Fillers – Implants

Gore-Tex®

Benefits of Gore-Tex®
Gore-Tex® and other implants are available to enhance the lips and improve the “smile” lines. These implants are permanent.

Gore-Tex® is a very useful type of soft tissue augmentation as it is permanent, but reversible. It has been used for a variety of medical purposes, such as artificial aortas, repair of abdominal wall defects, and now for cosmetic implants. It is well tolerated and comes in several shapes which can be custom fitted to use.

For upper lip enhancement, Dr. Zweig uses a Gore-Tex® strand. It is threaded from the corner of the mouth to the peak of the cupid’s bow on either side. The two strands do not meet in the middle. This technique forms a natural looking ridge that can be further enhanced with permanent lip liner or simply by using a lip lining pencil.

For the “smile” lines, multiple strands of Gore-Tex® are threaded from the corner of the nose along the nasolabial fold downward stopping just above the lip. This is very popular with male patients and for women who have very deep lines.
Gore-Tex® implants along the lip line and to fill smile lines, (nasolabial folds) are usually done in a procedure room with a local anesthetic. Tiny sutures are placed at the edge of both the lips and the “smile” lines and are removed in two days. This is a relatively painless procedure and healing time is rapid.

Back to Top »

Fat Implants or Transfers

Benefits of Fat Implants or Transfers
A fat implant or transfer restores normal facial contours in areas where fat has disappeared or been absorbed. For example, runners may look gaunt because the fat in their cheek area has been absorbed. Dr. Zweig has found that the areas most successfully treated are those that previously had fat. He has a high rate of success performing a fat transfer to fill in the hollowness in the cheek area. As the fat used is the patient’s own fat, there is no chance of an allergic reaction.

How a Fat Implant or Transfer is Done
Fat is harvested, usually from the abdomen or outer thigh in a technique similar to liposuction. It is then processed and a limited quantity is placed in the areas needed. Dr. Zweig creates the shape and contour desired. During the initial collection, he harvests and freezes enough for multiple treatments to be done over the course of a year as some of the fat is expected to survive and some is absorbed. The treatments are done in a procedure room with little discomfort. His technique of injecting in small quantities or layering has a much higher rate of success than a single large treatment. The cost of a fat implant or transfer includes the harvesting, processing, and multiple treatments. While it is not possible to say exactly how long a fat implant or transfer will last, most patients can expect many years of good correction. If sagging skin and muscles are a problem as well, a face/neck lift may also be desired or recommended.

Dr. Zweig does not do fat implants or transfers in the lip area or nasolabial line (smile lines) as fat implants or transfers in these areas are not as satisfactory as other injectable fillers to most patients. But in the cheek area alone, it can have a dramatic effect by restoring the roundness associated with youth.

Anesthesia
Fat implants or transfers are performed in our AAAHC-accredited outpatient surgery center with a little sedation and a local anesthetic, but there are other options for anesthesia given by our board-certified physician anesthesiologist.

Recovery
The initial site of the fat implant or transfer may swell, bruise, and be sensitive to the touch, but there will be little, if any, discomfort. The harvest site may be a little sore, but Tylenol® (acetaminophen) easily manages this. Many patients do not bruise at all and return to work in a day or so. Dr. Zweig will see you again in about four to six weeks. At that time, he may re-treat the area or wait somewhat longer. A treatment only takes a few minutes, but you should expect about a half an hour in order to prepare your fat to be injected and to do the treatment and apply cold compresses, which will help prevent bruising. Most patients have no bruising.

Back to top »