I had small amounts of fat transferred to my cheeks (8 cc in total: 5cc in one cheek, 3cc in other cheek) and am currently 3 weeks post surgery. Most of my swelling is gone except for some swelling near my upper left lip and left nasolabial fold. What surprises me is that I don't see increased fullness in either cheek now that swelling is down: Is that normal? Does the fat need to settle down before it "takes" and I see the fullness? When can I expect to see final results?
September 2, 2014
Answer: Fat results Fat grafting can take a few months to settle down. So give it time and you will see the final results in 2-3 months as the swelling subsides.
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September 2, 2014
Answer: Fat results Fat grafting can take a few months to settle down. So give it time and you will see the final results in 2-3 months as the swelling subsides.
Helpful
Answer: Fat transfer to the cheeks Dear Curious_Inquirer, Fat grafting to the face is a very common procedure and an excellent way to achieve restoration, volume and contour. There are different methods of fat grafting and, in general, the fat graft will include mature fat cells that need to pick up a blood supply to survive, as well as stem cells that will need to pick up a blood supply may differentiate and add subsequent volume at a later date and period. 8ccs in total – 5ccs into one cheek, 3ccs into the other – is definitely a small amount of fat volume to be transferred. In general, in reading the literature and my own personal experience of 20 years of aesthetic facial surgery, including fat grafting, I tell most patients between 50% and 60% of the fat that is grafted will resolve. Therefore, when judging how much fat will be needed to create the type of volume, contour and shape, one should often add a significant amount of fat over and above that desired to be achieved in order to minimize the risk that the fat graft will dissipate and not pick up a blood supply and the patient will not get the desired volume correction. At three weeks, it is too early to tell what the final result will be. However, you are likely at your most swollen point right now and it is unlikely you’ll get enhanced volume over the subsequent weeks. There is some small likelihood that stem cells will pick up a blood supply differentiate and enhance contour and volume, but this is unlikely. I would wait approximately three to six months and make sure you visit your operative physician for reassurance to ensure that nothing has gone wrong, but there may be some volume enhancement techniques and procedures that may be required. I generally do not go back earlier than six months following fat grafting with enhancement, volume and contouring and generally I will use off-the-shelf products such as Juvéderm® Voluma™ to seek the contour and shape the patient is desiring. I hope this information has been of some assistance and best of luck. Sincerely, R. Stephen Mulholland, MD Certified Plastic Surgeon Yorkville, Toronto
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Answer: Fat transfer to the cheeks Dear Curious_Inquirer, Fat grafting to the face is a very common procedure and an excellent way to achieve restoration, volume and contour. There are different methods of fat grafting and, in general, the fat graft will include mature fat cells that need to pick up a blood supply to survive, as well as stem cells that will need to pick up a blood supply may differentiate and add subsequent volume at a later date and period. 8ccs in total – 5ccs into one cheek, 3ccs into the other – is definitely a small amount of fat volume to be transferred. In general, in reading the literature and my own personal experience of 20 years of aesthetic facial surgery, including fat grafting, I tell most patients between 50% and 60% of the fat that is grafted will resolve. Therefore, when judging how much fat will be needed to create the type of volume, contour and shape, one should often add a significant amount of fat over and above that desired to be achieved in order to minimize the risk that the fat graft will dissipate and not pick up a blood supply and the patient will not get the desired volume correction. At three weeks, it is too early to tell what the final result will be. However, you are likely at your most swollen point right now and it is unlikely you’ll get enhanced volume over the subsequent weeks. There is some small likelihood that stem cells will pick up a blood supply differentiate and enhance contour and volume, but this is unlikely. I would wait approximately three to six months and make sure you visit your operative physician for reassurance to ensure that nothing has gone wrong, but there may be some volume enhancement techniques and procedures that may be required. I generally do not go back earlier than six months following fat grafting with enhancement, volume and contouring and generally I will use off-the-shelf products such as Juvéderm® Voluma™ to seek the contour and shape the patient is desiring. I hope this information has been of some assistance and best of luck. Sincerely, R. Stephen Mulholland, MD Certified Plastic Surgeon Yorkville, Toronto
Helpful 1 person found this helpful