Fat Transfer to the Face

Wrinkles and fine lines, hollowness and loss of facial volume, and many other common concerns can be significantly improved with a facial fat transfer procedure. Also referred to as fat grafting or simply “fat injections,” this innovative treatment utilizes excess fat cells taken from one area of your body to create natural-looking, long-lasting facial rejuvenation. Facial fat transfer from our board-certified plastic surgeon, Daniel Mills, MD, essentially gives patients a double-benefit: liposuction in addition to facial enhancement. Dr. Mills will extract excess fat from one region of the body, then purify the fat cells for transfer to the areas of the face targeted for treatment. Ultimately, facial fat transfer can enhance volume and definition to specific facial features while smoothing out wrinkles and fine lines to create a smoother, more youthful aesthetic.

• Fat Injection Candidates
• Facial Fat Grafting Procedure
• Facial Fat Grafting Recovery
• Fat Grafting Cost

Am I a Candidate for Fat Injections?

Ideal candidates for fat injection procedures are typically those who are looking to address concerns such as:

• Hollowness (atrophy) in the cheeks
• A sunken appearance under the eyes
• Marionette lines
• Forehead lines
• Wrinkles, creases, or deep folds in certain facial areas
• Loss of volume in the lips
• Loss of volume/fullness in the jawline area
• Loss of volume in the temples
• Mild scarring

Women and men who are interested in this procedure should be in reasonably good overall health, and should have an adequate amount of excess fat in another region of the body for successful transfer to facial areas. During your initial consultation, Dr. Mills will talk with you about your goals and determine whether facial fat transfer is the best option for your unique needs. If so, Dr. Mills will create a customized treatment plan designed to meet your expectations with natural-looking results. While facial fat grafting is an effective procedure on its own, it can also be an effective complement to other aesthetic enhancement procedures, such as facelift surgery, for a more comprehensive rejuvenation.

What Is Involved In the Facial Fat Grafting Procedure?

Facial fat grafting involves two separate components: liposuction to harvest the “donor” fat cells followed by injection of the fat into the facial areas targeted for rejuvenation. With that in mind, this treatment allows patients to recontour one area of the body while significantly rejuvenating the face with exceptional, long-lasting results. The location where liposuction will be performed will be chosen by you and Dr. Mills during the initial consultation. In most cases, the fat is harvested from an area such as the abdomen, hips, flanks, thighs, or buttocks; however, other body regions may also serve as ideal areas to extract the excess fat. The fat will be removed via liposuction and then filtered in preparation for transfer to the face. Once the donor fat is prepared, Dr. Mills will carefully and precisely inject it into the targeted facial areas.

Facial fat grafting procedures are typically performed on an outpatient basis and do not usually require an overnight hospital stay. The results of facial fat transfer should be immediately visible, and should become even more noticeable as swelling diminishes during the recovery process. The effects of this treatment are known to last much longer than those associated with dermal fillers. In fact, many patients have experienced the results of fat grafting for years.

What Can I Expect During Facial Fat Grafting Recovery?

The recovery period is often different for each patient depending on the particulars of the treatment plan; however, most patients will need at least a few days at home following the facial fat grafting procedure. This is typically due to the liposuction component of the treatment. Most patients are able to resume normal routines in about three to seven days. Some degree of swelling and bruising can be expected in the treatment areas; these effects should diminish over time. Dr. Mills will provide you with detailed post-operative instructions that can help you achieve a smooth and effective recovery.

How Much Does Facial Fat Grafting Cost?

The total cost of facial fat grafting, including both the liposuction and fat transfer components of the procedure, typically falls in the $3,000 to $7,500 range at our practice. The price is often not the same for each patient because the treatment is customized based on factors such as the area targeted for liposuction, the specific facial concerns being addressed, the complexity of the procedure, costs associated with anesthesia and use of the surgical facility, and other expenses. Once Dr. Mills develops your personalized treatment plan, a member of our team here at Aesthetic Plastic Surgical Institute will calculate a total cost estimate, which will include all fees related to your treatment, and present it to you so you will know what to expect right at the outset. We are happy to talk with you about the many payment methods we accept at our practice, which include financial arrangements made through the plastic surgery financing company PatientFi™. This reputable lending agency offers a variety of payment plans to qualified applicants who would like to pay for their treatment on a convenient monthly basis.

If you would like to learn more about facial fat transfer procedures, or if you are ready to schedule a consultation with Dr. Mills to explore whether this advanced treatment option is right for your needs, please contact us today.