What you need to know about lipofilling (autologous fat reinjection)
For as long as liposuction has existed, fat cells have been used to fill other parts of the body by being reintroduced where they are needed. This reinjection of autologous fat is known as lipofilling or lipomodelling.
For a long time, the results of this procedure were unstable in terms of appearance and durability: the reintroduced fat cells tended to be significantly resorbed.
The factors at the root of these defects were analyzed by plastic surgeons who did not want to let this failure stand. They gradually advanced their techniques, and in 1995 lipomodelling (or lipostructure) began to deliver truly reliable results (S.COLEMAN).
The process consists in reinjecting the extracted fat cells, thus creating a fully-fledged autograft.
The majority of hollows, whether natural, caused by trauma or resulting from medical treatment, can be filled by lipomodelling.
Prescriptions and objectives of this operation
Aesthetic prescriptions
- Improvement of marked or wrinkled facialfeatures.
- Rejuvenation of facial features marked by time or weight loss.
- Smoothing the curves of the face and restoring its relief, especially if the face has lost weight with advancing age.
- It can complement a cervico-facial lift to harmonize facial features.
- Following a facelift, this procedure can be performed to restore tone to the upper face and avoid another facelift.
- Please note that Medicare does not cover this procedure.
Prescriptions for repair and reconstruction surgery
- Filling a hollow left in the tissue by trauma.
- Smoothing of an irregular appearance resulting from liposuction.
- Mitigation of fat cell loss induced by triple therapy for HIV patients.
Under certain conditions, Medicare may cover lipomodelage if it is indicated as part of reconstructive surgery.
It is important to be fully aware that lipofilling remains a genuine surgical procedure. Choosing a plastic surgeon who is competent to perform this operation and accustomed to working in a surgical environment is essential.
The different operating phases
A scrupulous analysis, including photographic and medical analysis, will be carried out to best assess the modifications to be made.
A study will have to be carried out to compare the current appearance of the face with previous photos.
A consultation with the anaesthetist is scheduled no later than two days before the operation.
Beforehand, a pre-operative check-up is carried out to ensure that there are no contraindications to the procedure.
To avoid any problems with healing, we recommend that you stop smoking at least one month before the operation.
It is strictly forbidden to take any medication containing aspirin for ten days prior to the operation.
Lipomodelling generally requires so-called "vigile" anaesthesia(local anaesthesia accompanied by intravenous tranquilizers), or simple local anaesthesia, or sometimes even general anaesthesia.
The anaesthetist and surgeon will discuss the choice of anaesthesia with the patient.
Outpatient hospitalization is usually required, with admission and discharge on the same day.
It is sometimes necessary to stay in hospital the night after the operation.