PLASTIC SURGERY: FAT GRAFTING LECTURE

Dr. Lam grafting lectures to his facial plastic surgery colleagues about the aesthetic principles, technical aspects, and results with facial fat for facial rejuvenation in Hilton Head, SC.

As the face matures over the years, facial fat loss contributes to a hollow, sunken look that typifies the aged countenance. The analogy of the full grape that begins to transform into a shriveled raisin may be helpful in understanding the process of volume loss that affects the face. Transferring fat from your thighs or belly to the areas that have lost fat in the face, like the brow, lower eyelid, cheek, and jawline can restore the youthful vitality of your face. Removal of fat from the body does not constitute body contouring or "liposuction", as the technique that Dr. Lam uses to harvest the fat from the body is different from traditional liposuction. Care must be exercised to remove only the appropriate amount of fat from the body in a gentle manner, while ensuring that harvested fat cells remain undamaged.

Fat transfer may not be the solution for everyone. Traditional face and browlifting can be appropriate for many individuals seeking facial enhancement. However, facial fat transfer can also be effectively combined with facial lifting procedures to provide the optimal aesthetic result in the right candidate. Fat transfer to the lips, smile lines, and around the mouth is less than ideal due to the risks of eventual fat absorption as well as unnecessarily prolonged recovery. Dr. Lam tends to reserve the use of other fillers or skin therapies in this region when individuals desire enhancement around the mouth.