Before and After Eyelid Surgery Fat Transfer

What is a fat transfer?

A fat transfer is also referred to as fat grafting, lipo-filling, and fat injection. It is a procedure that uses the patient’s own fat from another portion of their body to fill in facial depressions, wrinkles, and other irregularities. These wrinkles/depressions are common signs of volume and muscle mass loss associated with aging. Natural fat transferred from other locations in your own body can restore a youthful appearance to the face. Patients often try fillers first and then ask for a more permanent and/or natural solution. If you like your appearance after being injected with synthetic fillers, you may be a great candidate for fat transfer, as it is a longer lasting and top solution to aging. A healthy lifestyle and a good skincare regimen will ensure that the results of the procedure last as long as possible. Our office recommends and sells the regimens offered by the brands Epionce and Obagi Medical.

What is a fat transfer used to treat?

There are many fat transfer applications. It is often used to fill in hollow sunken cheeks and temples, deep grooves that run from the corners of the nose to the corners of the mouth (nasolabial folds), wrinkles that come down from the sides of the mouth (marionette lines), hollows under eyes, and sagging jawlines.

Does insurance cover the cost?

Fat transfer is typically considered cosmetic and is not usually covered by insurance; however, there may be exceptions related to medically necessary reconstructive procedures.

Payment?

The price of a fat transfer is dependent on the details of each procedure. Cost is based on factors such as total procedure time, techniques, and anesthesia. A 20% non-refundable deposit is due when the surgery is scheduled. The remaining balance is due two weeks prior to surgery. We accept cash, check, Visa, MasterCard,
Discover, and Care Credit.

How do I prepare?

Stop Aspirin, Motrin, Ibuprofen, Aleve, Advil, fish oil, Vitamin E, Coumadin (Warfarin), and any other blood thinner for two weeks prior to surgery. You may choose to purchase Arnica Montana, an herb which reduces bruising, and use as instructed. This can be purchased from our office, please ask for details.

What kind of anesthesia is used?

Patients will require local anesthesia with IV sedation. Conscious sedation, or twilight anesthesia, is used which allows you to breathe naturally and sleep comfortably throughout the procedure. Anesthesia cost is dependent on the duration of the surgery and a quote will be given to you before you schedule your procedure. Anesthesia fees are likely to increase if you opt to combine surgeries.

Is a fat transfer painful?

No discomfort is experienced during the actual procedure given anesthesia.

How long will it take?

Fat transfers take approximately one hour to perform. After our surgeon extracts the fat, our technician spins and purifies the fat before it is transferred to the secondary location.

Are there stitches?

Stitches will not be used on either the fat removal or transfer location.

What will my recovery be like?

Generally, you may return to work after 3-5 days after surgery and use make-up/skincare products after your 1-week post-op appointment. This timeline can vary depending on your body’s healing and recovery rate.

What are the risks?

Infection is possible but rare. Bruising often occurs and lasts 1-2 weeks. You may notice puncture points where needles extract/inject, but those will disappear in a short amount of time.

Where is the procedure performed?

The fat transfer treatments are performed at Idaho Eyelid & Facial Plastic Surgery, 111 West Main Street, Suite 200 in Boise, Idaho.