About Pittsburgh Fat Grafting
At Dr James Fernau, Aesthetic Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa in Pittsburgh, PA, fat grafting – sometimes known as facial reshaping – is a surgical procedure in which fat cells are harvested from one area of the body (usually from the abdomen or thigh region) through a delicate liposuction procedure and then re-inserted into sunken or flat areas of the body or face to create an appearance of fullness.
Fat grafting can be used to rid the face of unwanted fine lines and wrinkles or even enhance features in the face, lips or other areas of the body. Oftentimes, fat grafting is used to bring a fullness or plumpness to the nasolabial folds (mouth to nose folds), under the eyes, in the cheeks, chin, and temples. Due to the nature of the fat grafting process, it is expected that some of the transplanted fat will be re-absorbed into the body, while an amount remains permanent.
Who May Benefit from Fat Grafting
Men and women in relatively good physical condition, who are unhappy with flat or sunken areas of the face or body, are excellent candidates for a fat grafting procedure.
Fat grafting procedures are often sought to address the following:
- A thin, gaunt or long face.
- A bottom-heavy, jowly or chubby face.
- An asymmetrical face.
Recovery Periods for Fat Grafting
Recovery times for fat grafting procedures vary from patient to patient. All patients receive pre-operative packets and post-operative care instructions for their surgical procedure. To improve your recovery period and minimize any post-operative complications, it is important to fully disclose your medical history with Dr. Fernau during your initial consultation. It is also important for you to discuss any use of medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, and recreational substances. Dr. Fernau may wish to also discuss your physical health and any personal expectations or concerns you may have prior to your procedure.
After a fat grafting procedure, patients can expect an initial post-surgical recovery period between 24 and 48 hours. You will also require a reduced-activity period of a few days. During recovery, you will likely experience mild bruising, soreness and some swelling. It is normal for these conditions to last for a week or more. By following Dr. Fernau’s post-operative care instructions, you can mitigate post-operative complications and speed up your healing process.
Note: As part of the recovery process, Dr. Fernau offers four weeks of complimentary post-operative laser treatments until the scars are invisible.
Special instructions related to your individual procedure, regarding rest, special garments, returning to your place of business (or normal daily activity), sports or other physical activities, and exposure to sunlight and outdoor elements will be provided to you by Dr. Fernau.
For your convenience, Dr. Fernau is available at any time and can even be reached after hours. Each patient is given his personal cell phone number for any questions.
Benefits and Additions
Many patients of Pittsburgh Plastic Surgery and Dr. James Fernau who have received a fat grafting procedure have also benefited from Liposuction and Breast Augmentation procedures. To learn more about these additional procedures, visit our Pittsburgh Plastic Surgery Liposuction and Breast Augmentation pages and see some of the amazing results achieved by Dr. Fernau’s patients.
When you consider cosmetic surgery in Pittsburgh, think of Dr. James Fernau and the Pittsburgh Aesthetic Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa.
Learn More About Fat Grafting
For more information about Fat Grafting and other cosmetic surgery procedures, we invite you to call us at (412) 446-0391 – Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm – to schedule an appointment. You may also use the Contact Form page to send us a message.
