Facial Lipostructure
The main mechanism of aging of the face is related to changes in the distribution of facial fat, involving a loss of volume of the middle-third (cheekbones, dark-circles area) and a fall in lower-cheek fat.
Lipostructure (micro-fat grafting or lipofilling) is the best option as any loss in fat cells can be replaced seamlessly. This very natural method uses the patient’s own fat cells to restore volume and improve the quality and trophicity of the treated skin (cf the many growth factors found in adipocytes or fat cells).
The procedure is comprised of three stages :
- the retrieval of fat cells using foam micro-cannulas;
- centrifugation to separate the phases and retain living fat cells only;
- injection via special micro-cannulas to complete the micro-fat grafting.
Once swelling has subsided, the added volume will be long-lasting (several years) and the grafted fat cells will mirror any changes in the patient’s weight in the same way as their natural fat.
The same method is used for breasts or any other part of the body where added volume is needed. A small proportion (5% to 10%) of the grafted fat may be absorbed over the ensuing months, however in general this can be resolved subsequently.
Process Data
| Sedation: | local, or on stand-by |
| Treatment: | ambulatory |
| Recovery: | swelling and bruising possible, prevention by Arnica |
| Convalescence: | 5 to 7 days |
| Results: | initial swelling receding with time |
Dr. Dudrap's expertise
Thanks to the micro-cannulas used by Dr Dudrap, lipostructure preserves the fat-cells integrity and is performed without visible scars. After careful analysis of anatomic structure and a description of facial volume changes during aging, a zone by zone lipostructure stategy will be worked out. Action on a neighbouring structure (blepharoplasty, cervico-facial face-lift,…) may be associated to further improve the restoration of facial volume.