Fat Transfers to Face and Hands

The use of harvested fat to enhance the look and definition of body parts is a practice that has been around for some time. A significant number of individuals experience the accumulation of fat in some body parts but lack the desired look in others. The face is the first body part the people we interact with notice during our day to day interactions. For many women, the appearance of the chin or lips remains a cause for concern.

In the same manner, many individuals have unwanted padding in the midsection and thigh areas. Fat transfers involve the extraction of extra tissue in donor sites, treatment of harvested cells, and subsequent injection in the target region. This migration of tissue yields fantastic results, and the skilled doctors at the Chicago Liposuction and Specialty Clinic work to complete patient satisfaction, offering tailor-made procedures for each.

Why Have a Fat Transfer Procedure?

The conventional methods of body sculpting involve the adoption of healthy eating habits and maintaining an active lifestyle. These approaches have some shortcomings, and are inapplicable in a range of situations, specifically in enhancing your facial profile or remedying soft tissue damage or saggy skin in your hands. Hands tend to bear loose skin with age, and since it’s a body part that remains uncovered for the most part, this is a cause for concern to a significant number of people. Liposuction removes extra fat from donor sites and provides the much-needed raw material for a fat transfer.

This phase tones the area, with a lower amount of fat leading to better muscle definition and a trim look. The use of your body cells reduces the chances of having to deal with unforeseen complications down the line as well.

Due to aging and weight loss, the skin in the hands tends to sag. Time also sees the body continually produce less collagen, leading to wrinkles in the face. Loss of skin elasticity results in lines below and at the corners of your eyes, in the nose and mouth region, and a distinct loss of definition in the chin. Lips also lose their fullness and appear thin as well. Fat transfers bring back the contouring in these areas, with some fantastic results courtesy of our experienced physicians.

Who is a Suitable Candidate?

We understand the financial challenges in getting some procedures done, so we offer complimentary consultations to all our patients. During this discussion, the doctor explains the process, what the best approach is regarding preparation and post-op care, and we provide an accurate quote for the process. The surgeon ascertains that you meet the minimum requirements for the procedure at this point. If you are underweight, you may get a recommendation to put on a few pounds before your surgery. There has to be enough fat for a successful procedure.

A smart approach is to take notes of all critical bits of information, including the medicines that you should avoid before surgery such as Aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and NSAIDs. At this stage, inform the doctor about any existing health conditions, particularly concerning your skin. For best results, remember to avoid heavy makeup and jewelry. The procedure yields the best results in healthy, fresh skin.

These are the main concerns addressed by fat transfers to the face and hands:

  • Soft tissue damage
  • Lips lacking youthful fullness
  • Loose skin in the hands
  • The chin

It pays to understand the capabilities of a fat transfer and have realistic expectations. We endeavor to give you a natural, defined look with a youthful appearance, not just mere enhancement.

What the Procedure Entails

There are three main stages of a fat transfer procedure:

The first stage involves the administration of local anesthesia in the areas under treatment. Numbing the region keeps you comfortable during the procedure. The doctor then makes minuscule incisions on the skin in carefully marked areas. These tiny incisions more or less disappear after recovery, with no visible scarring in most cases. A micro-cannula accesses the fatty tissue under the skin and dislodges the cells, and collects it through suctioning. This process involves the harvesting of tissue from multiple locations as recommended by the doctor.

In earlier procedures, there were limited levels of success in the process due to the death of transferred cells, with at most half of them remaining alive past the six-month mark. Evolution of the procedure involved cleaning and treating of harvested cells for a better lifespan. Treatment of collected material consists of the removal of excess fluids as well as abnormal or dead cells. This innovative adjustment improves the lifespan of transferred cells, with around 80 percent remaining alive past the half-year mark. This change means that results of the enhancement procedure stay evident for longer.

After processing, the doctor injects the final sample into the lips, chin, or other parts of the face under treatment. For the hands, these injections go into carefully marked regions for a fuller, youthful look. Our experienced physicians have over the years perfected the art and went the extra mile to give you the desired results. This injection of healthy cells from your own body alleviates the risk of complications due to rejection and other unforeseen issues down the line.

Recovery

Recovery is an essential phase of the procedure. At the first consultation with the doctor, you get crucial information regarding how you can get the most out of the fat transfer procedure. On completion of the surgery, the doctor dresses the treated region. This protective cover should remain on for the recommended period during recovery, and should only come off on instruction from your physician.

Avoid heavy activity during the first couple of days after your surgery. If necessary, have someone around to help you with a few tasks around the house at this time. A smart move is to prepare beforehand and have all rest areas such as your bed set with comfortable covers and pillows for proper relaxation. Maintain the level of activity recommended by your physician as well, and avoid over-exerting yourself early in the recovery process.

Regular activity may resume after two weeks, or as directed by the doctor. People heal at different rates, and it pays to stick to the set directives regarding your case. Maintain a healthy diet and take enough fluids, this gives your body the nutrients and minerals it needs for a quick recovery.

Book Your Appointment Now

We are one of the leading clinics in Chicago. Our vastly experienced doctors pay keen attention to your needs and endeavor to put our expertise to work to help you realize that desired look. We give straightforward price quotes without hidden charges or ‘fine print.’ We believe in transparency and work to meet and exceed your expectations in a private, warm, and friendly setup.

Call us today and book your free appointment with the Chicago Liposuction and Specialty Clinic.