Collagen or Fat Injection Procedure: Injecting soft-tissue fillers, most commonly injectable collagen or fat, to help fill in lines and creases, temporarily restoring a smoother, more youthful-looking appearance. Length: 15-45 minutes. Anesthesia: Collagen: Because the anesthetic agent lidocaine is mixed in with collagen, additional anesthetic is usually not used. However, if you are especially sensitive to pain, your doctor may use a topical cream anesthetic or a freon spray to numb the injected area. Or, you may elect to have an injected local anesthetic or sedative drugs. Fat: Both the donor and recipient sites are numbed with local anesthesia. Sedation can be used as well. If you elect to use sedation, be sure to arrange for a ride home after your treatment. In/Outpatient: Usually outpatient. Risks: Because individuals vary greatly in their anatomy, their physical reactions and their healing abilities, the outcome of treatment with injectables is never completely predictable. However, when injectables are administered by a qualified plastic surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor in nature. Collagen: Allergic reaction is the primary risk of collagen. To help determine if you are allergic to the substance, your surgeon will perform an allergy skin test about a month before the procedure. After the test is performed, the test site should be watched carefully for three or four weeks, or as long as your surgeon advises. Any sign of redness, itching, swelling or other occurrences at the test site should be reported to your surgeon. Risks not necessarily related to allergies include infection, abscesses, open sores, skin peeling, scarring and lumpiness, which may persist over the treated area. Reports of these problems are very rare. Fat: Allergic reaction is not a factor for fat because it's harvested from a patient's own body. However, there is still a small risk of infection and other infrequent complications. Duration of Results: The duration of the fat injections varies significantly from patient to patient. Though some patients have reported results lasting a year or more, the majority of patients find that at least half of the injected fullness disappears within 3-6 months. Therefore, repeated injections may be necessary. Your doctor will advise you on how to maintain your results with repeat treatments. Click here for more information about Collagen and Fat injection. |
| Vinings Surgery Center 1900 The Exchange Building 300 Suite 300 Atlanta, GA 30339 Phone: (770)-955-9000 Fax: (770)-955-9009 |
