Face lipofilling, or lipostructure, uses your own fat to restore volume to the face. With age, the fat of the face melts and hollows appear: temples, cheekbones, dark circles, folds, jawline. The procedure fills these hollows in a lasting way. It is intended for people who want a more rested face, without any foreign product.
How the procedure unfolds
In practice
- In consultation, I analyse your request and I examine your face.
- Together we target the areas to be treated.
- I also look for an area where fat can be harvested, most often the stomach or the thighs.
- I collect information concerning your state of health.
- We take photographs for your medical record.
- I give you all the information about the surgery and I give you an estimate.
A second consultation is mandatory before any procedure. You must stop smoking at least one month before the surgery.
Surgery
Face lipofilling is performed under local anaesthesia with sedation or under general anaesthesia, depending on the extent of the areas. It takes place at the Clinique Pasteur, in Toulouse, on an outpatient basis. You go home the same day.
The purified fat is reinjected in small quantities, with fine cannulas, into the targeted areas. The entry points of the cannulas are placed in natural folds or at the hairline. They leave very small scars, in general barely visible.
The procedure most often lasts one to two hours. No large dressing is needed on the face.
Postoperative effects
Pain is in general mild.
Swelling is constant and can be marked in the first days. Bruising can appear on the injected areas and on the harvest area. In general they decrease in two to three weeks.
One to two weeks away from social life is in general enough. Home care is simple. I explain it to you before you leave.
Part of the injected fat is reabsorbed in the first months. The part that remains is in general stable over time.
The final result can be judged after several months. A second session can be proposed in some cases. I see you again in a follow-up consultation to check the evolution.
Fat harvesting
The fat is harvested with a fine cannula, through small entry points of a few millimetres. It is then purified to keep only the fat cells. This step is done in the operating theatre, just before the reinjection.
What to do to optimize the result?
- Hydrate yourself and moisturize the skin.
- Do not smoke before and after the surgery: tobacco reduces the survival of the fat.
- Protect the face from the sun during the bruising period.
- Rest in the first days.
- Do not press or massage the injected areas without my advice.
- Keep a stable weight.
Social security coverage
Face lipofilling for cosmetic reasons is in general not covered by social security. In some cases of sequelae or malformations, coverage can be considered. We discuss this in consultation.
Pricing
From 2200 euros, on estimate given at the end of the consultation.
The SOFCPRE information sheet for your procedure is given to you during the consultation.