Introduction
Full - face fat filling has emerged as a popular cosmetic procedure in New York City, offering individuals a natural way to restore facial volume, reduce wrinkles, and enhance their overall appearance. When considering this procedure, one of the most crucial decisions is choosing the right hospital. A high - quality hospital with experienced surgeons, advanced facilities, and a good reputation can significantly increase the chances of a successful outcome and a positive patient experience. In this article, we will explore some of the top hospitals in New York City for full - face fat filling, taking into account various factors such as the expertise of the medical staff, patient reviews, and available technologies.
Understanding Full - Face Fat Filling
Full - face fat filling, also known as facial fat grafting or fat transfer to the face, is a cosmetic procedure that involves harvesting fat from one part of the patient's body, such as the abdomen, thighs, or buttocks, and then injecting it into different areas of the face. This procedure can help to address a variety of concerns, including:
- Restoring lost volume due to aging, weight loss, or other factors.
- Reducing the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and deep folds.
- Improving facial contours and symmetry.
- Enhancing the fullness of lips, cheeks, and under - eye areas.
The process typically consists of three main steps: harvesting, processing, and injecting the fat. First, the surgeon uses liposuction to remove excess fat from the donor site. Then, the harvested fat is purified and prepared for injection. Finally, the purified fat is carefully injected into the targeted facial areas using a fine needle or cannula.
Benefits of Full - Face Fat Filling
There are several advantages to choosing full - face fat filling over other cosmetic procedures:
- Natural Results: Since the procedure uses the patient's own fat, the results look and feel more natural compared to synthetic fillers. The fat integrates well with the surrounding tissues, creating a more harmonious and authentic appearance.
- Long - Lasting Effects: Once the transferred fat cells establish a blood supply and survive in the new location, the results can be long - lasting. Some of the transferred fat may be reabsorbed in the initial weeks after the procedure, but a significant portion can remain for years.
- Minimal Risk of Allergic Reactions: Using the patient's own fat eliminates the risk of allergic reactions or rejection that may occur with synthetic fillers or implants.
- Dual Benefit: In addition to enhancing the face, the procedure also allows for body contouring at the donor site. By removing excess fat from areas such as the abdomen or thighs, patients can achieve a slimmer and more toned appearance in those areas.
Top Hospitals for Full - Face Fat Filling in New York City
Gotham Plastic Surgery
Gotham Plastic Surgery is a well - known plastic surgery practice in New York City that offers a range of cosmetic procedures, including full - face fat filling. Their team of experienced surgeons, led by Dr. Miller, is skilled in performing fat injection procedures.
Procedure Details: The fat injection procedure at Gotham Plastic Surgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis at their JCAHO - accredited office - based surgery facility. The process usually takes under an hour and can be done with local anesthesia. First, the surgeon harvests fat from an area of excess on the body, such as the outside of the leg or the stomach, using a small cannula and gentle liposuction techniques. After the fat is prepared, it is re - injected into the desired areas of the face.
Recovery: There is minimal downtime associated with the procedure. Some minor swelling or bruising may occur, but it typically resolves within 48 hours. Most patients can resume work and normal activities on the same or next day.
Advantages: The use of the patient's own fat reduces the risk of rejection or allergic reaction. The surgeons at Gotham Plastic Surgery also take a comprehensive approach, often combining fat transfer with other minor surgical procedures to achieve the best results. They create custom treatment plans that address both restorative and transformative changes, using their unique Natra Face™ approach.
Manhattan Surgical Care
Dr. Basil Pakeman at Manhattan Surgical Care offers facial fat grafting as a way to restore the youthfulness of the face. The practice is conveniently located to serve New York City.
Procedure Details: Dr. Pakeman uses liposuction to carefully remove a small amount of fat from an area of excess, such as the thighs or abdomen. After purifying the fat, he injects it into the parts of the face where volume has decreased, such as around the eyes, in the cheeks, and near the jawline. The injections are virtually non - invasive, and no incisions are needed. Fat is administered in small, easily adjustable increments.
Patient Selection: Ideal candidates for facial fat grafting at Manhattan Surgical Care are those who desire an improvement in their facial contours without a highly invasive surgical procedure. People with sunken cheeks, facial wrinkles, dark circles under the eyes, or a sagging jawline are great candidates. Patients should have an adequate amount of excess fat for grafting, be in good physical health, and have realistic expectations.
Recovery and Results: The fat grafting procedure typically lasts between 1 - 3 hours, depending on the extent of treatment. The procedure causes minimal pain and discomfort, which can be managed with local anesthesia during the procedure and pain medication afterward. Initial results may be noticed shortly after the procedure, but the full outcome becomes more noticeable as the swelling subsides over a few weeks. The results can last between 9 months to 2 years, depending on lifestyle, aging, and overall health.
Steven Wallach MD, FACS
Dr. Steven Wallach offers facial fat injections as an excellent option for men to gain fullness and shape in their face. The procedure is non - allergenic as it uses the patient's own fat.
Preparation: Not much preparation is required for the facial fat injections. However, smokers should avoid smoking for a few weeks before and after the procedure, and patients should avoid blood thinners for 1 - 2 weeks prior to the procedure. Dr. Wallach will provide specific instructions to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the procedure.
Procedure Details: During the consultation, Dr. Wallach assesses the shape and contours of the face to determine which areas will benefit from increased volume. Common areas include the cheeks, lips, under - eyes, jawline, and chin. He then assesses the donor site, with the abdomen, thighs, and waist being the most common. After the procedure, there is some downtime for the donor site to heal, but the risks of complications are minimal.
Results: The results from the facial fat injections are visible immediately. However, the enhancement may appear greater right after the procedure, and it will settle as the body absorbs some fat cells. Future procedures may be necessary to add more volume as the patient ages.
Dr. Darrick Antell
Dr. Darrick Antell is a world - renowned plastic surgeon who offers facial fat transfer in New York City. He has been trained at Stanford and Cornell University and has been named a “top plastic surgeon” by various magazines.
Procedure Approach: Dr. Antell takes a natural and subtle approach to facial fat transfer, aiming to achieve results that enhance the patient's facial features without being overly obvious. His goal is for plastic surgery to “whisper, not scream.” He uses specialized, gentle techniques to harvest healthy fat cells from an appropriate area of the body, such as the buttocks or thighs, and then purifies and prepares the cells for injection.
Facility and Anesthesia: Most patients prefer to have the procedure done in his discreet, private operating room located across the street from Lenox Hill Hospital. The state - of - the - art outpatient surgery facility is fully accredited. A facial fat transfer procedure is typically performed with local anesthesia and intravenous sedation or “twilight” sedation, with a board - certified anesthesiologist monitoring the patient during the surgery.
Recovery: After the surgery, patients recover in Dr. Antell's state - of - the - art recovery suite. Facial fat transfer is an outpatient procedure, and patients can return home the same day. There will likely be some swelling and bruising, most of which will subside within the first two weeks. Many patients can return to their usual daily activities within a day, but the final result may not be visible for up to a month due to residual swelling.
William Samson, MD
Dr. William Samson offers facial fat grafting as a less invasive alternative to facelifts or other surgeries. His goal is to help patients combat the signs of aging and achieve a more youthful appearance.
Procedure Basics: In the facial fat grafting procedure, Dr. Samson collects living fat cells from areas of the body with plenty of fat, such as the abdominal region or the inner thigh, using a professional liposuction technique. After processing the fat, he strategically injects it into areas marked for facial fat transfer. The cells develop a new home in the target area, reconnecting to the blood supply and providing long - lasting results.
Benefits: Some of the benefits of Dr. Samson's facial fat grafting include natural - looking results, the ability to contour other parts of the body, minimal downtime (patients can return to their daily routine on the same day as the treatment), and long - lasting results (it takes about six months for the healthy fat cells to establish a blood supply and become permanent).
Patient Consultation: Dr. Samson provides a thorough consultation to determine if a patient is a good candidate for facial fat grafting. Ideal candidates are those who have a strong desire to rid signs of aging, have sufficient recovery time, are in good general health, and have realistic expectations. The consultation includes a discussion of the procedure, potential risks and benefits, and the patient's medical history.
Dr. David Cangello
Dr. David Cangello is an expert in fat grafting to the face techniques. He was mentored by one of the pioneers of the fat grafting method, Dr. Sydney Coleman, and has extensive experience in performing fat transfer procedures.
Ideal Candidates: Ideal candidates for fat transfer to the face in NYC with Dr. Cangello include men and women who have noticed a hollow or shallow appearance to individual or multiple areas of the face, or those who desire augmentation of features such as the lips, cheekbones, chin, or jaw. Candidates should be healthy and have enough fat on potential donor areas, like the hips, flanks, and thighs.
Procedure Steps: The fat transfer to the face procedure generally has three steps: harvest, process, and transfer. First, Dr. Cangello identifies the donor site, injects an anesthetic, and makes a small incision to harvest the fat using a specialized cannula. Then, the fat is processed using a centrifuge to separate it from fluids and oils. Finally, the purified fat is transferred to the recipient area through a tiny incision using a cannula.
Recovery and Results: Recovery from fat transfer usually involves looking puffy and a bit bruised for about one to two weeks. The majority of swelling should disappear within a month, and bruising will subside in about 10 - 14 days. Approximately 50 - 60 percent of transferred fat cells will survive after the procedure, and it's common for the procedure to be repeated to achieve ideal volume. The transferred fat cells that survive will generally stay in the treatment area indefinitely, and the results can last for many years, especially if the patient maintains a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle.
Dr. Neal Goldberg
Dr. Neal Goldberg performs autologous fat injections to help patients achieve their cosmetic goals, including restoring lost volume on the face and minimizing common signs of facial aging.
Procedure Customization: Customization is an essential element of Dr. Goldberg's treatment plans. He listens to the patient's cosmetic goals during the initial consultation, examines the areas of concern, and collaborates with the patient to determine if fat injections alone or in combination with other procedures can optimize the outcome. For example, if a patient has significant skin laxity, a facelift may be recommended in addition to fat injections.
Fat Harvesting and Injection: Dr. Goldberg uses liposuction to harvest the fatty tissue, with the flanks and abdomen being the most common donor sites. He then uses his micro - droplet technique to administer small quantities of fat underneath the skin to create a natural - looking infusion of volume. His focus is on achieving an aesthetically appealing, natural, and feminine (as appropriate) look that flatters the whole face.
Recovery and Long - Term Results: After the operation, patients may experience swelling, tenderness, and bruising for approximately one to two weeks. Fat transfer is designed to provide long - lasting benefits and is generally considered a permanent technique. However, there will be some degree of volume loss as the results settle, typically between 30 - 70 percent. In some cases, a touch - up procedure may be recommended.
Dr. Westreich at New Face NY
Dr. Westreich at New Face NY is recognized for using advanced techniques in facial fat transfer to increase the chances of the transferred fat cells surviving, leading to long - lasting results.
Procedure Process: The facial fat transfer process at New Face NY involves harvesting fat from an area with excess fat, such as the thighs, gluteal region, or abdomen, purifying the fat, and then strategically injecting it into specific areas of the face. Fat can be processed into different - sized pieces (regular, micro, and nano fat) for a tailored approach and a smoother result. The nano fat purification process also increases the stem cell component, which can lead to regenerative changes to the skin independent of volume.
Patient Suitability: Ideal candidates for facial fat transfer at New Face NY are in good overall health, non - smokers, have adequate excess fat for harvesting, are experiencing facial volume loss due to aging or weight loss, and have sufficient skin elasticity.
Recovery and Results Evolution: Recovery involves following post - procedure instructions, such as limitations on physical activities, taking prescribed pain relievers or antibiotics, and attending follow - up appointments. The results will evolve over several weeks as swelling decreases and the transferred fat settles. Immediately after the procedure, visible contour improvements in facial features can be expected, and the final results are typically apparent several months post - procedure.
Comparing the Hospitals
When comparing the different hospitals for full - face fat filling in New York City, several factors should be considered:
| Hospital | Surgeon Expertise | Procedure Techniques | Recovery Time | Results Longevity | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gotham Plastic Surgery | Experienced surgeons, combined approach with other procedures | Outpatient, local anesthesia, gentle liposuction for fat harvest | Minimal, usually resume activities same or next day | Variable, some controversy about long - term fat retention | Not specified, consult for details |
| Manhattan Surgical Care | Dr. Basil Pakeman, skilled in minimally invasive facial fat grafting | Liposuction for fat harvest, non - invasive injections | Swelling and bruising resolve in a few weeks, resume normal activities soon | 9 months to 2 years, depending on lifestyle | Depends on number of issues addressed and sessions needed |
| Steven Wallach MD, FACS | Dr. Steven Wallach, experienced in male facial fat injections | Assess face and donor site, some downtime for donor site | Visible results immediately, settle over time | Results may require future touch - ups as aging occurs | Not specified, consult for details |
| Dr. Darrick Antell | World - renowned plastic surgeon, natural and subtle approach | Specialized, gentle fat harvesting, “twilight” sedation | Swelling and bruising subside in 1 - 2 weeks, return to daily activities soon | Long - lasting if transferred fat cells survive | Not specified, consult for details |
