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58CC Facial fat transfer to correct laser damage/atrophy

UPDATED FROM Mitty27
1 year post

Looking into "touch up" asap

M
Mitty27
WORTH IT$5,470
Hey, y'all
Well, I am about 18 months out at this point. I am looking into having a touch up done, which I said a couple times in the past but things have been crazy with COVID-19. I am going to check back in with Culbertson (my plastic surgeon for this specific transfer) and another Dr closer to me and then possibly one in ATL... I've reached out to one so far and will be contacting the others this week.
I have retained so much volume from my surgery but my apples and hollows are flatter than the rest of my face, especially in bad lighting. My under-eye area is actually fuller than my cheek so it's been nagging at me. I am going to look into having a good amount of fat transferred into those areas. I'm still happy with my results but am hoping one additional transfer will leave me completely at peace and ready to age gracefully and NATURALLY, which the laser stole from me.
While my mental health has improved dramatically after my first transfer, I still have some anxiety and been obsessing over the less revised areas of my face. I've gotten in super good shape so I'm worried about not having enough fat but will see what the Drs say.
I'm posting some pics that are in the worst possible lighting to showcase the changes I want done. Generally speaking, my face looks pretty decent in natural light but some lights are reallyyyy unflattering.... So here's hoping I can get 100% past this! I'll keep y'all updated about what the Drs say and what I decide to do.

Mitty27's provider

Dr. Gary Culbertson

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Dr. Culbertson is a phenomenal plastic surgeon. He always spends time answering all my questions and concerns during my appointments. He is meticulous during surgery and well practiced in his specialty. I would recommend him to anyone considering a facial fat transfer!

Replies (5)

R
September 14, 2020
M
September 16, 2020
My skin is much better than it was and hydrates better, as well. My skin is still dry, though I attribute that more to my age than anything else.
I
September 14, 2020
Mitty, you do look gorgeous! I wrote that to you before, and so many think the same! Gorgeous! Do you know how many cc's you got in your middle cheek areas the first time? And how many additional cc's will you be requesting? I need my middle cheeks restored, and I'm trying to learn how many cc's make them nice and full. I had very full apples before my thermal procedure disaster.
M
September 18, 2020
I am not sure... I'll let you know how much they do for the second transfer!
I
September 20, 2020
Thank you, Mitty. You're very sweet (and very brave!) to give us details of your journey, along with your photos. So many of us suffered facial fat loss after thermal ray procedures, and you become an invaluable source of light.
J
September 14, 2020
Thank you for updating! Your fat transfer journey has helped me as I am suffering the same fat loss damage just within this last year. Your posts have really helped me mentally.
M
September 18, 2020
I am SO sorry you're going through that. It is one of the hardest things I've experienced but I am so glad I decided to do the fat transfer; I feel as though it healed my face and mind.
H
October 5, 2020
Hey love! Look into renuva adipose matrix injections. It is pretty much donor fat Injected into you that doesn't require any more liposuction surgeries and is booming right now in LA and NYC. It can be injected in the face, hands, butt, boobs, also it is being used to correct lipo defects and divets. If you find little uneven areas on your stomach it can also be corrected. The injections last forever as they cause your body to produce it's own fat in the regions injected. Search dr. Jason emer renuva and watch his videos on his website. I hope you find healing and happiness at the end of this and limit the amount of surgeries to repair it all. Btw you look beautiful right now but I too understand how much these things can drive us crazy. Good luck!
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D
October 5, 2020
Which doctors are you thinking of in Atlanta? I looked into it there about three years ago, and couldn't find anyone I was really confident with. I looked into the Emory doctors, but they didn't have much in the way of before-and-after shots, which I really need to feel confident. Plus, they wanted to do it under general anesthesia, which is more expensive and a bit riskier.
UPDATED FROM Mitty27
1 year post

One year post-surgery :)

M
Mitty27
I've had amazing retention of fat from my surgery. I am super pleased with my results and couldn't have asked for a better doctor. :) I very rarely feel self-conscious anymore and people generally think I'm a little younger than I am, similar to before I had my laser procedures done.

Replies (5)

I
March 31, 2020
AMAZING results, Mitty!!! Truly!!!
M
April 1, 2020
Thank you so much!! <3 :)
S
March 31, 2020
Im so jealous. I had two fat transfers and none of mine stayed. I wish I had your results you look amazing! Congratulations your surgeon did a great job!
M
April 1, 2020
I'm sorry yours didn't stay. We've all wasted too much money on laser damage. It's ridiculous.... I hope you find a solution. I finally feel free from all the trauma.
M
April 6, 2020
So happy to hear this. I am eager to hear if anyone has had lip reconstruction from laser damage - my upper lip is about gone when I give a natural, full smile. I'm so humiliated by it. Your one year results are incredible.
I
April 6, 2020
Hi mes6890, my lips and face were ruined by thermal fat damage too. PM me and let me know where you live. I think I can help you.
I
April 6, 2020
Hi mes6890, my lips and face were ruined by thermal fat damage too. PM me and let me know where you live. I think I can help you.
G
April 11, 2020
How are your scars now do you think the fat improved them and skin texture? P.S you look really great xx
M
April 29, 2020
They're definitely still there but better than before. :)
G
July 2, 2020
Do you have any lumps/bumps? I want to do this so bad and I’m about your age. I had a week of extreme weight loss and my face hasn’t looked the same since. You look so great. What made you pick this doctor specifically?
M
August 4, 2020
No lumps or bumps here :)
UPDATED FROM Mitty27
10 months post

10 month post-surgery update

M
Mitty27
LOVING my results! I could still use a tiny tiny touch-up in my apples to increase the smoothness in my face but everything looks pretty great to me. Super super happy!! Couldn't ask for a better result. I feel so confident again!! It's incredible how much less time I spend thinking/worrying about my face/appearance. Dr. Culbertson absolutely saved my face from laser atrophy.

Replies (5)

J
January 14, 2020
Pretty!
M
January 14, 2020
Thank you!! <3
G
January 15, 2020
wow your skin looks amazing and the best thing is that your skin will continue to get better and better just amazing!! x
M
January 18, 2020
Thank you!!! <3
C
January 18, 2020
Im so happy for you and this gives me so much hope for my damage that I could cry. Im slotted to go in March 11th for my transfer and was also wondering about eyebrows. When you had yours done, did he actually inject under the line of eyebrow hair itself? I’m so thrilled for you and I can’t wait to be on the path back to peace of mind like you and not have to worry about my face anymore
M
January 18, 2020
Thank you!! I hope you also find relief!! Yes, he actually used fat to raise my eyebrows somewhat and filled in below, as well. It is easier to see in my earliest post-op pictures. I had stitches in my eyebrows from where the Dr used the cannula.
C
January 18, 2020
That is brilliant because yes, the atrophy has made my eyebrows along with many other women’s droop! We’ve all talked about it and how it could possibly be corrected without major facelift surgery and I’m happy to hear that fat can be a fix. I really don’t want to go down the road of any kind of lifting due to this damage since I’m only 30. I’m trying to be realistic with my expectations but I’m also hoping that a fat transfer will really help mostly correct all of this. Do you happen to know how much he used in your eyebrows?
M
January 19, 2020
I have no idea how much he used. He completely restored my eyes with fat, no other procedure needed. I'm 34 so I would assume you could have even better results considering your younger age.
P
January 20, 2020
Thank You for posting your journey. I’m 4 weeks out. I had 38cc. I have the exact swelling and redness under my eyes that you did at 4 weeks. I’m so thankful to see that it resolves. I’ve had days of worrying I made a mistake but it gets better every few days. Seeing how good you look gives me peace. You are adorable before and after.
M
January 26, 2020
Glad it was helpful to you! I looked scary for a couple months haha! Happy healing and thank you!