Facial fat transfer has emerged as one of the most effective ways to achieve natural-looking results when restoring youthful contours. By using your body’s own fat to replenish lost volume, this procedure delivers subtle, long-lasting rejuvenation that blends beautifully with your natural features.
What Is a Facial Fat Transfer?
Also called autologous fat grafting or fat injection, facial fat transfer is a minimally invasive technique that restores fullness to areas of the face that have thinned over time. During the procedure, a small amount of fat is gently harvested from areas where you have excess—commonly the abdomen, flanks, or thighs. After being carefully purified, the fat is strategically injected into facial areas that have lost volume due to aging or weight loss.
Because your own tissue is used, this approach not only replenishes volume but also introduces beneficial growth factors that may improve skin quality over time.
Common Areas We Treat
Facial fat transfer can rejuvenate nearly any area that has lost youthful fullness. Most often, we use this technique to enhance:
- Cheeks and cheekbones
- Temples
- Tear troughs (under-eye hollows)
- Deep facial lines, such as the nasolabial folds and marionette lines
How the Procedure Works
Your fat transfer is performed with care and precision in three main steps:
- Harvesting: Using gentle liposuction, we collect a small amount of fat from a donor site such as the abdomen, thighs, or flanks.
- Purification: The fat is processed to isolate healthy, viable fat cells for re-injection.
- Injection: With a fine cannula, your surgeon places the fat into targeted areas of the face to restore soft, natural volume.
Anesthesia & Complementary Procedures
Facial fat transfer is typically performed under general anesthesia and can be done on its own or combined with other procedures for a more complete rejuvenation plan.
To achieve the most balanced, youthful results, facial fat grafting is often combined with procedures that lift and tighten the skin or treatments that refine surface texture. Your surgeon will work with you to design a plan that meets your individual goals.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
You may be a good candidate for facial fat transfer if you:
- Have lost facial volume due to aging or weight changes
- Are at a stable weight and not planning significant weight loss
- Are in good overall health and have enough donor fat available
- Have realistic expectations and are seeking natural, long-lasting results
During your consultation, Dr. Schutte will evaluate your facial structure, donor sites, and goals to ensure this approach is right for you. Many of our patients choose fat transfer as a more enduring and natural alternative to dermal fillers.
Benefits of Facial Fat Transfer
- Restores youthful fullness and facial contours
- Uses your own tissue for natural-looking results
- Poses no risk of allergic reaction
- Can produce long-lasting improvement, as transferred fat integrates with your own tissue
- Creates especially powerful results when combined with other facial procedures
Recovery and Downtime
After your procedure, it’s normal to experience some swelling, bruising, or redness in the treated areas. Most patients are comfortable returning to work and light activities within about one to two weeks, although visible swelling may take closer to two weeks to fully resolve.
To help the fat grafts establish a healthy blood supply, it’s important to:
- Avoid massaging or applying pressure to the treated areas
- Follow your personalized aftercare instructions
- Refrain from strenuous activity or exercise until cleared by our team
Once the transferred fat has fully integrated with your facial tissue, the results can last for many years—making this an especially appealing option for long-term rejuvenation.
Understanding the Risks
As with any surgical procedure, facial fat transfer carries some risks, including infection, bleeding, anesthesia reactions, and the possibility of uneven or unsatisfactory results. Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon experienced in facial fat grafting is essential for reducing these risks and achieving a safe, natural outcome.
The Risk of Fat Resorption
It’s possible that not all of the transferred fat will survive the process. Because fat grafting is a delicate technique, your surgeon must use meticulous methods to maximize the survival of the fat cells. Working with a plastic surgeon who performs facial fat transfer regularly is the best way to improve your chances of an excellent, lasting result.
Cost Considerations
The cost of facial fat transfer varies based on factors like:
- Your surgeon’s experience
- The geographic location of the practice
- The type of anesthesia used
- Whether it’s combined with other facial procedures
You’ll receive a personalized cost estimate during your consultation. This will outline all associated fees, including surgeon’s fees, anesthesia, and operating facility costs. Our team can also discuss financing options to help make your procedure as accessible as possible.
Begin With a Personal Consultation
Facial fat transfer is a sophisticated procedure that requires advanced skill and artistry. At Front Range Plastic Surgery, our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Schutte, combines technical expertise with a personalized approach to achieve results that look natural and feel like you.
If you’re ready to explore your facial rejuvenation options, we invite you to schedule a private consultation. Together, we’ll create a plan tailored to your needs, helping you look refreshed, youthful, and completely yourself.
