Fat injections
Fat injections are useful for
- smoothing facial wrinkles
- enhancing lips
Fat injections have the advantages of
- avoiding allergic reactions
- produce long-lasting results
Fat injections have the disadvantages of
- partial resorption of the fat
- risk of infection
Procedure
The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia and requires about 45 minutes. Fat is removed from a donor site, usually the abdomen. It is processed and cleaned. The fat is then put in a syringe and injected into the recipient site. Usually more fat is injected in the recipient site than is needed, because as much as 50% of the fat is absorbed within a few weeks.
Recovery
- Expect some bruising and redness for a few days.
- Avoid sun exposure. Use a sunscreen.
- Return to normal activities immediately.
Risks
- infection
- lumpiness
- too much or too little fat remaining after partial absorption