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Unwanted fat can be removed from the abdominal, thigh or hip areas. After cleaning and purifying the fat cells they can be grafted into facial areas deficient in volume. When artistically sculpted throughout the face, fat transfer creates a fuller, healthier, more youthful look. Because this fat is harvested from your own body, it is naturally incorporated into the face producing long-lasting results.

Dr. Kolstad’s analytic approach distinguishes him from his colleagues. He believes in a customized approach that is specific to your facial features and your goals. Dr. Kolstad understands that there is as much artistry as science in facial rejuvenation. He has spent years dedicating his career to rejuvenation of the face and neck. Rather than performing facial, breast and body procedures, Dr. Kolstad’s practice is fully dedicated to facial plastic surgery.

Dr. Kolstad learned his technique from one of the best Facial Plastic Surgeons in the world. He spent an entire year in New York working exclusively with one of the world’s premier Facial Plastic Surgeons.

Dr Kolstad has extensive experience in a variety of techniques and will tailor your surgery to meet your specific goals. You will have the final say in determining if this is the right procedure for you.

NonSurgical Fat Transfer

Nonsurgical fat transfer can safely be performed in the office under local anesthesia. A small amount (10-15 mLs) of adipose tissue is liposuctioned from the outer or inner thigh or abdomen. The fat cells are then centrifuged and purified in preparation for grafting.

Dr. Kolstad will mark on the face where he believes the lipografts will best achieve the desired result. Using a mirror you can confirm the markings are where you would like the volume restored. It will take about 60 to 90 minutes for Dr. Kolstad to artistically distribute the fat grafts. Throughout the grafting process Dr. Kolstad will take several pauses allowing you to view the results in the mirror. Your input will help guide Dr. Kolstad to the appropriate stopping point. By allowing patients to view the real-time results and contribute feedback Dr. Kolstad achieves a high rate of satisfaction and minimizes the risk of adding too much volume.

Fat transfer is most commonly used to add volume throughout the cheeks, nasolabial folds, marionette lines and temples.

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*Individual Results May Vary.

WHAT AREAS ARE COMMONLY TREATED WITH FAT TRANSFER?

1) Cheek Augmentation

*Individual Results May Vary.

The youthful cheek is shaped like a heart, projecting furthest at the cheekbone and tapering as it descends towards the lips. As we age we lose fat in our cheeks and throughout the face.  This leads to a deflated appearance, most evident in the midface.  The cheek contour begins to resemble a “double bubble” with a projecting cheek bone transitioning into a depression and then another projection lower in the face.

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*Individual Results May Vary.

 

2) Lower Eyelid & Tear Trough Correction

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*Individual Results May Vary.

 

3) Jawline and Prejowl Depressions

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*Individual Results May Vary.

What is the Difference Between Fat Transfer and Radiesse, Restylane, Juvederm & Perlane?

1) Injectable fillers can be placed directly into the skin without causing unevenness or lumps. Fillers are better for very superficial smile lines, shallow acne scars, and early volume loss.

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A: Very superficial smile lines are highlighted in yellow.
B: After treatment with Juvederm.

*Individual Results May Vary.

Lipografts cannot be placed directly into the skin without causing some degree of unevenness. Fat transfer is used to soften deep shadows and folds.

2) The most important difference between injectable fillers and nonsurgical fat transfer is the longevity of the results. Depending on the location, dermal fillers can last anywhere from 6 to 14 months. After your body resorbs the filler you will need a trip back to the doctor to repeat the process.

In contrast, lipotransfer is considered a natural volumizer. The same fat cells that seem to never go away from your waistline, hips and thighs can be artistically placed throughout your face. Once incorporated into the tissues beneath the skin the transferred adipocytes do not resorb over time and do not need to be replaced.

3) Another difference between lipotransfer and injectable fillers is downtime. Abdominal fat transfer is a procedure. There will be swelling, bruising, and a bit of time for the results to mature. If you need a quick fix and get back to work the same day, injectable fillers would be the better option. If you are looking for a long lasting way of softening folds and lines and are willing to take a small bit of downtime, fat transfer might be a better way to go.

What is the Difference Between Fat Transfer and Sculptra?

Sculptra is a unique type of filler that is used to restore volume throughout the entire face. Rather then treating specific folds, Sculptra is placed throughout the cheeks, jawline, and temples. Sculptra is a long-lasting volumizer lasting up to 3 years. Many people will require 4-9 vials of Sculptra to achieve the desired results waiting 4 to 6 weeks between treatments.

Fat transfer can also restore volume throughout the entire face. Facial fat transfer is used throughout the cheeks, jawline, and temples. Lipotransfer is considered a natural volumizer and the results can be achieved over a single session.

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*Individual Results May Vary.

San Diego Fat Transfer Frequently Asked Questions

Small volume fat transfer is safe to perform in the office using local anesthesia and light sedation. When large volumes are grafted it is advantageous to perform in a surgical setting.

Most people take about 3 days off of work to recover. By the third day the majority of the swelling has resolved and any residual bruising can be camouflaged with make-up

Many of our patients do not complain of significant discomfort, with the majority using only Tylenol as needed. Prescription pain medicine is made available to you and we recommend that you have it available in case it is needed.

A frequent concern of our patients is looking plastic after surgery. There are limitless examples of unnatural, operated results. It is very important to choose a plastic surgeon in San Diego that specializes in operating on the face and is comfortable with the challenging anatomy and procedures.

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Additional La Jolla Facial Fat Transfer Information

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To schedule an appointment call us at (858) 859-2563 or get in touch with the form below.