FAMI (Fat Autograft Muscle Injection)

Shrinkage of facial muscles is one of the primary manifestations of the aging process. Aging combined with diet and exercise can cause many people to develop a thinner face. In some cases a dramatic 'skeltonization' may occur. For these patients a lifting procedure alone may produce a masked look.

Restoring the volume of the atrophied muscles is an obvious method of facial rejuvenation. Fat Autografting Muscle Injections (FAMI) augments the volume of the muscles in the forehead, cheeks, mouth, chin and jawline with fat to restore the more youthful look of a fuller face.

 

FAMI (Fat Autograft Muscle Injection)
Before and After Photos

What is FAMI?

FAMI stands for Fat Autografting Muscle Injection. It is a minimally invasive procedure that facilitates the correction of facial deficiencies. FAMI is an outpatient procedure in which Dr. Nikko removes fat tissue from another part of the body with liposuction, then refines this fat tissue by centrifugation and injects it into the facial muscles with the use of specially made instruments.

How is FAMI different from other fat transfer procedures?

Fat transfer, also called autologous fat transplantation, has been around since the '70s. This technique did not respect the facial vascular paths. The results were very inconsistent and for many patients asymmetric. The new AMAR bloodless technique respects the facial vascular network and places the fat into the facial muscles to provide long-lasting, symmetric results.
FAMI is also the only procedure that uses specially designed cannulas to place the fat autograft into the vascular facial muscle bed. The main facial muscle groups are injected with a maximum chance to integrate the host tissues.

Is fat grafting safe?

Yes. Fat transfer procedures are performed by thousands of doctors worldwide. It is an outpatient procedure performed using local block anesthesia. FAMI has been demonstrated to have very few complications in the hands of doctors specifically trained in this procedure.
Fat transferred to your face using FAMI can provide genuine facial rejuvenation without the presence of foreign bodies. FAMI injects your face with your own living fatty connective tissue, correcting asymmetry and restoring the fullness of youth. There is no risk of an allergic reaction since it is your own fat.

Who is a good candidate?

The aging process can produce hollows and depressions in anyone's face. All patients with skeltonization of the frontal, cheek, or chin areas, who are looking for rejuvenation without an open surgery, can benefit from FAMI. Patients with sagging jowls will likely need a full facelift to remove the excess skin. But once the folds are removed these patients will benefit the most from FAMI, which will give a more thorough rejuvenation and a softer, younger appearance.

If I have had or am having BOTOX® injections, can I have the FAMI procedure?

Yes. However FAMI works better on the muscles that have not been injected with BOTOX®. BOTOX® works by blocking the impulses to some of the facial muscles by causing a paralysis of the treated facial muscle. Over time, this can cause the muscle to atrophy. As a result, the muscle may not have as great a blood supply.

What if I lose or gain weight?

In general, your body weight may remain unchanged if your diet and exercise remain the same. The old rule that your face is the first place to show a weight gain or loss is no longer the case. Conversely, when patients gain weight, it inverts the aging process effects in the face.

What is the recovery like?

After your FAMI procedure you might have some bruising around the injection sites. These can be easily masked. There will be some swelling and it might last as long as two weeks. Most patients resume all of their routine activities within two days and public or professional activities within two weeks. As the swelling subsides, you and your friends will begin to notice the rejuvenation.

Can the FAMI procedure be repeated?

Yes, FAMI is an "a la carte" procedure. Many patients are so excited with their results that they elect to have other facial areas treated in subsequent sessions. Patients can choose the area to be treated first and come back for more treatment in other areas at a later date.

If you are interested in getting a facial rejuvenation with FAMI, please contact our office to schedule your consultation.