Introduction
Autologous fat filling of the whole face is a popular cosmetic procedure that involves harvesting healthy fat cells from one area of the body and re - injecting them into the facial tissues to restore lost volume, smooth lines, and enhance facial features. In New York City, there are several well - reputed hospitals and clinics that offer this procedure. This article will introduce you to the top 5 such facilities.
1. Dr. Darrick Antell's Practice
Surgeon Profile
Dr. Darrick Antell is one of the world’s most respected and sought - after plastic surgeons. He was trained at Stanford and Cornell University and has been named a “top plastic surgeon” by Harper’s Bazaar, Town and Country, Vogue, and New York Magazine. Many new patients come to him through referrals, indicating high patient satisfaction.
Procedure Details
Facial fat transfer, also known as fat grafting, is the core service here. The procedure involves harvesting fat cells from an appropriate area of the body, such as the buttocks or thighs, using specialized, gentle techniques to ensure cell viability. Once extracted, the fat is purified and prepared for injection into specific areas of the face, like sunken cheeks, under - eye hollows, smile or frown lines, nasolabial folds, and chin wrinkles.
Advantages
- Natural results: Dr. Antell's goal is to achieve subtle, beautiful results that naturally enhance facial features, following the principle that “plastic surgery should whisper, not scream.”
- Long - lasting effects: Compared to dermal fillers, facial fat transfer may have a longer - lasting effect as the cells become viable and establish a blood supply in the new location.
- Low rejection risk: Since no synthetic material is involved, the body recognizes its own cells, meaning there is no risk of rejection.
Facility and Anesthesia
Most patients prefer to have the procedure in his discreet, private operating room located just across the street from world - renowned Lenox Hill Hospital. The state - of - the - art outpatient surgery facility is fully accredited, designed for patient comfort, and equipped with the latest technology. A facial fat transfer procedure is typically performed with local anesthesia and intravenous sedation, or with another form of “twilight” sedation, and a board - certified anesthesiologist will monitor the patient during the surgery to ensure safety.
Recovery
After the surgery, patients recover in the state - of - the - art recovery suite while being monitored by a nurse until they are well enough to be discharged. It is an outpatient procedure, and patients can return home the same day. There may be some swelling and bruising, most of which will subside within the first two weeks. Applying ice to the area can be useful in reducing swelling. Many patients experience minimal downtime and 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.
2. Dr. Adam Kolker's Practice
Surgeon Profile
Dr. Adam Kolker maintains a comprehensive gallery of before and after photographs to protect patient confidentiality. He has received positive patient testimonials, with patients praising his precision, gentleness, and ability to achieve natural results.
Procedure Details
During the initial consultation, Dr. Kolker thoroughly discusses the patient's desires and expectations. He conducts a detailed examination of the skin and soft tissue relationships, paying attention to skin tone, texture, elasticity, depth of folds, wrinkles, or depressions, and the underlying bone or cartilage support. Fat cells are gently removed from the abdomen, thighs, or buttocks, prepared as fat grafts, and transferred to problem areas of the face or elsewhere. Facial fat transfer can be used to rejuvenate the face by filling folds and wrinkles, restoring volume to the lips, highlighting cheek areas, and filling areas in need virtually anywhere on the body.
Advantages
- Customized approach: Dr. Kolker carefully helps patients plan the autologous fat graft or fat transfer techniques, as well as the combination of cosmetic surgery and fat graft techniques, to achieve the most natural and desired result.
- Multiple applications: Fat grafts can be used not only on the face but also to refresh tired, aged hands, and to replenish or add volume to arms, buttocks, and elsewhere.
- Long - lasting: Although some resorption is possible, fat grafts last considerably longer than most fillers and are ultimately incorporated as soft, natural tissue.
Facility and Anesthesia
The fat grafting procedure is performed in his office - based surgical suite, accredited by the American Association for the Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF). When performed as an isolated procedure, fat grafts can be performed under local anesthesia. More often, the facial fat transfer or autologous fat graft process is combined with another cosmetic surgery procedure and is performed under light sedation or general anesthesia when indicated.
Recovery
Following the facial fat transfer, patients go home on the same day with a friend or family member. If the fat grafts are performed as an isolated procedure under local anesthesia, Dr. Kolker suggests taking two or three days before returning to work, but many are able to return the following day. When combined with other procedures, the return to work may range from seven to fourteen days. Swelling is common and often resolves after two weeks, but it may take up to 12 weeks for the final results to be evident. Light aerobic activity may be resumed as early as four to five days following fat grafts, and more strenuous activity is begun at two to three weeks.
3. Albert Plastic Surgery
Surgeon Profile
Dr. Mark G. Albert is a top - rated, board - certified plastic surgeon who is adept at performing facial fat transfer in NYC. The practice specializes in facial fat grafting for New York City area clients as well as those traveling from out of state.
Procedure Details
Facial fat transfer, also known as facial fat grafting, autologous fat transfer, etc., involves harvesting fatty tissue via liposuction, purifying it, and injecting it into areas of the face that lack volume or need enhancement. It can help with issues such as hollowing around the eyes, loss of cheek volume, sunken - in temples, and an overall aged, tired appearance.
Advantages
- Long - lasting and cost - effective: It is the longest - lasting treatment and the most cost - effective option for the restoration of volume loss, rejuvenation, and enhancement.
- Minimally invasive: The procedure is minimally invasive, with patients experiencing minimal discomfort and a very short recovery period.
- No synthetic material: No synthetic material is used, reducing the risk of rejection.
Facility and Anesthesia
Conveniently located in Manhattan, the practice is well - equipped. Unless the patient is undergoing another procedure under general anesthesia, the facial fat transfer procedure can be performed using local anesthesia alone. Patients can opt for general anesthesia, but being awake during the procedure allows for active participation. A thin cannula is used to liposuction fat from the donor sites, and after the procedure, patients can drive home on their own as local anesthetic avoids post - op symptoms associated with general anesthesia.
Recovery
The recovery takes a few days, with some swelling and bruising. There may be soreness at the donor site. The final results become visible about three months after the procedure, and there is also the added benefit of skin and scar rejuvenation due to the positive effects of the stem cells present in the fat.
4. Greenberg Cosmetic Surgery
Surgeon Profile
Dr. Stephen T. Greenberg can design a treatment plan tailored to the patient's goals and natural facial features at his multiple offices in Manhattan, New York City, and other locations.
Procedure Details
The first step of the fat grafting treatment is liposuction, where fat cells are typically harvested from the hips, abdomen, buttocks, or thighs. The fat is then purified in a special centrifuge. Using a syringe, Dr. Greenberg layers fat cells at decreasing depths until volume and shape are restored to the desired areas of the face, such as the lips, cheeks, jaw, eyebrows, and under - eye area. The technique helps to increase the survival of the cells in the graft, and at least two access points are used for each area to ensure a uniform and smooth transfer.
Advantages
- Natural and long - lasting: Using the patient's own fat, the results are natural and long - lasting, with a lower risk of allergic reactions or complications compared to dermal fillers.
- Versatile: It can restore a more youthful look to many areas of the face, including eliminating forehead lines, addressing hollowed under - eyes, adding fullness to thinning lips, smoothing scars, contouring facial depressions, minimizing tear troughs, and reducing downward lines and deep folds around the nose and mouth.
Facility and Anesthesia
The surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure. The choice of anesthesia depends on the extent of the procedure, and appropriate anesthesia is used to ensure patient comfort.
Recovery
After surgery, patients may experience soreness, swelling, bruising, and numbness. To reduce swelling and avoid complications, they should keep their head elevated and refrain from strenuous activity for the first week. Most swelling, tenderness, and bruising will disappear within a month, and patients can expect to return to work within two weeks. In the following weeks to months, numbness and itching around the incisions will gradually subside, and patients need to follow certain protection measures regarding heat, sun, and scars.
5. Dr. Neal Goldberg's Practice
Surgeon Profile
Dr. Neal Goldberg is an extensively trained plastic surgeon who performs autologous fat injections to help patients achieve their cosmetic goals. He has in - depth knowledge and experience in facial fat transfer.
Procedure Details
During the initial consultation, Dr. Goldberg listens to the patient's cosmetic goals and examines the areas of concern. He then determines if fat injections alone or in combination with other procedures can optimize the outcome. Fat is harvested via liposuction from the flanks and abdomen (the most common regions), and either local or general anesthetic is provided depending on the extent of the procedure. He uses a micro - droplet technique to administer small quantities of fat underneath the skin to create a natural - looking infusion of volume.
Advantages
- Customized treatment: Every treatment plan is customized according to the patient's needs and goals.
- Natural - looking results: With his artistic eye and professional experience, Dr. Goldberg can achieve an aesthetically appealing, natural, and feminine (as appropriate) look that flatters the whole face.
- Long - term benefits: Fat transfer is designed to provide long - lasting benefits and is generally considered a permanent technique, although some volume loss may occur during the settling period.
Facility and Anesthesia
The appropriate anesthesia is selected based on the patient's condition and the extent of the procedure to ensure safety and comfort during the operation.
Recovery
Patients may feel swollen and tender, especially in the areas from which the fatty tissue was derived. There may also be some bruising for approximately one to two weeks. Inflammation can continue for up to and beyond six months, after which the final outcome can be seen. The recovery time also depends on the amount of tissue taken and the harvesting manner, and patients may need to take time off work for recovery.
Comparison of the Five Practices
| Practice | Surgeon Reputation | Procedure Uniqueness | Recovery Time | Facility Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Darrick Antell's Practice | World - renowned, named by top magazines | Emphasis on subtle, natural results | Minimal downtime, final result in up to a month | Private operating room near Lenox Hill Hospital, fully accredited |
| Dr. Adam Kolker's Practice | Positive patient testimonials | Customized planning, multiple applications of fat grafts | Varies depending on procedure combination, up to 12 weeks for final result | Office - based surgical suite, AAAASF accredited |
| Albert Plastic Surgery | Top - rated, board - certified | Long - lasting and cost - effective, minimally invasive | A few days, final result in three months | Conveniently located in Manhattan |
| Greenberg Cosmetic Surgery | Tailored treatment plans | Versatile in restoring facial youthfulness | Most swelling gone in a month, return to work within two weeks | Multiple office locations |
| Dr. Neal Goldberg's Practice | Extensively trained | Customized micro - droplet technique | One to two weeks of obvious side effects, up to six months of inflammation | Appropriate anesthesia based on procedure |
Conclusion
In conclusion, these top 5 well - reputed hospitals and practices in New York City for autologous fat filling of the whole face offer high - quality services with experienced surgeons, unique procedures, and various advantages. Whether you are looking for natural - looking results, long - lasting effects, or minimal downtime, there is likely a suitable option for you. Each practice has its own strengths in terms of surgeon reputation, procedure details, recovery times, and facility features.
If you are considering autologous fat filling of the whole face, we encourage you to reach out to these practices for consultations. Take the time to discuss your goals, concerns, and expectations with the surgeons. Compare the options based on the information provided in this article and make an informed decision. Remember, your appearance and well - being are important, and choosing the right place for your procedure can lead to the best results. Share this article with others who may be interested in this cosmetic procedure and keep exploring related topics to stay informed.
