DEFINITION, AIMS AND PRINCIPLES
The principle is an autograft of fat cells from fat harvested from the patient.
Lipostructure can be used for many depressions (troughs) which can be natural or post-traumatic or iatrogenic.
- Aesthetic indications:
• The filling and smoothing of certain wrinkles, especially of the face.
• Restoration of volume and shape to the face. - Indications for reconstructive surgery :
• Filling of a depressed zone resulting from injury
• Correction of irregularities following a liposuction procedure.
• Correction of wasting after triple therapy for HIV + patients.
Before the surgery :
A preoperative check up will be carried out as prescribed. An anesthesiologist will see you in consultation.
Smoking cessation is recommended.
No aspirin-based medication should be taken during the 10 days preceding the operation.
HOSPITAL STAY AND TYPE OF ANESTHESIA
Type of anesthesia : Local anesthesia with sedation given by intravenous drip is the usual choice for lipostructure. One can also use local anesthesia alone, or general anesthesia.
Hospital stay : The procedure is carried out on an outpatient basis.
THE SURGERY :
We can however give you some basic points : The harvesting of fat is carried out atraumatically through a tiny incision hidden in the natural skin creases, using a small canula. Re-injection is carried out through 1mm incisions using micro-canulas. Tiny particles of fat are re-injected at different levels and in multiple divergent directions. This increases the surface area in contact with the implanted cells and receptor tissue and ensures the survival of the grafted fat cells.
AFTER THE OPERATION :
After the operation pain is usually mild. Swelling usually takes 5 to 15 days to disappear completely.
Bruising appears on the injection sites: it disappears 10 to 20 days after the procedure.
Once the swelling and bruising have settled the final result will begin to be visible 2 to 3 weeks after the procedure.
THE RESULT :
The final aspect will not be visible before 3 to 6 months.
It is most often satisfactory, whenever the indication and the technique have been respected.