Whether in young or elderly individuals, the face may in various cases show either signs of volume loss related to aging, or phenomena of atrophy or asymmetry.
Known filling products such as hyaluronic acid, hydroxyapatite (Radiesse©), polylactic acid (New-Fill©, Sculptra©) can provide solutions to these functional or aesthetic problems.
Alongside these techniques exists a procedure that uses the patient’s own fat. Harvested via cannula liposuction, the fat must be processed before being reinjected where volume loss is noted. This solution is reversible since the reinjected fat will gradually be reabsorbed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does lipofilling (also called lipostructure) involve?
Lipofilling or lipostructure involves using the patient’s own fat as a corrective implant. The fat is aspirated using a syringe and reinjected after processing into the targeted areas. Harvesting is preferably done from the knees, inner thighs, hips or saddlebags. For the abdomen, note that fat cells are sensitive to weight fluctuations and are therefore less suitable for this procedure? The harvested fatty tissue is rinsed then carefully centrifuged to keep the fat cells intact and viable while removing the non-cellular supernatant. These cells can then be reinjected into the desired area. Some of the injected fat cells will be reabsorbed during the first week; which is why slight “overcorrection” is necessary.
Where does the reinjected fat come from?
From the knees, inner thighs, hips or saddlebags.
Which areas can be treated?
For the face, lipofilling fills hollow areas but can also be used for lip augmentation. For the body, the fat can help fill volume loss from trauma (falls, hematomas), procedures, or even increase breast volume.
What processing does the fat undergo?
Rinsing with saline solution and centrifugation to separate cells from fat.
Is the treatment quick?
It takes about 2 hours.
Are results long-lasting?
More durable than synthetic fillers, but not permanent. Indeed, this involves actual transplantation of living cells that will, for some of them, retain the ability to survive and multiply (see stem cells present in adipose tissue).
What are the side effects?
Redness, swelling and bruising in the injected areas. For the donor sites, the postoperative period corresponds to that of localized liposuction.
When can one return to work?
This varies depending on the treated areas.
Are there contraindications?
Pregnancy, infections, and taking anticoagulants are of course the main contraindications. In any case, the medical history (medical and surgical background) and clinical examination determine the final decision.
When to perform this treatment?
Age is not the only deciding factor, it all depends on the location and desired goal.
PHOTOS
While treatment result photos can be found on many websites, their display is now prohibited by the Belgian Medical Association and law. This is why we don’t show them here. However, it’s reasonable for you to receive personalized information about your specific concerns. During your consultation, many photos will be shown so you can properly evaluate and appreciate the results.
Would you like explanations and details about your personal situation? Come meet us for a consultation.
