You need a thin layer of extremely concentrated fat placed over the damaged parts of right side of your face next. Therapeutic radiation damage rarely if ever gets better with time. Rather the injury is progressive over the years, only worsening. The clinical experience and now the studies we have done at NYU show that such a layer can decrease the fibrosis (hardness) of your irradiated areas and improve the blood supply. The manner of concentration, the method, level and amount of placement are critical, especially at this stage.

The first stage should be done and then we should wait three or four months to give the infiltrated concentrated fat grafts a chance to bring in a new blood supply and reverse the hardening of the area. Only after the healing has begun should we consider placing a volume of fat to correct the contour deformity.

The technique used to harvest the fat, concentrate or refine the fat and place the fat can influence the result remarkably. Plastic surgeons have been grafting fat since 1893 and they have been injecting fat since at least 1908. Some have reported great results, and others have reported variable results. A big part of that difference is due to the technique used. With radiation injury like you have, the approach becomes even more complicated because the timing and level of the fat placement is even more important.

By the way, “fat grafting” or “fat transplants” just means moving fat from one part of the body to another. It can describe many, many different techniques. The method that you describe in your note is cutting out a piece of fat (often attached to the skin dermis), surgically opening a hole in the face and literally stuffing the section of fat (and skin) into the hole.

I hope this helps you.

Sydney Coleman