Introduction to Autologous Fat Full - Face Filling in New York City

Autologous fat full - face filling, also known as facial fat transfer or autologous fat grafting, is a popular cosmetic procedure in New York City. It involves using a patient's own fat cells to restore volume, smooth wrinkles, and enhance facial contours. This natural approach has gained significant popularity due to its long - lasting results and minimal risk of allergic reactions. In this article, we will explore some of the popular institutions in New York City that offer this procedure.

Understanding Autologous Fat Full - Face Filling

As we age, our face loses volume. The nasolabial folds, tear troughs, marionette lines become more prominent, and the cheeks lose their fullness. Autologous fat full - face filling addresses these issues by taking fat from one part of the patient's body, such as the abdomen, thighs, or buttocks, and injecting it into the areas of the face that need volume restoration.

The process has several advantages. First, since the fat is from the patient's own body, there is a low risk of rejection. Second, the results can be more natural - looking compared to synthetic fillers. Third, it can provide long - lasting results, with the fat integrating into the facial tissue and aging naturally with the patient.

Popular Institutions in New York City

Dr. Kolker's Practice

Dr. Adam Kolker offers facial fat transfer in New York City. During the initial consultation, he thoroughly discusses the patient's desires and expectations. He conducts a detailed examination of the skin and soft tissue relationships, paying attention to factors like skin tone, texture, elasticity, and the depth of folds and wrinkles.

Dr. Kolker carefully plans the autologous fat graft or fat transfer techniques. He may also suggest a combination of cosmetic surgery and fat graft techniques to achieve the most natural and desired result. He has a comprehensive gallery of before - and - after photographs, available for patients to view in the office, while maintaining patient confidentiality.

After the procedure, patients usually go home on the same day. If the fat grafts are performed as an isolated procedure under local anesthesia, Dr. Kolker suggests taking two or three days off before returning to work, though many patients can return the next day. Swelling is common and usually resolves after two weeks, but it may take up to 12 weeks for the final results to be evident. Light aerobic activity can be resumed as early as four to five days after the procedure, and more strenuous activity can start at two to three weeks.

Many patients have given positive testimonials about Dr. Kolker's work. One patient said, “My sole stipulation was that I look ‘natural’ and the fact that I had cosmetic surgery should not be obvious. Dr Kolker recommended fat transfer to give me a ‘softer’ and more natural appearance. Now not only do I receive many compliments on my appearance, I finally look the way I feel.”

Zuckerman Plastic Surgery

Located in the upper east side of New York City, Zuckerman Plastic Surgery, under the expertise of Dr. Joshua D. Zuckerman, offers expert facial fat grafting injections.

The benefits of facial fat grafting at this institution are numerous. The results are natural, as it uses the patient's own body fat, which blends seamlessly with the natural facial features. The transferred fat can also improve the skin's texture and tone due to the growth factors it contains. The results are long - lasting, unlike synthetic fillers, and it offers a dual benefit of reducing unwanted fat in donor areas while enhancing facial contours.

Ideal candidates for this procedure at Zuckerman Plastic Surgery are those who seek a natural method for facial enhancement without using synthetic materials, have areas of facial volume loss contributing to a tired or aged appearance, possess sufficient fat deposits for extraction, and are in good health with realistic expectations about the procedure's effectiveness and outcomes.

During the procedure, Dr. Zuckerman first conducts a thorough assessment of the facial structure, skin quality, and discusses the aesthetic goals with the patient. He also evaluates potential donor sites for fat extraction. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, often combined with sedation. Fat is harvested using a gentle liposuction technique, purified, and then meticulously injected into the target areas of the face. Recovery is relatively quick, with most patients experiencing mild swelling and bruising at both the donor and injection sites, which typically resolve within a week or two. Patients can usually return to normal activities shortly after the procedure, with some minor restrictions.

Dr. Leonard Grossman's Practice

Dr. Leonard Grossman, a distinguished plastic surgeon in New York with over 25 + years of experience, has completed over 12,000 successful fat grafting plastic surgery operations. He is known as the pioneer of ‘organic plastic surgery’ and offers fat grafting using autologous fat and fat - derived stem cells.

His fat grafting procedure in New York City can increase fullness and volume in various areas such as the breasts, buttocks, calves, face, cheeks, and neck. It can also correct defects caused by trauma, illness, or cancer with minimal to no scarring.

The fat grafting process at Dr. Grossman's practice begins with a pre - operative consultation. He evaluates the patient's overall health, discusses aesthetic goals, and determines the best fat extraction/harvest and grafting areas. On the day of the procedure, fat is marked on the face or body, extracted from donor sites using a small cannula, purified to remove impurities, and then injected into the target areas. The entire procedure typically takes 1 - 2 hours, depending on the areas being treated and the amount of fat being transferred.

One of the unique applications of his fat grafting is the correction of calf contours or deformities, including 'bowed legs'. After the procedure, he provides a comprehensive post - operative instruction package. Patients should avoid strenuous activities for 10 days and adhere to a healthy lifestyle. He also emphasizes that his techniques minimize post - operative discomfort and eliminate the need for compression garments.

Dr. Grossman's innovative techniques have resulted in nearly 100% survival of the grafted fat, which is exceptional compared to the normal loss of up to 80% of transferred fat over time.

Gotham Plastic Surgery

At Gotham Plastic Surgery, fat injection, also known as fat grafting or fat transplant, is offered as an alternative to artificial dermal filler materials. Candidates for this procedure are generally healthy, non - smokers, and have realistic expectations for improvement.

The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis at their JCAHO - accredited office - based surgery facility. Fat is first harvested from an area of excess on the body, such as the outside of the leg or the stomach, using a very small cannula and gentle liposuction techniques. The harvested fat is then prepared and re - injected into areas of the face.

There is minimal downtime or recovery associated with fat injection at Gotham Plastic Surgery. Some minor swelling or bruising may occur, which typically resolves within 48 hours. Most patients experience little discomfort and can resume work and other normal activities on the same or next day. However, there is some controversy regarding the duration of results, with some claiming the fat can remain for years while others say it only lasts for a few months.

Rothaus MD New York

Rothaus MD New York offers fat injections using nanofat and microfat. Microfat is the patient's own fat mechanically reduced to very small particles, better suited to pick up a new blood supply when injected into areas such as the face. Nanofat is produced when microfat is mechanically divided into even smaller pieces to isolate the stromal vascular fraction (SVF), which contains adipose - derived stem cells (ASCs).

Microfat is used for volume enhancement, often around the face to fill in unwanted lines or replace lost volume in the cheek, along the jaw and chin, or in the temporal region. It is also used in the breast to complement the results of implants after augmentation or reconstruction surgery. Nanofat, on the other hand, is used to enhance the quality of the skin by reducing wrinkles and rejuvenating the skin through improving texture and pigmentation.

The procedure for harvesting both microfat and nanofat is done under local anesthesia. The most commonly used donor sites are the abdomen, inner thighs, and love handles. The procedure can take between one to several hours, depending on the number of sites to be injected and the volume of fat to be processed. Since the procedure is performed under local anesthesia, there is almost no recovery, with minimal to no discomfort and bruising at the donor site. Depending on the volume injected, there may be some short - term swelling and bruising.

Dr. Mark H. Schwartz's Practice

Dr. Mark H. Schwartz, a board - certified plastic surgeon in New York City, performs fat grafting, also known as autologous fat transfer or liposculpture. This procedure is effective in treating sunken cheeks, facial lines, acne scars, and other areas of lost volume caused by aging, sun damage, and other conditions.

During the procedure, fat is taken from the donor area by inserting a small cannula and suctioning out the fat, similar to liposuction, under local anesthesia. The harvested fat is then purified, and only the fat cells are grafted. Once ready, the fat is injected into the targeted area through a small instrument until the desired appearance is achieved.

The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis in Dr. Schwartz's office. Patients may experience mild swelling and bruising after the fat grafting procedure, which can be minimized with oral pain medications. Fat grafts usually last longer than fillers and are considered safe for most patients since no foreign material is being injected into the body. However, there are several uncommon risks, such as infection, bleeding, and under or over - correction, which can be minimized by choosing an experienced doctor and following the post - operative instructions.

Dr. Cangello's Practice

Dr. David Cangello is a renowned expert in fat grafting to the face in New York City. He was mentored by and shared a practice with one of the pioneers of the fat grafting method, Dr. Sydney Coleman. After Dr. Coleman's retirement, Dr. Cangello continues to perform fat transfer using the technique described by Dr. Coleman.

Ideal candidates for a fat transfer to the face at Dr. Cangello's practice include men and women who have noticed a hollow or shallow appearance in 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 to be harvested for treatment. They should also have realistic expectations about the outcome and understand that the fat transfer to the face procedure may need to be repeated more than once to achieve ideal results.

The fat transfer to the face procedure generally has three steps: harvest, process, and transfer. First, the donor site is identified, an anesthetic is injected, and a small incision is made to harvest the fat. 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 from the fat transfer usually involves looking puffy and bruised for about one to two weeks. Mild discomfort may be experienced during the first week, but appropriate pain medication can be prescribed. 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, so it's common for the procedure to be repeated to achieve ideal volume.

Comparing the Institutions

Cost Considerations

The cost of autologous fat full - face filling in New York City can vary significantly among different institutions. Factors that influence the cost include the areas targeted, the amount of fat transferred, and the complexity of the procedure. For example, at Rothaus MD New York, each microfat and nanofat treatment is customized, and the usual cost starts in the $3500 to $7500 range. At Dr. Leonard Grossman's practice, the personalized approach contributes to the overall cost, and other factors such as the duration of the procedure and additional treatments also play a role. It is essential for patients to have a consultation with the respective institution to get a personalized quote.

Choosing the Right Institution

When choosing an institution for autologous fat full - face filling in New York City, patients should consider several factors. First, the experience and expertise of the surgeon are crucial. Surgeons like Dr. Kolker, Dr. Zuckerman, Dr. Grossman, and others have extensive experience and a proven track record of successful procedures. Second, the unique features and techniques offered by each institution can make a difference. For example, Dr. Grossman's use of stem cell integration and his unique calf - correction procedure may be appealing to some patients. Third, the recovery time and post - operative care should be taken into account. Institutions that offer a more comfortable and efficient recovery process may be more attractive to patients. Finally, the cost is also an important consideration, but patients should not compromise on quality for the sake of cost.

Conclusion

Autologous fat full - face filling is a popular and effective cosmetic procedure in New York City. There are several popular institutions that offer this service, each with its own unique features, techniques, and benefits. Whether it's Dr. Kolker's patient - centered approach, Dr. Zuckerman's natural - looking results, Dr. Grossman's innovative techniques, or the offerings of other institutions, patients have a wide range of options to choose from. However, it is essential for patients to do their research, have consultations with multiple institutions, and make an informed decision based on their specific needs, expectations, and budget.

If you are considering autologous fat full - face filling in New York City, we encourage you to explore the institutions mentioned in this article. Contact them for consultations to learn more about the procedure, the potential results, and the costs involved. Share this article with friends and family who may also be interested in this cosmetic option, and continue to research and explore related topics to make the best decision for your aesthetic goals.