Facial Fat Transfer

A facial fat transfer is a cosmetic procedure that takes fat from one area of the body and uses it to rejuvenate the face. ⁽¹⁾ As we age, it is common to experience facial volume loss that can cause a gaunt or weary look; weight loss can also result in these concerns. While dermal fillers can provide effective volumization, their effects eventually wear off. A facial fat transfer offers long-lasting volume restoration for patients hoping to fill hollow areas or improve definition.

The surgeons at the Aeris Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine have helped thousands of patients revitalize their appearance through innovative procedures, including facial fat transfers.

To schedule your consultation at Aeris and explore your facial fat transfer options, please submit our online contact form. To speak to a member of our team or schedule over the phone, please call (305) 446-7700.

About Facial Fat Transfer

Facial fat transfers utilize a technique known as autologous fat grafting. ⁽²⁾ This is the process of harvesting the patient’s own fat from one area of the body and using it to enhance another area. Using one’s own fat reduces the risk of complications and allergic reactions, as it is 100% biocompatible. ⁽¹⁾ Many doctors now prefer to use a patient’s own fat as a filler medium, as it is readily available, is great for patients sensitive to synthetic materials, and offers the dual benefit of contouring one area while enhancing another. ⁽²⁾ In addition to facial rejuvenation, fat transfers can also be used to rejuvenate the hands and feet, augment the breasts, and it is the guiding technique behind the Brazilian Butt Lift.

About Renuva

If you are uninterested in or unable to undergo liposuction, your Aeris provider may suggest Renuva! Renuva is a specialized injectable composed of donated fat cells that have had their extracellular matrices preserved to stimulate your body’s natural regenerative properties. When administered, Renuva integrates with your surrounding tissues and acts as scaffolding in the treatment area. This scaffolding is slowly replaced by new fat cells your body has generated, leading to natural-looking and feeling facial rejuvenation. ⁽³⁾

Benefits

Facial fat transfer offers a range of advantages, including:

Suitable Candidates

All candidates interested in facial fat transfer should be in good overall health without any underlying medical conditions that may impact the outcome of the treatment. Realistic expectations should also be held about what this procedure can accomplish. Candidates for facial fat transfers typically include those seeking to restore lost facial volume or enhance facial symmetry and contours. Patients should also be nonsmokers or willing to discontinue using nicotine fully. A surgeon at Aeris will determine each patient’s candidacy for facial fat transfer during their consultation.

Personal Consultation

During a personal consultation, your surgeon will ask a series of questions to learn more about your medical history, concerns, and ideal treatment outcomes. They will also perform an evaluation to identify the targeted areas, potential donor sites, and map out the best course of action. Patients are recommended to prepare questions and voice any concerns they may have about their treatment, as this consultation is dedicated to them and their specific procedure.

To schedule your personal consultation at Aeris, please submit our online contact form. To speak to a member of our team or schedule the consultation over the phone, please call (305) 446-7700.

Preparation

Your Aeris provider will give you personalized pre-operative instructions before your facial fat transfer.

Procedure

After anesthesia administration, your surgeon will use liposuction to harvest fat from the pre-designated donor area(s). Common donor areas include the flanks, thighs, abdomen, and buttocks.

The surgeon will inject a tumescent solution containing saline, epinephrine, and a local anesthetic into the donor site before removing fat. This solution further numbs the area, minimizes bleeding, and swells the fat cells to make them easier to remove. The surgeon will place an incision near the donor site and use a cannula to gently emulsify and suction out the fat cells. The team then processes and purifies the fat to ensure only the healthiest fat cells are reintroduced to the body. Once complete, the surgeon will carefully reinject the purified fat into the patient’s face to restore volume, rejuvenate their appearance, and match their planned goals.

Recovery

Patients can return home after a monitoring period, as facial fat transfer is an outpatient procedure. The recovery phase can look different for each patient, but our team will ensure each healing process progresses smoothly.

During this time, it is common to experience tenderness, bruising, and swelling in both the face and the donor site(s). These effects are temporary and often subside on their own, but may also be managed using medications and a cold compress as directed. Patients can often return to work within one to two weeks, but demanding or high-impact activities will need to be avoided for several more weeks or until the surgeon approves. Additional instructions will be provided by the surgeon.

Results

Patients can see improvements immediately after their procedure, but the full results will become more apparent as time progresses. It is important to note that some of the fat will be reabsorbed into the body. However, the remaining fat will stay in place permanently, allowing patients to enjoy the benefits of added volume for years.

Facial fat transfer provides natural-looking enhancements that can transform your face. Patients can enjoy fuller, more voluminous cheeks, smoother undereyes, and a more youthful-looking appearance, depending on the placement of the fat.

Corresponding Procedures

Many procedures can be performed alongside facial fat transfers to create more cohesive, balanced results. Our surgeons will be more than happy to recommend additional procedures to each patient to help them further achieve their goals. For more information on the other procedures offered at Aeris, we recommend reading our blog!

SMAS Facelift

During a SMAS facelift, the surgeon repositions and tightens the SMAS layer and the skin. This procedure can address facial sagging, but it cannot add volume on its own. Combining a SMAS facelift with a facial fat transfer is a great way to address both facial sagging and hollowing during the same appointment.

Liposuction

Liposuction will be used to harvest fat during your facial fat transfer, but it is highly versatile and can be performed to address unwanted fat nearly anywhere on the body. This procedure is highly popular worldwide and was the most performed procedure in the country from 2020-2023. ⁽⁴⁾

Laser Skin Resurfacing

Laser skin resurfacing is a treatment that uses laser technology to stimulate the production of collagen and enhance your aesthetic appearance. This treatment is often used to address acne scars, sun damage, uneven pigmentation, wrinkles, and fine lines, restoring a revitalized and youthful-looking appearance. At Aeris, we offer both ablative and non-ablative lasers to help you achieve clearer, smoother, and tighter skin.

Cost of Facial Fat Transfer in Miami

The cost of each patient’s facial fat transfer can vary depending on their individualized treatment plan. Your surgeon will discuss and disclose the pricing of your procedure during your personal consultation.

To learn more about the cost of your treatment, please submit our online contact form or call our office at (305) 446-7700.

FAQ

References

1. Vasavada A, Raggio BS. Autologous Fat Grafting For Facial Rejuvenation. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557860/
2. Hua Amanda Fang, Soto E, Pigg R, et al. The Safety of Fat Grafting: An Institutional Retrospective Review. Annals of Plastic Surgery. 2022;88(5):S473-S477. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/sap.0000000000003234
3. Gold M, Biesman B, Cohen J, et al. Real-World Clinical Experience With an Allograft Adipose Matrix for Replacing Volume Loss in Face, Hands, and Body. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2024;23 Suppl 4:1-9. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.16579
4. ASPS. American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner.; 2023. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf