One of the most interesting developments in plastic surgery in recent years is fat injections. Previously, fat injections were thought to be only for filling purposes. However, studies have revealed that adipose tissue is the richest source of adult-type stem cells in the body. These stem cells turn into the missing cell type where they are given and carry out repair activities. For example, when fat is given to the midface for filling purposes, stem cells undergo changes, synthesize collagen by turning into fibroblasts and provide rejuvenation of the skin.
The fat cells taken are purified through certain processes and stem cell rates are increased. Apart from the face, it is used in breasts, hip and leg aesthetics, and everywhere in the body where there is a lack of tissue. Fat injections give successful results not only in aesthetic surgery, but also in difficult areas such as non-healing wounds and skin undergoing radiotherapy. One of the important changes in the face as we age is soft tissue loss. This is especially evident around the eyes and in the middle face area. In addition, the subcutaneous tissue weakens and the skin becomes thinner. Tear grooves, nose-lip lines and Marionette lines deepen.
Fat injections can be given to any patient who is past middle age and has a general wear on the face. Apart from that, facial contours can be changed with fat injections in patients with a structurally flattened middle face, back of the jaw tip, and weak jaw line.
The most common places of fat injection on the face are temples, around the eyes, upper eyelids, under the eyes, mid-face area, tops of the cheekbones, tear grooves, nose-lip lines, Marionette lines, lips, chin tip, edges of the lower jawbone. Fat injection has two effects. The first is the filler effect, the second is the regenerative, that is, regenerative effect. The filling effect is provided by newly formed cells by the transformation of fat cells and stem cells that continue to live in the given area.
Thanks to this effect, the face contour is changed and deep lines are filled. The cheekbones, lips, chin tip and chin contour are corrected by this effect. The edges of the eyebrows are clarified and the eye area is filled. The regenerative effect is provided by the given stem cells. They are transformed into missing connective tissue elements and fibroblasts, increase collagen synthesis. There is a general rejuvenation and refreshment of the skin. The thinned skin becomes plump, the dried skin is moisturized, fine wrinkles and spots are reduced.
Adipose tissue is removed from any part of the body with the help of special thin cannulas and injectors. The oil taken is purified by centrifugation or filtering. The ends are injected into the necessary areas on the face using blunt thin cannulas. Fat injections to the face are performed in an operating room environment and under heavy sedatives (sedation), general anesthesia is often not required.
Fat injections are not painful procedures. Patients are more disturbed by swelling and bruises. Patients are usually sent home the same day. The first 2 days may have some swelling and bruising. In order to reduce this, ice application is made in the early period. Patients can go out the next day wearing glasses. Bruising and swelling begin to decrease after the third day, at the end of a week they are greatly reduced. If there are bruises left, they can be hidden with the help of concealing makeup. After about 3 weeks, the face largely returns to normal. As with all surgical procedures, protection from the sun afterwards is important.
