Before you read this, and especially if you have only incipient signs of aging, I recommend to learn to know about home made microneedling. If I had got to know microneedling at an earlier stage, I think that I could have postponed the surgical operations for a couple of years ahead.

Fat-transfer and microneedling

When riffling scientic articles about microneedling, to my surprise I also found a new study (2016), according to which microneedling before fat-transfer promotes the survival of the transfered fat cells.

Fat-transfer to face

After my thread-lift, I did no longer trust the Finnish plastic surgery as wide-eyed as before, and when I started to plan for my next operation, I carefully found out about the surgeon and the clinic. I chose a famous clinic that has a good reputation, and that guarantee Finnish quality and security. I was recommended fat-transfer to face. I was told that I was too young for facelift.

The first and second fat-transfer

The first fat-transfer went well. One of the features of fat-transfers, is that usually at least half of the fat cells disappear within half a year after transfered. I was fully aware of this, and the second fat-transfer was done half a year after the first one. Also this one went well.

The third fat-transfer

I was in many ways satisfied with the results of the fat-transfers, but they had not had any impact on my so called "hamster cheeks". I thought that a mid-facelift might be the best way to get rid of this problem, but unfortunately I followed the recommendation of the surgeon, and the third fat-transfer was done. The result was, that the area of my jaw became quite too heavy and massive, pulling down my mouth and making me look somehow sad and angry.

After the fat-transfer

I do recommend fat-transfer, but to an appropriate extent and to the right areas of face. It gives a really natural and beautiful result when fat is transfered for example to the area under your eyes and to the cheekbones. And one big advantage is, that after those usually 2-3 times of transfers, the result is lifelong. On the other hand you must also regard, that these fat cells are the first ones to react when your weight rises or falls. In other words, if your weight tend to fluctuate a lot, fat-transfer is not necessarily the best alternative.

I intend to get the situation described above repaired. I have been in contact to another surgeon, and he said that he is not a proponent of fat-transfers, because no nervs or muscles are formed into the fat transfered, it sort of just "hanging" there.

It is really difficult to know who to trust in and whom to listen to! I sure will tell here in my blog when I have been "under repair", in what way it was done and how it succeeded. (This has been done later).

Recovery from fat-transfer

Recovering from fat-transfer is a bit difficult. You will have quite a lot of bruises and swelling. I have got back to work 7-9 days after my fat-transfers. I have then still had somewhat swelling. Bruises too, but bruises can always be covered with make-up.

If you want tips on how to cover your bruises, have a look at How to prepare for surgery and Recovery after aesthetic surgery

Good to know after fat-transfer:

• The fat cells tranfered do not like cold. In other words, if you have the fat-transfer done in the cold season, you should stay inside as much as possible for 4-5 weeks after the fat-transfer. 
• The fat cells transfered neither like tobacco smoke. If you smoke, you should stop preferably several months before the fat-transfer. 
• After the fat-transfer, you should eat as carbohydrate-rich food as possible. So this is a great opportunity to enjoy the sweet things in life with good conscience 😉No slimming or diets for at least two months after the fat-transfer! 
• Ubiquinol (Q10) helps the transfered fat cells to survive. You can buy it from a pharmacy or a health food store. It is a good idea to get it in advance, and to start eating it about one week before the fat-transfer. After the fat-transfer you should eat it for at least two weeks. 
• Inflammatory drugs should not be taken for 2 weeks before fat-transfer, since they might cause unnecessary bleeding and bruises. Also fish oil capsules, omega 3-6 and garlic might cause bleeding tendency, and the recommendation is to avoid them for several weeks before fat-transfer. 

I have followed all the recommendations mentioned above, and the fat cells have survived exceptionally well (better than I could have expected, was what the surgeon said). I can not say for sure how much these things have influenced, but perhaps partly however. Of course it is a lot about individual matters, how well the fat cells survive.