Fat Transfer to Face in Toronto

Facial Fat Grafting (Face Fat Transfer) in Toronto

We understand that facing aging signs or undesirable facial features can deeply impact how you feel. If you struggle with volume loss, wrinkles, or asymmetry concerns, addressing them could be key to regaining your confidence.

If you’re looking for a natural solution to rejuvenate your appearance in Toronto, Dr. Thomas Bell is renowned for his mastery in Facial Fat Transfer. This procedure uses your fat cells to effectively target volume loss, wrinkles, and uneven contours. Dr. Bell has an expert understanding of facial anatomy and uses refined techniques to craft personalized treatments that enhance your natural beauty. His dedication to excellence and patient care has made him a preferred choice for those looking to revitalize their look.

What is a Facial Fat Grafting?

Facial Fat Grafting, or micro fat transplantation, is a cosmetic procedure designed to rejuvenate and sculpt the face by transferring purified fat cells from the body’s excess fat areas to the face. This process involves centrifuging the harvested fat to isolate and purify fat and stem cells, eliminating undesired elements before injection. This method not only restores lost volume but also enhances facial contours and smooths out wrinkles and skin indentations. It is particularly effective for augmenting areas like the cheeks and lips and filling in the hollows around the eyes and temples, alongside defining the jawline.

When fat is transferred under the eyes, it can significantly reduce the appearance of hollows and dark circles that contribute to a tired look, providing a more rested and youthful appearance. For the cheeks, fat grafting can create fuller, more defined cheekbones, contributing to a healthier and more vibrant facial aesthetic. This targeted application of fat grafting allows for subtle yet impactful enhancements that can dramatically improve facial harmony and youthfulness.

Who Is The Best Candidate for Facial Fat Transfer?

Determining if you’re a suitable candidate for a facial fat transfer is a critical step toward achieving your desired aesthetic goals. This procedure is particularly beneficial for individuals seeking natural, long-lasting facial volume and contour improvements. To see if this procedure aligns with your needs, consider the following questions:

• Do you want to enhance facial volume? Ideal candidates are those looking to add fullness to areas that appear sunken or hollow due to aging or other factors.
• Do you have excess fat in other body areas? The procedure requires a source of fat that can be harvested and transferred; having available fat in areas like the abdomen, thighs, or hips is ideal.
• Are you bothered by skin indentations, deep wrinkles, or folds? A facial fat transfer is effective in addressing these concerns, offering a rejuvenated appearance.
• Do you have areas of soft tissue depression? This procedure can fill in these areas, providing a more even, smooth facial contour.
  Are you considering enhancements to your lips? Beyond volume restoration, a facial fat transfer can also be utilized to naturally enhance the size and shape of the lips.

If you answered “yes” to these questions, you might be a candidate for a facial fat transfer at our Toronto clinic.

Your Facial Fat Transfer Consultation With Dr. Bell

This consultation with Dr. Bell and the Toronto Plastic Surgeons team is your first step towards achieving a refreshed and youthful facial appearance through the natural and effective facial fat transfer procedure. This meeting is intended to ensure your goals are clearly understood and achievable with this treatment. Here’s what to expect during your consultation:

• Discussion of Concerns: The consultation starts with a conversation about the areas of your face that need enhancement. This is your opportunity to express your aesthetic goals and concerns.
• Facial Examination: Dr. Bell will thoroughly examine your face to assess the areas that could benefit from fat grafting. This assessment helps identify the optimal sites for fat transfer to achieve a balanced and natural-looking outcome.
• Fat Source Identification: An essential part of the consultation involves determining suitable areas where fat can be harvested. Dr. Thomas Bell will recommend potential donor sites on your body with sufficient fat reserves for the procedure.
• Procedure Walkthrough: The surgeon will explain the Facial Fat Transfer process, from the extraction of fat from the donor site to its purification and injection into the facial areas requiring enhancement.
• Post-Op Care Guidance: Dr. Bell will outline what to expect during the healing period, including care instructions, potential side effects, and the timeline for seeing the full results of the procedure.
• Personalized Treatment Plan: Dr. Bell will create a customized treatment plan based on your aesthetic goals and the assessment of your facial structure.
• Questions and Concerns: The consultation is an open forum for you to ask questions and express any concerns. Dr. Bell encourages an open dialogue to ensure you feel informed and comfortable with the proposed treatment plan.

What is The Cost of a Facial Fat Transfer?

A facial fat grafting procedure performed by The Toronto Plastic Surgeons starts at $9,999. The procedure can be more costly depending on the number of areas being treated. The cost will be determined during the consultation with Dr. Bell.

How To Prepare For a Facial Fat Transfer

Preparing for your Facial Fat Transfer procedure is an important step to ensure the best possible outcomes and a smooth recovery. Dr. Bell recommends the following personalized steps to get you ready for your transformation:

Before Surgery

• Refrain from sunbathing or exposing the targeted areas to direct sunlight for at least 2 weeks before your surgery to prevent any preoperative skin damage.
• Stop all nicotine use, including cigarettes, patches, or any nicotine-containing products, at least 4 weeks before the surgery. Nicotine can significantly impair and delay the healing process.
• Stop taking aspirin-containing products, blood thinners, vitamin E, and herbal supplements 2 weeks before the procedure to reduce the risk of bleeding. Ask Dr. Bell for a list of medications to abstain from if you are not sure.
• If you develop a cold, infection, or any illness in the week leading up to your surgery, you must inform The Toronto Plastic Surgeons team,
• Plan to take 1-2 weeks off from work, extending to two weeks if your job is physically demanding as you may experience prolonged bruising and swelling.
• Ensure a responsible adult drives you to and from the surgery. We also suggest you arrange for someone to stay with you for the first 24 hours post-surgery for support and assistance.

The Day of Fat Transfer Surgery

• You may shower and shampoo your hair the night before or the morning of your surgery to ensure cleanliness.
• Brush and rinse your teeth 2 hours before the surgery, and use mouthwash just before you arrive at the clinic.
• Follow the guidelines given by the Toronto Plastic Surgeon team. This can vary depending on the type of anesthesia.
• Do not apply moisturizers, body lotions, or makeup on the areas where fat will be injected.
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that is easy to put on and remove to avoid disturbing the treatment areas.

How is Facial Fat Grafting Performed?

A small needle is used to harvest fat graft material. Once the harvest is completed, the fat grafts are then prepared. The preparation process includes centrifugation and separation of the fat cells and the stem cells (also found in the fat tissue) from unwanted elements, such as blood serum and local anesthesia.

Once the local anesthetic is administered, the fat grafts are expertly placed using a multiple-level, blunt microcannula technique performed by Dr. Bell. The typical survival of fat grafting volume is 50-70% of the fat grafts injected.

How Long Does a Facial Fat Grafting Procedure Take?

Facial fat grafting takes approximately 1.5 hours.

Facial Fat Transfer Recovery: What To Expect After Treatment

Recovering from a facial fat transfer procedure with Dr. Bell involves a series of checkpoints to ensure a smooth healing process and optimal outcomes. Here’s a consolidated guide on what to expect post-treatment and the assurance of Dr. Bell’s continued support through follow-up appointments.

• Day 1: Upon returning home, keeping any surgical dressing intact is crucial to protect the fat injection areas. Ice or cold compresses can be applied to alleviate bruising or swelling as recommended by Dr. Bell.
• Day 2-3: During these days, you might experience mild discomfort, which is normal. This period will likely mark the peak of any bruising and swelling. Dr. Bell advises maintaining a gentle care regimen and limited physical activity to facilitate healing.
• Day 4: At this point, you can remove any remaining dressings. Dr. Bell recommends showering and cleaning the treated areas with hydrogen peroxide, followed by an antibiotic ointment. This routine should be repeated 2 to 3 times daily to prevent infection and support the healing of the injection sites.
• Day 21: You will have a follow-up appointment with Dr. Bell at the Toronto Plastic Surgeons clinic. This visit allows Dr. Bell to monitor your recovery progress, address concerns, and ensure the healing is on track.
• 6 Months: The final facial volume and contours are achieved by this time. It’s important to note that as you age, both non-grafted and grafted facial fat will naturally diminish over time. Dr. Bell may recommend repeat procedures every 3-5 years to maintain the desired volume and youthful appearance.

How Long Does it Take to Recover From a Facial Fat Grafting?

The facial fat grafting recovery procedure can take between 10-21 days.

4 Facial Fat Grafting Benefits

Shape and contour lost facial volume

Restoring volume in your cheeks and filling hollow areas under your eyes is attainable with facial fat grafting procedure. Not only can it reshape areas such as your chin, but it will also leave you with a youthful and incredibly natural look.

Reduce wrinkles and dullness in the skin

As we age, collagen and elastin begin to break down, creating fine lines and deep wrinkles and laxity in the face. With facial fat grafting, you can revitalize the youthful plumpness without the need for invasive surgery!

Enlarge and enhance lips

Fat grafting is an excellent, long-lasting alternative to dermal fillers. Roughly 50% of the fat injected into your lips will survive, creating permanent, beautiful lips that will age naturally.

Reduce fat in other areas

When harvesting the fat, the Toronto Plastic Surgeons utilize liposuction techniques in areas with troublesome fat pockets such as the lower abdomen.

Risks and Complications of Fat Transfer to Face

As with any procedure, facial fat grafting has risks, although very rare. The best thing to do is to select a trusted, experienced surgeon to minimize the likelihood of complications. The team at the Toronto Plastic Surgeons has years of experience performing Facial fat grafting. Significant complications are uncommon and, in the rare event they occur, are expertly managed.

• Bleeding or bruising at the injection site: In rare cases, the procedure may result in bruising that can last several days. Any discomfort can be significantly diminished using prescribed medication.
• Irregularities in the surface, contours, or firmness of the skin: In cases where patients do not obtain the results they were looking for, a follow-up procedure can be scheduled to ensure adequate facial contour.
• Damage to blood vessels (infrequent): The best way to avoid or minimize complications is to choose a face grafting surgeon with years of experience performing facial fat grafting.
• Less survival than hoped for: Toronto Plastic Surgeons have a high degree of success in facial fat grafting. In most areas of the face, between 30% and 60% of the facial fat grafts will survive.

Facial fat grafting generally is not performed on those patients with medical illnesses, suppressed immune systems or who frequently take blood-thinners. Speak with Dr. Bell, or members of their team, for additional information on whether Facial fat grafting would be right for you.

Facial Fat Grafting Alternatives

The best non-invasive alternative to facial fat grafting is facial shaping using “off-the-shape” sugar gel, HA gel, Juvederm, Revanesse, Restylane or Teosyal. The advantage of using these Dermal Soft tissue fillers is that there is no donor site, less facial swelling and bruising and the effects are immediate. The disadvantage of gel dermal fillers for facial shaping is they last about 9-14 months, whereas, facial fat grafting, if the fat cells “take” and survive, can last for years.

Fat Grafting for Men in Toronto

The results of a fat grafting procedure are consistent across genders, but the source of the donor fat may vary. For women, fat is often taken from areas like the hips, outer thighs, or abdomen, which can also create a more contoured silhouette. In contrast, men’s fat is typically harvested from areas such as the love handles or spare tire, aligning with their body’s natural fat distribution. Furthermore, the objectives of the procedure can differ: women might seek to enhance feminine features, whereas men often aim to accentuate a masculine physique.

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Why The Toronto Plastic Surgeons?

The Toronto Plastic Surgeons state-of-the-art facility is home to Dr, Bell, one of the best facial cosmetic plastic surgery experts in the world, who ensure all facial fat grafting procedures have the best results. From pre-consultation to post-op care, our team will ensure all steps of the process are seamless, customizing the results to reflect your unique aesthetic.

Facial Fat Grafting FAQ

Is Getting a Facial Fat Grafting Painful?

The injection of fat is not painful at all, and you’ll need minimal local anesthesia or simple analgesia afterward. Harvesting the fat, customarily from the stomach or thighs, will require local anesthesia. If you are worried about the pain, you can always have sedation or a general anesthetic.

How Long Will The Results Last?

During facial fat grafting, extra fat will be injected to counterbalance cells that will not survive the transfer and will be reabsorbed by the body. After about six months, the fat that remains should be permanent, providing you with long-lasting youthful plumpness.

Should I get a Facelift, Implants or Facial Fat Grafting?

There are different candidacy requirements for each procedure to restore facial volume, which will be assessed during your consultation. Facial fat transfer patients must have adequate fat to harvest and should be at a stable weight before undergoing treatment. Fillers are very low risk, and the candidacy requirements for these treatments are not very demanding. The advantages of a facelift are invisible scars and a beautiful, natural restoration of an oval appearance to the midface and cheek.

Facial Fat Grafting Testimonials

“Testimonial 1: Exceptionally skilled surgeon with a compassionate and honest demeanour. Since meeting Dr. Bell in 2008 I have undergone, over the course of 14 years, a rhinoplasty, labiaplasty, liposuction, fat graft to tear troughs, mid face lift and breast augmentation. Certain procedures he made me hold off on for several years as he said I did not need to perform it yet (i.e., mid face lift and liposuction). I respect his honesty and integrity, but also his amazing talents in producing natural beautiful results and improving client confidence and rejeuvanation. He has a lovely bedside manner and is a genuinely kind human being. He was the director of the U of T plastic surgery residence program for years which initially drew me to him. His expertise and skill set was selected to lead and train future plastic surgery graduates in how to perform cosmetic surgery because he is truly the best! Thank you Dr. Bell for helping me feel and look the best I ever have in my life.” – Natalie 777 (RealSelf).