Blame
it on your 5 A.M. spin class or missing your morning coffee because of the long
line, but the exhaustion written on our faces isn’t pretty. When concealer
isn’t enough, you may wonder what cosmetic procedure would help restore that
youthful glow to your eyes.
New Jersey Eye Plastic Surgeon James Chelnis, M.D.
at The Eye Care & Surgery Center in Westfield shares information on fat
transferring as a technique for facial rejuvenation.
“You
might be surprised that fat transfer is still a popular technique with fillers
being so popular today. Modern fillers are definite upgrades from the previous
generation technology. Fat transfer is a time-tested technology that uses your
fat and puts it where you wish it would be! Since it comes from your body,
there is no chance that you would be reactive or allergic to it. If you travel
a lot and have a want to be free of repeat appointments for facial fillers, fat
transfer could be an excellent option. The procedure usually uses fat from your
abdomen but there are other good sources too, such as from certain parts of
your thighs or flanks. This is determined prior to the procedure with your
physician. During the same visit, the fat can be added to the targeted area to
complete the treatment. Fat harvesting is typically done through a tiny site a
few millimeters wide and heals very quickly as a result. Technical elements to
the procedure include how to prepare the harvested fat for injection. There are
many options for harvesting including choosing a donor site, selecting the
proper instrumentation for harvesting and injection, and fitting the procedure
into the patient’s larger aesthetic goals. One of the most common and effective
places to use fat transfer is in the area around the eyes, particularly when
hollowing and shadowing under the eyes. There isn’t much in the way of
preparing for fat transfers outside of normal steps before any procedure. This
includes pausing blood-thinning medications and supplements before the
procedure and keeping away from strenuous activity for a short time after the
procedure. Typically, fat transfers can last much longer than fillers,
sometimes for many years, and as a result, in the long term can be much less
expensive than fillers. This is great for patients that want something
resembling a “one and done” approach to aesthetics. Since it is a medical
procedure, there is a recovery period, but not as would be seen from a more
invasive surgical option. Patients should expect short term soreness or
bruising from the donor site and some short term swelling in the recipient
site.”
