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Facial Plast Surg 2015; 31(01): 022-028
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1544249
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Fat Transfer Techniques: General Concepts

Edward D. Buckingham
1   Director, Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery, Austin, Texas
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Publication History

Publication Date:
12 March 2015 (online)

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Abstract

Facial volume loss has become widely accepted as one of the contributing factors in global facial aging. Some have even suggested that bony, muscular, fatty, and dermal/epidermal changes are more integral in the aging process than gravitational influence. Although detractors of autologous fat transfer persist, facial autologous fat transfer has become widely utilized as one option for volume restoration. Various techniques in harvesting, processing, and injecting autologous fat have been debated at length without clear guidelines emerging to maximize outcomes. This article aims to present one surgeon's experience in successful fat grafting philosophy and technique. Areas covered will include preparation, harvesting, processing, and injection techniques. The injection techniques are organized by facial region and into the general philosophy and thinking regarding the facial region as well as the specific technique that has been utilized over 7 years and hundreds of successful procedures.

Keywords

facial volume loss - facial aging - volume replacement - autologous fat transfer
 

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