Making Fat Work For You

Making Fat Work for You

"Fat" has become a taboo word for most people in the United States, since our society tells us that we have to be lean and muscular. Why, then, are some people paying money to get fat injected into their bodies? The answer is simple—cosmetic surgery now uses fat as an injectable filler in places where we want more structure to our faces. As we grow older, our faces naturally begin to droop and sage due to sun exposure, smiling and frowning, chewing, squinting, and a variety of other things. The underlying tissues in our skin break down and so we are left with excess skin that wrinkles and creases.

The most common types of injectables are collagen and fat. These substances can be injected into the face to fill in lines and creases, plumping up the areas of your face that are sunken or wrinkled. These injections can also be used to plumb your lips and add fullness to your cheeks, although it is usually used to combat laugh lines, crow's feet, smile lines, and forehead creases. The end result is a smoother, more natural-looking face. This effect will not last forever, but regular treatments can help you to keep your youthful appearance longer. Many people just injectables in conjunction with face lifts, Botox treatments, or brow lifts.

If you get collagen injectables, remember that there is always the risk that your body will be allergic to the product. A few weeks before your treatment, your surgeon should perform an allergy skin test. With fat injectables, allergies are not a problem, since the fat will be taken from the patient's own body. However, it is important to remember that all cosmetic surgery comes with the slight risk of complications, which can be very serious.

In any case, makes sure that you consult with your surgeon at least twice before the operation. He or she should know exactly what kind of look you want to achieve with your injectable treatment. Again, this will not last forever, and with some patients it may be gone is as little as a month. Make sure you talk with your doctor about the risks as well as about the procedure itself. It is crucial that you understand how it works and what to expect. Always be sure to take your doctor's advice on what not to eat and drink before your treatment and how long you should take to recover.