LAM FACIAL PLASTICS

Hi Dr Lam-

I think it is so great that you take the time to answer our questions. I am wondering if you think I would be a candidate for fat grafting. I had a laser procedure done 7 mos ago - 6 weeks after the laser (which was done for pigment spots) - my cheeks were gone! I have also had fat loss in my forehead and chin/mouth area after. My skin is damaged and I have small scars (they look like acne scars over most my face). I am crossing my fingers that more time will cure but, am losing hope as I seem to continue to worsen. My major concern with fat grafting is that my husband and I plan to have children in the next year or so. Do you think it it is possible for my face to regain some of the lost fat cells? Or to grow new ones? Basically, do you think, from your experience that I should wait until after I have children with the hope that I can grow back the fat that was lost or do you think grafting is right for me know?

Also, do you know of anything I can do in the meantime to halt continued loss of fat?

Thank you so so much for your reply.

sorry to hear what has happened to you. here are my thoughts. because you are still losing fat and are about to have kids where you might temporarily gain fat, i would wait off on the fat transfer. simply put, i don't like to hit a moving target with a permanent fill. as you may have heard, in general putting in fat right before pregnancy is not wise, since you might look too full and possibly distorted during your pregnancy. however, this is still unlikely. i think we should just wait until you are done with your pregnancy and restabilize your weight and hit a stop point for your laser damage. second, yes, i can fill the areas with temporary reversible fillers. that would be good for 2 reasons: 1. fillers can help replace the lost volume temporarily and simulate a fat transfer, 2. during pregnancy if you get too full (unlikely) i can dissolve the fillers for you and get you back down. I am very good at doing fillers to simulate fat. just check out my before and afters. most docs just fill smile lines and lips all the time. people fly in from out of country just for my restylane even. i know it sounds crazy but volume balancing is my forte.
best,
sml

Dr Lam-

Thank you for your quick reply! You are clearly an expert in the area of fat grafting and that is why I am contacting you. After all that has happened to my face in over the last several months I am hesitant (more like scared to death!) to do anything at all but, I think that if done properly fillers could really help my situation.

I live in the Northeast and will schedule a consult with you so that we can discuss in more detail.

M

Dear Dr. Lam,

Sorry to "intrude" on this posting, but my question pertains highly to this very topic. Do you know, Dr. Lam, how long laser or IPL damage continues? In your experience or study, have you found that it really does hit a stopping point? To ask Mandy's question again, is there anything a person can do to halt the progression of the damage? Will the stem cells introduced by a fat graft override the damage process set off by laser or IPL damage?

I ask you these questions only because I know you are amongst the world's elite. I thank you for considering these difficult questions and I appreciate your forum. I have learned so much.

Kindly,
Kelley

Hi,
I can only be honest and say for certain that I am uncertain. I really don't know. I have heard dates from 1 year to 18 months but I have no earthly idea. I am just trying to stay honest with my sphere of knowledge. I wish I could help more with my answer in this case.
Best,
SML

Dear Dr. Lam,

An honest answer is always the best answer. Thank you very much for considering my question and for answering with such truthfulness. I continue to learn from you, Dr. Lam. God bless.

Regards,
Kelley

thanks kelley!
have a great weekend,
sml