Changing Faces

By: James Murphy
Created on 05th March 2012

We have come a long way since the 'wind tunnel effect' facelift and neck lift ops of the Eighties, and these days there is more than one way to lift a face. Leading plastic surgeon Mr James Murphy explains the benefits of fat transfer in facial rejuvenation

The range and sophistication of cosmetic procedures has advanced considerably in recent years - to the point where the traditional 'facelift' that tightened and re-draped the skin is now only rarely performed.

We now know more about the changes in soft tissues and muscles of the face, and this has inspired new procedures that are tailored to individual needs. Facelifts using shorter scars, different planes of dissection and more individually tailored lifting techniques have allowed us to produce ever-more natural and balanced results.

And, more recently, replacing lost volume has taken results to a new level. Structural Fat Grafting (also called  'lipostructure') has transformed the way we look at correcting facial ageing and allows us, precisely and permanently, to reverse some of these changes.

We can harvest the patient's own fat using gentle liposuction and transfer living fat cells to the areas in the face where it has been lost, with reliable and
natural results.

The skin of an ageing face is less elastic than in younger people, which leads to jowls and folds in the neck. Often there is also a loss of soft tissue volume,
particularly in the cheek area due to drooping of the cheek fat.

Where a youthful face is usually plump and firm, an older one can start to look gaunt with a sunken appearance in the region of the cheekbones and mid-face.

Lipostructure takes fat from one part of the body (e.g. the abdomen or buttocks) and transfers it to the face to try to reverse some of these changes.
It can also be useful in correcting the facial contour abnormalities seen following traumatic scars, and to cosmetically enhance the lips.

The operation can be performed under local or general anaesthetic as needed; it takes about an hour to perform and usually requires one night in hospital.

During the procedure, the donor area for harvesting fat is prepared in a similar fashion to performing liposuction. The fat is harvested using a special suction
cannula so it is not damaged. It is then centrifuged to allow the separation of healthy fat cells from damaged ones. The live fat cells are then injected in the
treatment areas using a very fine cannula (needle) to place tiny amounts of fat in tunnels which are carefully built up to form layers which restore volume and shape.

Between 50 and 60 per cent of the transferred fat survives. This means a certain amount of over correction is required which also contributes to some
of the swelling following surgery. However, this eases with time,
leaving a rounded, balanced and natural-looking result.