Facial lipofilling (lipostructure or lipomodelage)

Lipostructure or lipofilling is a fat autograft: as the donor of fat cells and the recipient are the same person, the risk of rejection is zero and the tolerance maximum.

Unlike figure lipostructure, microlipofilling of the face requires small volumes of fat: it can therefore be envisaged even for slim patients, as fat removal from the fold of the knee may suffice.

Dr Santini offers facial lipofilling as an alternative to hyaluronic acid injections, when the patient wants a definitive result: in fact, it is possible to start with hyaluronic acid injections to appreciate the expected result.

Lipostructure has a dual effect:

• a volumizing effect, considered definitive after a few weeks, once the fat graft has set (around ¼ to 1/3 of the cells are resorbed). However, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, as any adipocyte can increase or decrease in volume through the storage/unstorage of fat;
• a trophic effect that enhances skin radiance, thanks to the rich stem cells in the stromal tissue contained in fat.

Dr Christelle Santini offers lipostructurefacial beautification on :

• chin, to treat a short chin by chin lipofilling, as an alternative to prosthetic genioplasty. prosthetic genioplasty or medical genioplasty using hyaluronic acid ;
• lips, to enhance the contour of the mouth and improve the glossy effect through lipofilling;
• cheeks or cheekbones.

Dr Christelle Santini also offers facial rejuvenation using microlipofilling to treat the volumetry of the oval of the face, fill in nasolabial folds or bitterness creases, rejuvenate hollow temples or a hollow forehead, or rejuvenate the eyes by filling in hollow dark circles.

Like all cosmetic surgery procedures, the law requires an initial visit at least 2 weeks before facial lipofilling.
Dr. Santini verifies the indications and the absence of contraindications.

She is attentive to your needs and can suggest a temporary remodelling with hyaluronic acid to help you better project the result.

It also determines where the fat is harvested, depending on whether or not real liposuction of a body part.

Dr Santini will also prescribe a compulsory consultation with the anaesthetist and give you his main recommendations:

• Smoking cessation 1 month before and after surgery, to improve fat graft uptake, thanks to better neo-vascularization.
• Stop taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs or oral anticoagulants for 15 days prior to facial lipofilling, to reduce the risk of bleeding.
• Stop taking oral contraceptives 1 month before microlipofilling, to reduce the risk of thromboembolism.
  Fasting for at least 6 hours on the day of surgery.

Facial lipofilling is performed in a clinic, usually under general anaesthetic and released the same day.

The procedure is carried out in two stages:

• Fat is removed using gentle liposuction with a syringe (small volumes) or conventional liposuction with a cannula and surgical aspirator;
• injections are made with fine, foamy, atraumatic cannulas. Dr Santini chooses cannulas with lateral orifices, to guide the graft perfectly and cover the volumes well. Successful lipofilling presupposes a harmonious, regular procedure that enhances the contours: it's better to undercorrect and re-inject after a few months, to avoid creating a puffy effect that detracts from the harmonious result.

Incisions are just a few millimeters wide, and do not always require absorbable sutures: steristrips may suffice.

Facial lipofilling may be accompanied by swelling and bruising, which will subside within a few days. You shouldn't stop at the results of the first few days, as up to 1/3 of the graft will be resorbed: this is normal.

Results are considered stabilized after 3 months, with a dual volumizing and trophic effect that enhances the complexion.

It's advisable to isolate yourself for 1 to 7 days, stay out of the sun, don't resume intense sports for 1 month and don't massage the face for ¾ weeks.

Once the cells have been grafted, they can no longer be resorbed: however, a healthy lifestyle is essential, as adipocytes can increase in size if the face becomes fatter, or conversely decrease in volume if the face becomes thinner.

• Natural, definitive result with no foreign bodies and no risk of rejection.
• No visible scars on lipostructure.
• 2-in-1 effect with a trophic and volumizing effect.

What to do before facial lipofilling?

• 1 to 2 cosmetic surgery consultations.
• We provide a quote and take photographs.
• Compulsory 15-day cooling-off period for informed consent.
• Consultation with anaesthetist, blood test.
• Stop smoking 1 month before lipomodelling, stop taking aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs 10 days before facial lipofilling.

What happens during a facial lipostructure session in Paris?

• General anesthesia
• Gentle liposuction most often on the thigh or stomach.
• On average, the procedure takes 1 to 3 hours, on an outpatient basis.

What are the after-effects of a facial microlipofilling session?

• Social eviction for about a week.
• Cessation of sport and smoking for about a month.
• Visible results immediately for facial microlipofilling, but ¼ to 1/3 of the graft will resorb in the first few weeks.
• Final result at 3 months, touch-up possible at 6 months.