Facial Fat Grafting

(Autologous Fat Transfer)

Restore youthful fullness with your own fat—subtle volume, soft transitions, and long-term harmony.

Overview

Facial fat grafting transfers living fat from areas such as the abdomen or thighs to cheeks, temples, lips, chin, and the lid–cheek junction. Using micro- and nanofat techniques, Dr. Slamin creates smooth transitions and supports skin quality in appropriate candidates. The result is soft, natural fullness that complements surgical lifts or stands alone as a subtle refresh.

Surgical Notes

  • Downtime: ~3–5 days for most social activities; swelling refines over weeks
  • Anesthesia: Local or twilight sedation
  • Setting: Office or accredited surgery center
  • Incisions/Scars: Tiny harvest sites
  • Results Timeline: Early fullness in weeks; refinement as a portion of fat revascularizes over 3–6 months
  • Longevity: A percentage of transferred fat persists long-term; touch-ups can be performed if desired

Goals of Facial Fat Grafting

  • Replenish age-related volume loss with natural tissue
  • Soften tear-trough and lid–cheek junction irregularities
  • Improve contour of temples, cheeks, and prejowl sulcus
  • Potential skin-quality benefits in select areas with nanofat

Candidates for Facial Fat Grafting

  • Volume loss from aging, weight change, or postpartum
  • Preference for your own tissue over synthetic fillers
  • Good fat donor areas (abdomen/thighs)
  • Nonsmoker with aligned expectations
  • Good health and realistic expectations (some resorption is normal)

Dr. Slamin’s Approach to Facial Fat Grafting

Consultation & Planning

We review goals, donor sites, and areas of need through volume mapping. Fat grafting is often combined with facelift, neck lift, or blepharoplasty for comprehensive rejuvenation.

Technical Aspects

  • Harvest: Gentle, low-pressure liposuction from a discreet donor site
  • Processing: Purification and preparation into microfat/nanofat as indicated
  • Layered Injection: Microdroplets for even survival.
  • Nano-Fat: For skin texture in delicate areas.

Day of Procedure

Often 1-2 hours when performed alone. Small adhesive dressings at access sites; a soft garment for the donor area may be used. Home right away.

Recovery Timeline

Days
1–2
Bruising at donor/injection
~3–5
Days
Makeup covers; light activity
1–2
Weeks
Social full
4
Weeks
Exercise
3–6
Months
Volume stabilizes

Pain & Comfort

Minimal; like filler soreness.

Frequently Asked Question