As we age, volume and fullness in the face gradually start to deplete with the natural decline of collagen and elastin production. The effects of age-related volume loss can be a thin, flat, or sunken look in certain features, which often obscures a patient’s youthful facial angles. While dermal fillers can provide a sophisticated and subtle improvement in facial volume, fat grafting to the face may offer a more enduring and natural-looking method of facial rejuvenation.
Commonly known as “fat transfer,” facial fat grafting is designed to use excess fat cells from another region of the body — often the thighs, hips, or abdomen — as a natural filler to correct volume loss in the face. This technique can not only treat signs of aging, but also provides body sculpting benefits in the location of the “donor” site(s). Dr. Ira Savetsky, our NYC aesthetic plastic surgeon, can help you reclaim your youthful facial contours and replenish lost volume with personalized facial fat transfer techniques.
- Fat Transfer Benefits
- Fat Transfer Candidates
- Fat Transfer Procedure
- Fat Transfer Recovery
- Fat Transfer Results
- Fat Transfer Cost
- Fat Transfer Scars
What Signs of Aging Can Facial Fat Transfer Improve?
If your facial features look depleted or aged due to a gradual loss of volume, facial fat grafting can restore a fuller look without sacrificing the natural character of your face. Rather than augment the face with facial implants, fat transfer to the face acts as a “natural filler” to plump thin or sunken areas of the face. Depending on which areas you’d like to improve, facial fat transfer can enhance volume in the:
- Cheeks
- Temples
- Lips
- Jawline
- Nasolabial folds
- Under-eye hollows
By carefully injecting your own natural cells, fat grafting can provide long-term rejuvenation of lost facial volume without the risk of an allergic reaction. For patients affected by dynamic wrinkles and fine lines in addition to volume loss, Dr. Savetsky can also speak with you about incorporating non-surgical BOTOX® Cosmetic injections into your treatment plan.
Is Facial Fat Grafting Right for Me
Unlike a facelift and neck lift, which are designed to treat excess skin and jowls in the lower face, facial fat transfer is designed to address age-related volume loss. The procedure can restore youthful volume in areas of the face lacking fullness, such as the mid-face, cheeks, temples, and nasolabial folds, among other regions. Generally speaking, patients interested in facial fat transfer should be:
- Interested in replenishing facial volume with more natural results than dermal fillers
- Healthy and a non-smoker with no unmanaged medical conditions
- Well-informed of the potential benefits, risks, and stages of surgery
- Able to maintain realistic expectations for the final outcome
Facial fat grafting is most successful for individuals who are good candidates for surgery. During your consultation with our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Ira Savetsky will be able to evaluate your needs and confirm whether fat transfer is the best approach to achieve your goals. He can also show you before-and-after photos from previous fat transfer patients to give you an idea of the potential results.
How is the Facial Fat Transfer Procedure Performed?
The procedure is performed by collecting excess tissue from a fat-rich region of the body — such as the abdomen, flanks, or thighs — through liposuction. As an adjunctive benefit, the “donor area” from which fat was harvested can also be contoured as part of the fat transfer process. The gathered fat is then purified and prepared for injection into volume-depleted areas of the face. This not only restores lost volume, but also works to soften facial angles, fill in creases, and improve scarring.
Facial fat transfer can be performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia. Using a syringe, Dr. Savetsky will carefully transfer the fat cells in a grid-like fashion to ensure symmetrical and comprehensive enhancement. The entire process can be completed in approximately one hour, with patients often resuming normal activities in three to seven days.
What Can I Expect From Recovery After Facial Fat Transfer?
Following the facial fat transfer procedure, patients can expect some degree of swelling, bruising, and soreness. The recovery period is typically described as tolerable in comparison to other cosmetic surgeries and any discomfort can be managed well with over-the-counter pain medications. Most patients are able to return to work within three to seven days depending on the nature of your job. Exercise and strenuous activities should be avoided for at least four weeks, or until Dr. Savetsky instructs otherwise. Swelling at the harvesting site(s) can also be reduced by wearing compression garments for the amount of time prescribed by Dr. Savetsky.
How Long Do Fat Transfer Results Last?
Fat grafting to the face uniquely offers long-lasting results that surpass the outcomes typical of cosmetic injectable products. While fillers on the market typically require touch-up treatments to maintain the volume enhancement achieved, using your own natural fat for facial rejuvenation often allows your results to endure well into the future. It’s important to note that no treatment can stop the natural aging process — facial fat transfer simply gives patients the opportunity to slow down premature facial aging and age more gracefully. That said, there are many measures you can take to maximize the results of your fat grafting treatment:
- Apply high-quality, medical-grade skincare products to maintain skin health
- Avoid smoking, excessive alcohol, and unprotected sun exposure to optimize the tone and texture of your skin
Undergo non-surgical skin rejuvenation treatments like facials, peels, and microneedling
How Much Does Facial Fat Transfer Cost?
The cost of facial fat grafting generally includes the standard expenses associated with a surgical procedure, such as fees for anesthesia, the operating facility, etc. In New York City, facial fat transfer generally ranges from $5,000 to $15,000 depending on factors unique to each person’s treatment plan, such as:
- The extent of your concerns
- The amount of fat transferred
- The technique(s) utilized to achieve your goals
- The complexity of your treatment plan
At our practice, Dr. Savetsky also accepts plastic surgery financing via CareCredit® for qualified patients who want to pay for their treatment in smaller installments over time. Please don’t hesitate to call our office at (212) 300-9863 for more information about the cost of facial fat transfer, or to learn more about our facial plastic surgery procedures.
Will I Have Noticeable Fat Grafting Scars?
No, there is usually no detectable facial scarring after fat transfer and any evidence of surgery is often minimal. Dr. Savetsky pays close attention to incision placement and uses his experience to ensure injections take place in discreet locations, allowing inconspicuous and natural-looking results. While there may be a short scar from liposuction performed at the harvesting site(s), these incisions are placed in the natural folds and curves of the body whenever possible. Rest assured that Dr. Savetsky will let you know exactly what you can expect from scarring during your consultation so you’re well-informed of the outcome. Brightening creams and scar-lightening products can also further reduce the appearance of scarring in treated areas, if necessary.
Dr. Ira Savetsky can skillfully rejuvenate your facial features with effective fat transfer techniques. To learn more about how you may benefit from fat grafting to the face, please contact our New York City practice for additional information about our services.