lifts, the last about 12 years ago.  What are the negatives to the use of fat?                                 Many thanks. Also - Is the use of fat more costly than other fillers? Can you tell me about what this might possibly cost?

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

I do not find that fat transfer, fat grafting or fat injections (all the same procedure) are very effective around the mouth area. The volume depletion of the cheeks can be augmented quite nicely by fat injections. Smile folds can also be treated well but usually don't last as long as the fat injections into the cheeks.  Sculptra volumization is similar in volume and cost to fat injections, but Sculptra lasts up to two years in some patients, less or more in others.  Fat may not work in some patients but in others the grafted cells "take" and live for years after a series of treatments. Both Sculptra and Fat injections could be of similar cost depending on the amount of Sculptra needed. There may be long-term correction of the fat injections and then your amortized cost becomes less than other fillers that last less than one year.

Siamak Agha, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

Yes to all your questions.  I would recommend this procedure to give you fuller cheek and to correct the nasolabial folds.  It is a wonderful adjunct to your previous facelift procedures and is relatively low risk at your age.  It is typically significantly more expensive than a filler as it is a permenant soluation and involves minor surgery.

David Shafer, MD, FACS · Answer

Without pictures, it is hard to give you specific advice.  However, from your description, it sounds like you are a good candidate for fat transfer / fat grafting.  As far a cost, fat grafting usually ends up being less expensive than fillers since fat grafting virtually has unlimited volume that can be injected and fillers have a cast per syringe which can add up quickly.  Also, fillers last 6 months a 1 year, while fat grafting has the potential to be permanent.  Good luck.

Samir Shureih, MD · Answer

Wen considerinf facial rejuvenation each individual should be considered individualy, with analysis of their aging, what bothers them and what is the best approach to achieve what they want. Consider the history, the cost  fat transfer is a great way to correct the aging and loss of fat in the face with age. A repeat face lift can achieve that too. depend on your particular case.
See a BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON that you trust discuss your wants and after exam he /she will discuss all the options available and cost of each.
Avarage cost of the surgeon for a face lift is $ 6881 plus anesthesia and facility 
fat transfer Total cost about $ 6000
you may need a combination of the two

Peter A. Aldea, MD · Answer

As long as you are otherwise healthy, fat transfer for facial rejuvenation would be a reasonable option for you. In the long term, fat would be a cheaper and more natural and compatible filler than all other fillers.
You may wish to consider having facial skin resurfacing before the fat grafting to get as healthy and tight skin as you can before the fat transfer.
for safety, you should have a medical clearance and be off drugs and dietary supplements which thin the blood or promote bleeding/bruising before any major surgical procedure.

Recommend Facial Fat Transfer for 74-year-old Woman?

Answers (7)

Answer: Facial rejuvenation

Answer: Facial rejuvenation

Answer: Facial Fat transfer in a 74 yo Woman

Answer: Facial Fat transfer in a 74 yo Woman

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Everything you need to know about Facial Fat Transfer

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Recommend Facial Fat Transfer for 74-year-old Woman?

Answers (7)

Answer: Facial rejuvenation

Answer: Facial rejuvenation

Answer: Facial Fat transfer in a 74 yo Woman

Answer: Facial Fat transfer in a 74 yo Woman

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Recommended reading

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.