Facial Fat Grafting
Fat Grafting Can Correct:
It’s common to undergo volume loss in the face as we age. This particularly occurs in the temples, cheeks, and lower face. Tissue that remains tends to drift lower on the face due to gravity, skin laxity, and ligament stretching, creating droopy folds and sagging. While dermal fillers are a popular way to restore volume, fat transfer can also be used to restore facial volume.
What to Expect
Before your facial fat grafting procedure, we will meet to talk about your desired goals, medical history, and procedural techniques. We’ll also measure your face, take photographs, and will recommend a personalized treatment based on your desired outcomes and anatomy. During this consultation, we’ll also answer any questions you may have and will discuss potential risks or complications, sedation options, recovery time, and aftercare instructions.
In many cases, facial fat grafting can be performed under local anesthetic to numb the area. During the procedure, we’ll use a small tube to remove fat cells from the abdomen, hips, stomach, or thighs. Next, we’ll process the adipose tissue in a special centrifuge and extract only the healthiest and most viable fat cells. These fat cells with be carefully deposited using a small needle into facial areas and tissue planes where they will receive an adequate supply of blood and nutrients.
We perform facial fat grafting as an outpatient procedure at our accredited Northern Arizona SurgiCenter in Flagstaff.
Medical Review: This procedural information has been medically reviewed by plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Brian A. Cripe, M.D.
Facial Fat Grafting Recovery and Aftercare
To optimize healing, we ask our patients to follow these recovery guidelines after their procedure. If you notice increased redness, discharge, or pain near your incision, please give us a call right away.
Facial fat grafting patients usually feel ready to return to work and social activities within a week of the procedure. The procedure doesn’t require any incisions or sutures to take care of, because the fat is grafted through a tiny needle.
Light swelling and/or bruising are common and should completely subside within a few weeks. Please take it easy while you recover, and rest. Everyone heals at their own pace, and it’s important not to strain or participate in strenuous activities for four weeks after the surgery. Be gentle with the donor and graft locations, and avoid applying direct pressure to the grafted area in particular. Sleep on your back. If you notice increased redness, discharge, or pain near your incision, please give us a call right away.
Please note that fat volume loss is expected after fat grafting. Typically patients retain about 70% of the fat cells we graft, and subsequent fat grafting procedures may be necessary to meet your goals.
Facial Fat Grafting FAQs
Book Your Fat Grafting Appointment
Our experienced, board-certified plastic surgeons have performed thousands of cosmetic procedures. We would love to bring you in for a consultation to discuss your desired outcomes and treatment options. Fill out this form to receive a call-back shortly, or give us a call at 928-774-2300.