Fat Transfer
Conveniently located to serve San Jose, San Francisco, and the Bay Area
At our boutique practice in San Jose, fat transfer has become a very popular procedure for our patients. Restoring your face’s youthful appearance involves more than smoothing out wrinkles and tightening saggy skin. An aging face loses fat in areas such as the cheeks and under the eyes, often leading to a gaunt appearance. In many cases, a fat transfer procedure can help San Francisco Bay Area men and women who want to restore volume to hollowed or flattened areas.
If you live in the Bay Area and fat transfer can help rejuvenate your face, please request a consultation with Dr. Chase Lay, or call his office at (408) 728-8887 to schedule an appointment.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Fat Transfer?
Fat transfer helps women and men whose faces appear deflated due to fat loss or fat displacement. Dr. Lay augments soft tissue in targeted areas with autologous fat grafting (using your own fat). It is considered an ideal filler for a number of reasons, including that it’s versatile, readily obtainable, and won’t compromise your immune system. Dr. Lay specializes in fat grafting and takes the time and care needed to layer the fat deposits in the appropriate areas of your face.
What Is the Fat Grafting Procedure Like?
Facial fat grafting is a three-step process. In the first step, stubborn fat is harvested from troubled areas like the thighs, back, or abdomen. This process involves gentle liposuction, where medical suction is used to remove the fatty tissue through a tube called a cannula.
In the second step, the fat is purified. All unnecessary materials and fluids are filtered out, leaving only the healthiest fat cells for grafting.
In the third and final step, the purified fat is carefully injected into the targeted areas of the face evenly. This process is performed with precision and care since this is required to ensure long-lasting results. When transferred fat connects to the blood supply in the area, it can survive for years to come.
Due to the fact that almost 30% of the fat cells that are transplanted don’t survive, it’s common to transplant more fat than what is actually required.
What Should I Expect from Fat Transfer?
Fat grafting is a minimally invasive procedure performed at Dr. Lay’s office. Still, it’s important to remember that your recovery time depends on the number of areas treated and the amount of fat used.
Both the donor area and the treated area may experience temporary swelling, bruising, and tenderness. Swelling in the treated area is particularly noticeable if the lips are treated.
To minimize swelling, using a compress and a cold pack (water and ice cubes in a freezer bag) is recommended within a few hours. Even after using a compress and a cold pack, the swelling may not be reduced completely. In some cases, the swelling may increase for 2 to 3 days after the treatment.
Expect to take a few days to a little more than a week to recover before attending social or professional events. Some bruises may still be visible at this point, but they can be hidden quite well with makeup.
Patients must schedule a follow-up appointment with Dr. Lay. A second appointment around 3 weeks after the treatment is recommended, and a third appointment after 3 months must be scheduled as well for Dr. Lay to assess the final results.
The Adivive™ Fat Transfer System
Autologous fat grafting – using your own fat tissue on another part of your body – enables repair and augmentation of soft tissues and is increasingly used in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Although fat transfer has a number of benefits, plastic surgeons have been frustrated because the rate of absorption – how much of the fat will be absorbed by the body and not useful as a filler – has been unpredictable. Dr. Lay uses the Adivive™ Fat Transfer System to enhance the survival rate of fat cells, while mixing platelet-rich plasma (PRP) with the extracted fat before grafting also helps improve its health and survival; it also improves skin tone. Dr. Lay incorporates PRP into every fat transfer he performs.
There are numerous advantages of using your own fat for tissue augmentation because it is:
- Biocompatible (won’t cause allergic reaction or infection)
- Versatile and natural
- Affordable and readily available
PRP injections can be effective in delicate areas such as the tear trough beneath the eye, adding plumpness and improving skin texture. They can also be used to treat crow’s feet. Platelet-rich plasma is also contained in filler products used to treat deep or fine lines and wrinkles in the perioral area — the area around the mouth.
How Much Does Fat Transfer Cost in San Jose & The Bay Area?
The cost of fat transfer in San Jose & the Bay Area is best discussed in person during your consultation. The cost can vary on a number of factors, and during your appointment, Dr. Lay will be able to explain the surgical technique and go over the costs with you in detail.
Schedule Your Consultation
To learn more about fat transfer in San Jose and the results it can achieve, contact the office of Dr. Chase Lay and schedule your consultation. Dr. Lay will be happy to answer your questions and help you achieve effective facial rejuvenation.