Lipomodeling
The reinjection of autologous fat (lipofilling or lipostructure) consists in creating volumes with some fat collected on the patient during a liposuction.
Indications for the face area are the same as that for hyaluronic acid injections, but the result will be permanent without the need for additional injections. It is also a well known fact that fat injections improve the quality of the skin.
Lipofilling can be used to fill and to blur some lines (nasolabial folds), to reconstruct the volumes and the shapes of the face (contour of the face oval, hollow under-eye, cheekbones, lips).
Lipomodeling can be carried out :
- Independently to reshape the face
- Or combined with a lift to enhance the harmony of the face by treating the melting of fat tissues and the skeletonisation due to age.
Before the procedure
The areas where fat can be suctioned out are identified and additional liposuction may be considered.
The procedure
Depending on the case, the procedure can be performed under local or general anesthesia and lasts from 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Liposuction and injection are made through very thin cannulas which do not leave any scars.
The surgery is done in the day care department. This allows the patient to leave the hospital the same day of the surgery.
After the procedure
There is no suture. The care is simple. Showering and shampooing are allowed on the day after the treatment. Edema appears in most cases and the definitive result will be complete about 3 months after the surgery.
The injected fat will react to weight fluctuations. In case of loss or gain of weight, the treated areas will lose or gain volume like the rest of the body.
This surgical technique aimed at reshaping the volumes of the face on a long-term basis can be combined with a treatment of wrinkles with botulinum toxin and a resurfacing treatment of the skin with a peel or laser.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the differences between facial lipofilling and a hyaluronic acid injection?
Lipofilling is a procedure performed in the operating room under local or general anesthesia. The bruising and swelling that generally occurs after a lipofilling can make going out in public difficult for about one week. However, the result achieved after six months is final.
Hyaluronic acid injections take place in-office, without anesthesia. Patients can resume their work and usual day-to-day activities immediately. However, injections are needed once a year on average to maintain the result achieved.
Lipofilling is particularly advantageous when it involves removing a large volume and adding a large amount of fat.
From what areas can fat be removed?
Any area with permanent excess fat. For the face, the best area for removing fat is generally the knees as this fat is extremely stable over time.
Is a facial lipofilling stable over time?
Yes, but the face will continue to thin out and lose volume over time. Lipofilling can be used to restore initial face shape as well as possible and therefore delay the signs of aging. Several recent studies have shown improvement in the skin and reduction in the signs of aging in patients who have had facial lipofilling.
What are the potential risks and complications?
The most common risks with facial lipofilling are asymmetry, hypocorrection (under-correction) and, rarely, granulomas (improper healing of the injected fat). Hypercorrection is very rare. Infection occurs in exceptional cases.
What happens after a facial lipofilling?
Recovery after lipofilling may involve facial edema (swelling) and potentially ecchymosis (bruising). That is why you should plan to avoid going out in public for 8 to 10 days following facial lipofilling.
Are certain lipofilling procedures covered by national health insurance?
For breast deformities or breast reconstruction after cancer, lipofilling is partly covered by French national health insurance. In other cases, it’s a purely cosmetic procedure.
