Can Your Own Fat Add Volume to Your Face?
By Marc Feldman | Published on February 9, 2011 | 0 Comments
For the past few years, many people have taken an active approach to eliminating the deep creases and lines that have formed on their faces. And while a vast majority have chosen synthetic fillers that are injected underneath the skin for instant results, some facilities have promoted the idea of using your own fat to add volume to your face. But is this method, which includes extracting your own fat from other areas of your body, really worth it? Marc Feldman MD, who has years of experience treating Atlantic City, New Jersey residents with dermal fillers, isn’t so sure.
Not very many patients choose to use their own fat as a filler because of the expense and the variability of the results. As it turns out, Dr. Feldman says, when you factor in the cost as well as the extent of the procedure, it may not really seem worth it anymore. Years ago, when collagen treatments only added volume to the face for a few months at a time, using your own fat was more appealing, he explains. Now, however, fillers such as Radiesse can last for as long as a year.
If you do choose to harvest your own fat, Dr. Feldman says that it could be done during a liposuction or a face lift procedure. However, he does not see the point in paying the additional costs for the removal and harvesting of fat if there are few proven advantages. While some facilities may try to promote the idea that your own fat creates longer lasting results, there is not a high percentage of people who have tried this method and seen lasting effects, he adds.
Instead, Dr. Feldman encourages patients to meet with him to discuss the lines on their faces that bother them and create treatment plans using fillers. At his office, Feldman Plastic Surgery patients are treated with four different types of fillers, each of which has its own advantages. For instance, he says, Juvederm is great medium-term filler that is thin enough to be used around the lips. And for people who are apprehensive about using a filler for the first time, Juvederm can be removed if you do not like it—though Dr. Feldman has never had a patient ask for it to be removed.
Another popular filler, Restylane, is a bit thicker than Juvederm and is optimal for use in deeper lines that extend from the nose and around the mouth. Lately, Dr. Feldman has been using Radiesse frequently with patients because the filler is not only thick enough to fill deep lines, but the vial is twice as big as others, giving patients even more for their money. Radiesse is also best for patients who are over the age of 50, he explains, because it adds volume to the areas of the face that tend to droop from age, such as the cheeks. Lastly, says Dr. Feldman, for patients whose faces are very thin, Sculptra can be used. This is reserved for patients who need a lot of volume restoration to create a more youthful appearance.
With so many options available for refreshing your appearance, it is always in your best interest to meet with your trusted surgeon to discuss your options and reach a decision with which you are ultimately satisfied.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.