A ^Retired Plastic Surgeon's Notebook

Lipostructure a.k.a. Fat Grafting a.k.a. Fat Transfer

Lipostructure a.k.a. Fat Grafting a.k.a. Fat Transfer for Facial Rejuvenation 

Quick facts:

  • Costs:  $3500 – $8800 depending on how much of the face is treated and how long the surgery takes.
  • Post-operative pain:  mild to moderate.
  • Time off work or school: 2 – 3 weeks depending on how much you bruise and swell and whether or not you care if your coworkers know you had “something done”.
  • Time off driving:  1 week or once you are off narcotic pain meds.
  • Time away from the gym:  4 weeks.
  • Time off the slopes:  6 weeks.
  • Time off the kite board: 6 weeks.
  • How long it lasts: years and years.
  • Patient satisfaction:  moderate.

Lipostructure is a refined technique of fat grafting. Lipostructure differs from other fat grafting techniques in both the harvesting of the fat and the placement of the fat.  The fat is obtained usually from the abdomen, hips or thighs using a hand held syringe and low vacuum to minimize damage to the fat.  The fat is then purified by centrifuging and then loaded into small syringes.  Teeny, tiny parcels of fat is injected into all layers of the face.  This precise technique makes the results of Lipostructure more predictable and longer lasting than standard fat injections. I am very happy to be able to offer patients this method of fat grafting.Periorbital Fat Grafting

Indications for Lipostructure include any condition which results in the loss of subcutaneous fat and a resultant defect. For example, facial aging often is caused by the loss of facial fat. The lack of a youthful look is only partly because of sagging skin. It is also because of a lack of fullness under the skin. Lipostructure can sometimes restore youthful fullness in a way that standard skin tightening procedures, such as a facelift cannot.  Sometimes I will do fat grafting at the same time as a facelift.

Another example is that of acne scarring. Patients who have had severe cystic acne not only are left with superficial scars, they are often left with atrophy or wasting of the subcutaneous fat in the affected areas. Lipostructure can plump up these areas thus restoring the normal shape to the face and at the same time, make the superficial scars less prominent.

Other scar conditions, especially when the scar is depressed, can often be improved with Lipostucture.

Aging of the hands is another indication for Lipostructure. As we age, we lose fat in the hand and the veins and tendons become more prominent. Lipostructure to the hands can restore some of the youthful fullness that other treatments, such as chemical peels or vein stripping cannot.  Please see my page on this procedure.

Lipostructure is perfomed in my AAAASF certified Seattle office operating room or at Seattle Surgery Center which is located a block from my office building. Patients go home the day of surgery.

Be sure to take a look at my photo gallery for some examples.

To schedule a consultation with me, please call 206 467-1101.