Lipofilling or Facial Lipografting is the surgery responsible for returning fat to the emaciated and/or aged face.
It is indicated for patients who have a thinned face resulting from the natural aging process, accentuated weight loss, strenuous exercise or just have a thinned face due to genetic characteristics.
It is not a procedure indicated to treat sagging skin.
The surgery is performed by collecting fat from a body area with localized fat as in liposuction, but with thinner and more delicate cannulas. The collected fat is treated through the following steps according to the need and characteristics of the programmed fat grafting: washing, decanting, centrifugation and/or emulsification. Once ready, it will be meticulously applied to each facial region that needs treatment.
In the donor area (which will be liposuctioned), we make 1 or 2 5mm incisions. On the face, we only make small 2mm holes.
Stop smoking, properly hydrate the skin and suspend the necessary medications (according to medical advice as needed).
The surgery lasts 30-90min. Hospitalization lasts 6-8 hours.
Local anesthesia with sedation, or general anesthesia.
It’s not a surgery that usually hurts, what bothers the most is the swelling of the first few days. Ecchymoses or bruises (purple on the skin) may remain. At this stage it is very important to protect yourself from the sun and use sunscreen rigorously.
Avoiding very hot baths, making cold compresses and lying down only with the head elevated (usually with more than one pillow) are measures that help to reduce swelling more quickly.
Return to work and light physical activities (such as walking and low-intensity stationary cycling) are usually allowed after 5 days.
After 4-6 months of the surgery we will have the definitive result.
The fat assimilated by the body will no longer be eliminated. It will respond in the same way as natural fats, that is, if the patient loses weight, he will lose facial volume. Therefore, it is very important not to gain weight in the postoperative period so that the face does not have more volume than desired.
