Lipotransfer is a cosmetic procedure that uses the body’s own fat as a filler. Fat is soft, pliable and natural, which makes it a good option to use for cosmetic purposes. Surgeons are able to easily manipulate the fat in order to get the look they want. The Lipotransfer procedure is used to add volume to areas of the face, for instance, the cheeks, temples, and under the eyes. Another area of the face where Lipotransfer can be used is the chin.
Men or women who want a more pronounced or muted chin may opt for this procedure. Because the filler is human fat, the results are more natural looking and there are typically less side effects. In addition to the face, Lipotransfer is also effective for adding volume to other parts of the body, including the buttocks and breasts.
Lipotransfer is used as an alternative to artificial fillers and implants. For many years, if a person wanted to improve volume on any part of their body, they would either have to use an implant or have a lift performed. While these are oftentimes effective in adding volume, they aren’t always natural looking. This is especially true if the procedures are not done properly. An implant or lift can easily look severe and unnatural.
Lipostransfer makes use of fat from one part of the body and injects it into another. For example, the surgeon performing the procedure will take or harvest fat from the thighs, buttocks (if a Brazilian Butt Lift is not being performed) or stomach and use it to fill out hollowness in the face or to create a stronger or more muted looking chin. When a person desires a stronger chin, the primary alternative to a Lipotransfer procedure would be an implant. While some people are fine with this, others will not. Now they have a choice.
Fat grafting, which is very similar to what Lipotransfer is, has been around for some time. However, using human fat as a filler for cosmetic purposes is fairly new. As medicine in general begins to look for natural remedies, for instance PRP, the cosmetic industry is looking to do the same.Natural approaches tend to have fewer negative side effects, are safer, and provide a more realistic-looking result when used for cosmetic purposes. Lipostransfer has proven to provide all of the above.
Because this is a fairly new procedure, it is very important that a patient choose their doctor carefully. If a person were to choose a plastic surgeon with limited experience they may not get the results they desire. Because the face is such a visible part of the body and the success of a cosmetic procedure is largely dependent on the skill set of the surgeon, it is crucial that person choose one that is experienced, knowledgeable and who comes highly recommended.
Cost
The cost of a Lipotransfer procedure will vary. Many factors can affect pricing. In addition to the surgeon’s fees, the patient will have to pay for the anesthesiologist, the anesthesia, post-op medications and the operating facility. On average, the cost of Lipostransfer to enhance the facial area is about $3,000.
The area of the country where the surgeon is based will also have an effect on the price. A New York cosmetic surgeon is likely to cost more than one based in Iowa. A surgeon that has an exceptional reputation and/or who mostly services the wealthy and famous will have higher prices then one that treats middle income patients.
Procedure
Step 1: The patient will be given pain medication in either the form of a local anesthetic or light sedation.
Step 2: The surgeon will harvest the fat from the stomach, thighs or butts. These areas are chosen because they tend to have a lot of fat or at least enough for the procedure.
Step 3: After the surgeon has harvested the fat, he or she will place it in a centrifuge. This will used to separate the fat so that it is usable as a filler. It can not be used immediately after being harvested.
Step 4: After the fat has been harvested and gone through the centrifuge it is time to inject into the problem area, in this case, the chin. The result should be increased volume and a better looking chin.
The procedure is simple and straight forward. Not only does the patient get the benefit of using a natural substance, they also have fat taken from a place on their body which may not have needed it. When complete, the patient will have added volume to their face, while simultaneously slimming down another part of their body.
Recovery
The recovery process is fairly quick and not excessively painful. A person may experience some swelling, bruising and mild pain but they should feel better after about one week. However, it may take a few months before the face settles. The fat filler will re-absorb a bit but not significantly. If it does resorb, a secondary procedure may be needed.
Complications
Complications are rare but they do sometimes occur. A lack of asymmetry and a significant amount of reabsorbing may occur. In either case, more fat may need to be added to the previously treated area.
Questions to Ask
- Have you ever performed Lipotransfer for the chin?
- What kind of results can I expect?
- What happens if the fat becomes reabsorbed?
- What happens if I am not satisfied with the results?
- How much will the procedure cost?
- Does your office offer financing or accept payments in installments?
- What type of complications might occur?
- Are you a certified with the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
- How long have you been performing the Lipotransfer procedure?
- What will the recovery process look like?
PRP Treatment for Lipo-Transfer for Chin
PRP is a treatment that proving to be somewhat groundbreaking in many fields of medicine, including cosmetic surgery. Platelets which are separated during the PRP therapy process are injected into various parts of the body. When it is used to treat skin conditions such as wrinkles, loose, saggy skin, hollowed cheeks or a myriad of other cosmetic problems, it helps to regenerate these areas, giving them a fuller appearance and more natural glow.
PRP is a therapy that involves the use of a person’s own blood. A doctor will draw a small amount of blood from the patient. This blood is placed in a vial or tube and then into a centrifuge machine. The centrifuge machine will spin the blood until its components are separated from one another. Once they are, the doctor will extract the platelets and inject them into the part of the body receiving the treatment.
Platelets are central to this process because of the growth factors they contain. Growth factors are responsible for jumpstarting the wound healing process in the body as well as tissue and collagen regeneration. PRP is so effective because it places a concentrated amount of these platelets into whatever body part is being treated. When it is used to augment the chin, the platelets are injected into the skin. A gel or spray might also be applied. When a concentrated amount of platelets are utilized, the result is faster and more effective healing or regeneration.
When a person receives PRP treatment the administering time is short and the recovery time, though not equally so, very brief. A person might experience a small amount of inflammation, bruising and soreness for up to 24 hours. After about that much time, the pain will begin to subside. It may be necessary to take an over-the-counter pain reliever after the treatment but it may not. If a person begins to experience a lot of pain, they should call their doctor who may call in a mild, prescription pain medication.
Any bruising that may occur as a result of the treatment is likely to be minimal and may show up at the injection sites. Cold compresses can help reduce inflammation and help relieve pain if this turns out to be a problem.
The entire PPR treatment process takes about 20 to 30 minutes. When a doctor is ready to administer the therapy, they will clean the part of the body platelets will be injected at. He or she will either draw a small amount of blood before cleaning the patients face or afterwards. It will depend on the doctor and his or her protocol. After the blood has been drawn, separated and injected, the patient may receive a cold compress to place on his or her face and then will be sent home soon afterwards. During the procedure, the patient shouldn’t feel much pain or discomfort.
The recovery time of PPR treatment is minimal and a person shouldn’t feel much discomfort. Most individuals will begin noticing a change in their appearance after about 2 to 3 weeks. Their appearance will continue to improve over the next few months.
PRP therapy would likely be most effective as a chin augmentation tool if it were being used to counteract aging. As mentioned above, PRP therapy is an effective way to regenerate tissue and collagen. When both or either is regenerated, the tissues below the skin will begin to plump up and the skin atop of the tissues gets fuller and tighter. If this is the appearance a person is looking for than PRP therapy may be one way for them to achieve it.
On the other hand, if an individual is looking for a significant change in appearance or a drastic change in appearance, an implant or sculpting of the bone may be a better option and PRP therapy may of better use during the recovery process to help accelerate healing.
PRP is more of a regeneration tool than it is an augmentation one. It will help restore the way a person previously looked but won’t change the way a person looks, like surgery would. Individuals need to keep this in mind when they are considering which type of procedures to undergo.
Chin augmentation can be costly. Individual that undergo a surgical procedure to augment their chin can expect longer recovery times, more bleeding, bruising and increased risks. The outcome of the procedure will depend on the skill level and experience of the doctor. If he or she fails to do a good job, the outcome may be an unnatural and unattractive appearance.
PRP, conversely, is all natural and thus the results look as such. A person won’t look like they’ve had surgery. Instead, he or she will look years younger than their chronological age. The side effects are minimal as is the recovery time.
PRP therapy injections cost between $500 and $1500. PRP treatment for this condition and nothing else may cost around $1500. Results may last up to 12 months, sometimes up to 18.
Some people balk at the idea of paying $1500 for results that will only last up to a year. However, in order to determine whether or not its worth in, an individual will have to consider the procedure’s benefits.
PRP is all natural and it improves the look and feel of the skin without any type of surgical procedure. There are few side effects, no scarring and no complications. The final look is a natural one and not plastic like so many women who’ve had plastic surgery end up with. The final result is a dependent upon the body’s own processes and not the skill level of the doctor.
Not everyone is a good candidate for PRP treatment. Smokers, people who drink (alcohol) excessively or use drugs may not get very good results from the treatment.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
1. Do you think PRP therapy can effectively improve the appearance of my chin?
2. How long have you been administering PRP therapy?
3. Is PRP therapy safe? Why or Why Not?
4. What type of results should I experience?
5. What happens if I don’t receive the results I want?
6. How many injections will I need?
7. Is PRP therapy painful?
8. What can I expect after the procedure is completed?
9. Where will the treatment be administered?
10. Does your office offer financing?
