Restoring facial volume with fat grafting at the University of Ottawa.
Addressing facial volume loss is an important aspect of facial rejuvenation. Shrinking facial tissues lead to noticeable hollows, folds and uneven facial contours. Fat transfer is a surgical procedure that is employed to restore fullness to the face to firm the skin, smooth wrinkles and refresh one’s appearance. It involves harvesting fat from a donor site on the body and using this fat to fill areas of the face requiring volume restoration. There is no risk of disease transmission or rejection as the fat is donated from the body and transferred back. A percentage of the transferred fat melts away over a 6-8 week period post-surgery, a process known as resorption. The plastic surgeon takes this into account and compensates accordingly. The remaining fat is expected to be permanent. Patients under the care of plastic surgeons at the University of Ottawa will be informed on what to expect pre, during and post operation to ensure their comfort, safety and optimal recovery.