An Overview of the Fat Transfer Procedure
To prepare for your fat transfer, Bellevue plastic surgeon, Dr. Ridgway will first administer local anesthesia to ensure your comfort and safety. If you are feeling apprehensive about the procedure, he may also offer a mild sedative, though this is not usually necessary. From there, the entire process will take around 90 minutes and is comprised of the following three steps:
Step One: Remove fat from a donor site
The first step of your procedure involves removing fat from another area of the body with excess volume, such as the abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs or jowls. During this step, Dr. Ridgway will use low-suction liposuction to preserve the quality of the fat cells while he extracts them.
Step Two: Filter the fat cells
Once Dr. Ridgway has collected the appropriate amount of fat cells, he will carefully separate them from the liquid that is also collected during liposuction. He will then remove the damaged fat cells and retain the whole and cleansed ones for the transfer.
Step Three: Re-inject the fat into your face
The final step of the fat transfer involves re-injecting the isolated fat cells back into your face, restoring lost volume, correcting imperfections and establishing a more youthful and defined contour.