FAMI
Benefits
FAMI or Fat Autograft Muscle Injection is a procedure by which fat from one specific area of the body is used to overcome shrinkage of facial muscles, balance facial asymmetries, add volume to the lips and hands or treat acne scarring. Augmenting the volume of the muscles in the forehead, cheeks, mouth, chin and jaw line with fat restores the more youthful look of a fuller face. The bloodless FAMI technique respects the facial vascular network and places the fat into the facial muscles to provide long-lasting, symmetric results. There is no risk of an allergic reaction since it is your own fat.
Treatment
The procedure is a two-step process. The fat is removed from the designated location on the body and refined using a centrifuge to harvest the dense middle layer of fatty tissue. After the fat is harvested, we use PK anesthesia to make the patient comfortable. The second stage during the same operation is a series of microinjections of the harvested fatty tissue using seven anatomically curved cannulae adapted to the 27 superficial muscles of the face. Within two days after the procedure, the fat graft is anchored in the surrounding tissues by the healing process and the new blood flow coming from the host tissue.
Recovery
After the procedure is complete, the patient must avoid face washing for three days to prevent any rubbing that could impair the revascularization of the fat autograft. Some swelling is likely to occur but will begin to recede slowly at the end of the first month following the procedure. Swelling can be minimized by applying ice packs. The skin may also feel tense (or firm) and you may experience some bruising around the injection sites that will resolve within a few days and can be easily masked. The potential risk of infection is reduced when the patient practices disciplined hygiene. Patients may resume routine activities at home within two days and public activities within two weeks.
This procedure works best with muscles that have not been injected with Botox.
