Fat Grafting

Conveniently located to serve St. Louis, Missouri

fat grafting to faceAs we age, the fat in our face decreases and the cheeks deflate and droop, but fat grafting in St. Louis can counter the effects of aging. Gravity causes the lower eyelid to elongate, the nasolabial folds to deepen and jowls to form. This can leave you with a “deflated” appearance. Facial fat grafting at Cabbabe Plastic Surgery can help reverse this. Dr. Samer Cabbabe is regarded as one of the best plastic surgeons in St. Louis and the U.S.

What Is Fat Grafting?

Facial fat grafting addresses volume loss that has resulted in sagging skin and flattened areas in the facial region. As the cheek is augmented and filled, the nasolabial fold disappears, the jowls disappear and the lower eyelid shortens. This results in a restoration of anatomy and a more youthful, refreshed appearance.

Common areas for fat grafting include around the eyes in the upper and lower eyelids, the forehead, the eyebrow, the cheeks, nasolabial folds and lips. Occasionally, Dr. Cabbabe may recommend a trial with a temporary collagen filler to ensure that you are pleased with the appearance prior to proceeding with more permanent facial fat grafting.

This procedure entails liposuction, removing fat from an area of the body, commonly in the abdomen, hips or thighs. The fat is then processed and purified and injected into areas that are carefully marked prior to surgery. The operation can be done in the office under local anesthesia, local anesthesia with sedation or under general anesthesia depending on your desires and needs.

Dr. Cabbabe uses the latest equipment, the Coleman Fat Grafting system and Revolve Fat Grafting system, which help ensure that only the purest of fat is harvested and injected.

Ideal Candidates

If you want to add more volume to your cheeks or other hollowed-out areas of your face, you are a good candidate for fat grafting. Ideally, you must have enough fat to be transferred in order to achieve the results you want. You should also be in good overall health without circulation problems before you undergo this procedure.

If you smoke, you may not be recommended for fat grafting right away. You may have to stop smoking a few weeks before your procedure. During your consultation, if you are a smoker, Dr. Cabbabe will advise you about whether or not you are fit for fat grafting.

Your Fat Grafting Consultation

Expect a physical examination of your target and donor areas during your consultation at Cabbabe Plastic Surgery. You will be asked about your medical history to find out if there are any underlying conditions that could get in the way of a quick recovery.

Dr. Cabbabe incorporates his experience with reconstructive and cosmetic surgery of the face to give patients the best results possible to meet their desires. He is also an expert in minimally invasive cosmetic surgery of the face and has published on these topics. His patients have a natural, refreshed look after surgery. During your consultation, Dr. Cabbabe will carefully examine your entire face including the brow, upper and lower eyelids, face and neck. He will make recommendations in order to help you achieve your desired result while maintaining facial harmony.

Preparing for Surgery

Dr. Cabbabe will ask that you refrain from taking any aspirin, Plavix, Coumadin, ibuprofen or any other type of blood thinner. He will also ensure that your blood pressure has been properly controlled if you have high blood pressure. On the morning of surgery, Dr. Cabbabe will precisely mark the planned incision and injection lines.

fat grafting to cheek
facial fat grafting

Before & After Gallery

View before-and-after pictures of real patients of Cabbabe Plastic Surgery

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Surgery

The procedure(s) is approximately 1 hour in length. This procedure can be done under local anesthesia, local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia. No sutures are generally needed.




Your Fat Grafting will be performed in a hospital or surgery center in St. Louis, MO.

Recovery

Patients are able to go home after surgery. Pain medication will be prescribed as needed. Bruising and swelling will be present for 1-2 weeks. Dr. Cabbabe will ask that you keep ice on the area to decrease this. He will also ask you to keep your head elevated to decrease swelling and apply antibiotic ointment to the incision line. Patients are able to shower the next day after removing the bandage.

Complications

Possible complications include asymmetry of the cheeks, irregular contours, reabsorption of fat or fat embolism. These could potentially require additional surgery.

Cost of Fat Grafting

The cost of fat grafting varies from one patient to another depending on the extent of the work performed. The total price will include the anesthesia administered and other fees incurred.

Contact Us to Find Out More

Learn more about your options for achieving your cosmetic goals with fat grafting in St. Louis. Contact Cabbabe Plastic Surgery today to schedule your consultation.

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