Injectables

BEFORE & AFTER PHOTOS

*DISCLAIMER: This site contains graphic & surgical images that may be disturbing to some viewers.

This site is intended for individuals over the age of 18.

**Please note that none of the images posted throughout this site have been enhanced or photoshopped.

Permanent filler: FAT GRAFTING

What is fat grafting?

This surgical technique takes fat from one part of a patient’s body using a form of liposuction. This fat is then prepared and then injected into another part of the patient’s body that requires filling or correction of a contour abnormality or increased tissue volume. Only the patient’s own fat can be used (a friend or relative cannot donate some of their fat).

How is it done?

The procedure can be done under local anaesthesia (freezing) if the area of fat grating is small or under general anaesthesia if the area is too large to freeze properly.

• Fat is removed from an area in the body (tummy, thighs, hips or a heavy neck) using a liposuction technique.

• The fat is then prepared and then loaded into small syringes for injection into the desired area using a very small cannula (this is like a small injection needle with a blunt end)

• The desired amount of fat is then injected into the area to be treated.

• There are minimal if any sutures and virtually no scarring

• The patient is allowed to shower the following day and often can return to work the next day unless a large area of fat harvesting and grafting was done. A week off work would be advisable if there is significant bruising.

• Strenuous exercise should be avoided for 3 weeks

When is facial fat grafting done?

• This technique can be done as an isolated procedure to correct specific cosmetic concern in the face, or it can be done in combination with other facial surgery like a facelift or brow lift or eyelid surgery.

  *Please see FAQ Facelift & FAQ Browlift

• Common areas that are fat grafted in the facial area are:

  • the upper cheek bone area (Malar Projection)

  • the temple areas (these tend to hollow out as the face ages)

  • the lower cheek area which can hollow as the face ages

  • the nasolabial creases

  • the lips (upper and lower)

  • the chin and around the jowl area of the jaw line

RISKS:

What are the risks of Fat grafting to the face?

With any surgery there are surgical and anesthetic risks.

Aside from the rare risks of an anesthetic event, some of the general and specific surgical risks for this procedure would include:

• Infection

• Bruising

• Bleeding (hematoma)

• Swelling

• Sensation change 

• Discomfort

• Rejection:

  • When fat is removed as a fat graft, it no longer has a blood supply and is essentially dead. If it does not get a new blood supply, the fat cells will die and turn to oil. Your body will remove the oil as waste. When the fat graft is injected in to the recipient site (like a cheek), it must survive by being nourished by a new blood supply from the recipient site. A recipient site that is healthy and minimally scarred will grow blood vessels into the fat graft and keep the fat alive. Only the fat graft that has a blood supply will remain and provide the contour fill correction desired.

• Symmetry:

  • If more fat graft survives on one side of the face compared to the other side, then some degree of asymmetry may result.

The donor site, where the fat is taken from using a liposuction technique (*Please see FAQ Liposuction) will be reduced in size. If a large amount of fat is removed, some degree of skin looseness may result. This area may be bruised and swollen after surgery for a number of weeks

• Time off work and exercise

*This list is not complete.

During the consultation with the patient, Dr. Giuffre will outline and explain each of the risks in detail.

THE FOLLOWUP:

How often do I need to come back for a checkup after the surgery? 

Postoperative visits include:

• A 1 week post operative visit.

• A 6 week visit in the office to review the preoperative photograph and the surgical result.

  The patient is allowed to shower the following day.

  Aggressive sports activity should be avoided for 3-4 weeks.

 If there are any patient concerns, Dr. Giuffre provides his home phone number for patient's direct access.

After the 6 week visit, if there are any future requests for an appointment, they are made directly with Dr. Giuffre’s office and an expedited visit is arranged.

FINANCING:

Will AHS (Alberta Health Services) cover Fat Graft surgery?

Fat graft surgery for Facial cosmetics surgery is not covered by Alberta Health Services.

Can I finance the costs of the surgery? How do I do this?

Dr. Giuffre does not provide in house financing for cosmetic procedures. 

There are a number of companies across Canada that will finance cosmetic surgery, similar to car financing or mortgages.

Please refer to the links provided for this information. Dr. Giuffre has no financial or business relationship or affiliation with any of these companies..