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Restylane Injections, Collagen Injections and Fat Injections

Juvéderm Injections, Radiesse Injections and Fat Injections

At Obi Plastic Surgery, we provide several Facial Fillers solutions to achieve a more youthful and rested look. Please browse through the different types of facial rejuvenation procedures we provide out our very own Jacksonville MedSpa, the Renaissance Center. Please contact our plastic surgery center for any questions regarding a cosmetic procedure.

• Juvéderm™ Injections
• Radiesse® Injections
• Fat Injections

If you're considering injectables...
As we age, our faces begin to show the effects of gravity, sun exposure and years of facial muscle movement, such as smiling, chewing and squinting. The underlying tissues that keep our skin looking youthful and plumped up begin to break down, often leaving laugh lines, smile lines, crow's feet or facial creases over the areas where this muscle movement occurs.

Injectables can help improve the skin's texture by filling in the laugh lines and facial creases that often occur with aging.

Soft-tissue fillers, most commonly injectable collagen or fat, can help fill in these lines and creases, temporarily restoring a smoother, more youthful-looking appearance. When injected beneath the skin, these fillers plump up creased and sunken areas of the face. They can also add fullness to the lips and cheeks. Injectable fillers may be used alone or in conjunction with a resurfacing procedure, such as a laser treatment, or a recontouring procedure, such as a facelift.

If you're considering a facial-rejuvenation treatment with collagen or fat, this information will give you a basic understanding of the procedure — when injectables can help, how the procedure is performed, and what results you can expect. It may not answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on your individual circumstances. Please ask Dr. Obi if there is anything about the procedure you don't understand.

Types of Fillers and Injections

Juvéderm™

Juvéderm™ is one of the latest and most popular in fillers. This product is a smooth consistency gel made of hyaluronic acid (which is a naturally occurring substance in your skin) that helps to add more volume and hydration. Once Juvéderm™ is injected under the skin, it instantly restores your skin's volume and smooths away facial wrinkles and folds, like your “smile lines” or “parentheses” (nasolabial folds—the creases that run from the bottom of your nose to the corners of your mouth). Juvéderm™ provides a smooth, natural look and feel—so everyone will notice and the best part is - no one will know! To learn more about Juvéderm™, visit the Juvéderm™ web site for information or contact the Obi Plastic Surgery Center for details.

Radiesse®

Radiesse® is a dermal filler made of calcium-based microspheres suspended in a water-based gel, and is injected into the skin through a simple and minimally invasive procedure. Radiesse® dermal filler does not only restore total facial contouring but it can restore a healthy, youthful appearance, enhance your existing features, help you defy age and gravity, and overall increase your confidence. All this without invasive surgery or scarring.

The Radiesse® dermal filler remarkabley works with your own body. Upon injection, it immediately adds volume to safely contour, correct, and beautify facial features. Unlike other fillers, Radiesse® dermal filler continually works over time. With its patented microsphere technology, it starts a process called collagenesis, stimulating your body to produce new collagen and encouraging collagen to grow around the injection area. Radiesse® dermal filler actually helps your body create its own naturally younger look, setting a new standard in facial contouring and augmentation. To learn more about Radiesse®, visit the Radiesse® web site for information or contact the Obi Plastic Surgery Center for details.

Fat Injections

In the medical world, the fat-injection procedure is known as autologous fat transplantation or microlipoinjection. It involves extracting fat cells from the patient's abdomen, thighs, buttocks or elsewhere and re-injecting them beneath the facial skin. Fat is most often used to fill in "sunken" cheeks or laugh lines between the nose and mouth, to correct skin depressions or indentations, to minimize forehead wrinkles and to enhance the lips. Contact the Obi Plastic Surgery Center for details concerning fat injections.

What To Expect From Treatment

The most important fact to remember about injectable fillers is that the results are not permanent. Injected material is eventually metabolized by the body. You should not expect the same long-lasting results that may be gained from cosmetic surgery.

After treatment, the skin around the eye area appears smoother and more taut.

In some individuals, the results may last only a few weeks; in others, the results may be maintained indefinitely. Researchers believe that age, genetic background, skin quality and lifestyle as well as the injected body site may all play a role in the injected material's "staying power." However, the precise reason for the variation of results among patients has yet to be identified.

If you've had short-lived results from fat injections, you shouldn't necessarily assume that collagen injections will work better for you. And, conversely, if you've had disappointing results from collagen, don't assume that injected fat is the answer. Although it's true that some individuals' bodies are more receptive to one substance than the other, others may find that neither substance produces long-lasting results. Sometimes one substance may work better than the other for a specific problem.

Risks Related to Injectables

When injectables are administered by a qualified plastic surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor in nature. Still, individuals vary greatly in their anatomy, their physical reactions and their healing abilities. The outcome of treatment with injectables is never completely predictable.

Fat Injections: 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.

Lines and creases that form around the mouth are usually caused by gravity and a breakdown of tissues beneath the skin.

Planning for Treatment

Facial rejuvenation is very individualized. That's why it's important to discuss your hopes and expectations with a board-certified plastic surgeon who has experience with many different types of surgical and non-surgical facial procedures.

In your initial consultation, Dr. Obi will evaluate your face - the skin, the muscles and the underlying bone - and discuss your goals for the surgery. He will help you select a treatment option based on your goals and concerns, your anatomy and your lifestyle. Dr Obi will ask you about your medical history, drug allergies, and check for conditions that could cause problems, such as active skin infections or non-healed sores from injuries. Collagen injections are generally off limits for pregnant women, individuals who are allergic to beef or bovine products, patients who suffer from autoimmune diseases, and those who are allergic to lidocaine (the anesthetic agent contained in the syringe with the collagen material). For more specific information about the contraindications and risks of collagen use, ask Dr. Obi for the manufacturer's brochure for patients.

Insurance usually doesn't cover cosmetic procedures. However, if your injectable treatment is being performed to treat a scar or indentation from an accident or injury, you may be reimbursed for a portion of the cost. Check with your insurance carrier to be sure.

Types of Anesthesia

Fat Injections: 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.

The lower face appears firmer and smoother after treatment with injectables. Lines around the mouth are filled in and nearly imperceptible.

The Treatments

Fat Injections

In the medical world, the fat-injection procedure is known as autologous fat transplantation or microlipoinjection. It involves extracting fat cells from the patient's abdomen, thighs, buttocks or elsewhere and re-injecting them beneath the facial skin. Fat is most often used to fill in "sunken" cheeks or laugh lines between the nose and mouth, to correct skin depressions or indentations, to minimize forehead wrinkles and to enhance the lips.

The procedure: After both the donor and recipient sites are cleansed and treated with a local anesthesia, the fat is withdrawn using a syringe with a large-bore needle or a cannula (the same instrument used in liposuction) attached to a suction device. The fat is then prepared and injected into the recipient site with a needle. Sometimes an adhesive bandage is applied over the injection site.

After treatment: If a larger area was treated, you may be advised to curtail your activity for a brief time. However, many patients are able to resume normal activity immediately. You can expect some swelling, bruising or redness in both the donor and recipient sites. The severity of these symptoms depends upon the size and location of the treated area. You should stay out of the sun until the redness and bruising subsides - usually about 48 hours. In the meantime, you may use makeup with sun block protection to help conceal your condition. The swelling and puffiness in the recipient site may last several weeks, especially if a large area was filled.

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. Dr. Obi will advise you on how to maintain your results with repeat treatments.

Your New Look

If you're like most patients, you'll be very satisfied with the results of your injectable treatments. You may be surprised at the pleasing results that can be gained from this procedure.

With regular follow-up treatments, your refreshed look can be easily maintained.

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