One of the most pronounced signs of facial aging observed by our Wichita plastic surgeon, Dr. James M. Shaw, is volume loss. As facial volume naturally diminishes, the mid-face can begin to look flat, sunken, or aged. This is primarily due to a loss of fat under the skin, which is a normal part of the natural aging process and unavoidable. There may also be smaller changes due to thinning of the skin, muscles, and even the bones. Fat grafting, also known as “fat transfer,” can help significantly.
Facial fat transfer refers to the process of using excess fat found elsewhere on the body for facial rejuvenation purposes. Using a patient’s own fat to replace lost volume, fat grafting reintroduces living cells that survive the transfer process into flat or sunken areas of the face, creating long-lasting results. Naturally-occurring stem cells are also transferred along with the fat. There is increasing evidence that these stem cells can improve the overlying skin and surrounding tissues.
What is Fat Transfer?
Fat transfer is a procedure designed to harvest fat cells from a fat-rich area of the body and re-inject them into the face, replenishing lost volume. Since this facial plastic surgery uses a patient’s own tissue, results tend to last longer than fillers and other cosmetic injectables.
Fat grafting has been an option for 30 or 40 years. Today’s techniques for fat removal and injection have greatly improved since the inception of the technique. The predictability and reliability of achieving a patient’s desired results is very high. That said, there are two groups of patients that may have less than optimal results — those who are elderly and underweight. Dr. Shaw will carefully evaluate your medical history and aesthetic goals to determine whether you would benefit from fat grafting.
There is not really a limit to where fat can be placed. The most common areas include the tear troughs of the lower eyelids, cheeks, temples and jawline. Non-facial areas include the backs of the hands, buttocks, and breasts.
What are the Benefits of Fat Transfer?
Fat transfer to the face can be an excellent way to add fullness and achieve younger-looking facial contours. As one of the most effective facial rejuvenation treatments available, this procedure is performed in an outpatient setting and the potential benefits may include:
- Transferred fat cells that survive generally stay forever, allowing long-lasting results
- Corrects age-related volume loss, slowing down the effects of the aging process
- Undetectable scarring since incisions are not made during the procedure
- Uses your own natural tissue, so there is virtually no risk of an allergic reaction
- Allows dual body contouring at the same time as facial rejuvenation since liposuction is used to harvest excess fat
Replacing volume in the face can also be accomplished with injectable products such as JUVÉDERM®, Voluma®, Lipoderma and Renuva for patients seeking a non-surgical solution. These fillers are available in a variety of formulations with slightly different uses.
Is Fat Grafting Right for Me?
Fat grafting can achieve beautiful results for both men and women who believe the effects of aging are causing a sunken, flat, or older appearance. While a consultation with Dr. Shaw can confirm whether fat transfer is the most effective treatment to attain your desired results, fat injections are usually most successful for patients who are:
- Showing signs of volume loss in the face, hands, breasts, and other treatment areas
- In good health with no unmanaged medical conditions
- Non-smokers or willing to quit smoking to encourage proper blood flow and increase the chances of fat survival
- Well-educated on the different aspects of the procedure and able to maintain realistic expectations for surgery
The fat transfer process also includes a liposuction component, so it’s important for individuals interested in the procedure to be good candidates for fat removal surgery as well. Dr. Shaw will listen carefully to your goals, needs, and concerns to determine the best facial rejuvenation treatment for you.
Facial Fat Grafting vs. Fillers
Facial fat grafting and dermal fillers both restore volume and fullness to the face, but they differ in longevity and overall approach. Fat transfer uses the patient’s own purified fat — taken from areas such as the abdomen, thighs, or flanks — and injects the fat cells into areas of the face that have lost volume over time. In contrast, dermal fillers rely on synthetic materials like hyaluronic acid or calcium hydroxylapatite to plump and contour specific regions of the face.
One of the main advantages of fat grafting is its natural composition and long-lasting results. The transferred fat cells integrate with the surrounding tissue and develop their own blood supply, allowing a portion of the fat to become permanent. This offers subtle, natural rejuvenation that can last for many years. Fat grafting can also improve skin quality thanks to the regenerative properties of fat-derived stem cells.
Dermal fillers, on the other hand, are non-surgical and can provide instant results with minimal downtime. Cosmetic fillers can be ideal for patients who want a temporary enhancement, wish to “try out” facial volume changes before committing to surgery, or need quick touch-ups before a special event. However, fillers typically last 6 to 18 months, depending on the product used and the treated area, and will require ongoing maintenance treatments to preserve results. Ultimately, the best option depends on each patient’s goals, preferences for recovery time, and whether they aim for natural or temporary outcomes.
What Can I Expect During Recovery from Fat Injections
Some degree of bruising and swelling is to be expected. Often there is more bruising at the fat harvesting location than on the face. The treated areas will have some firmness for the first 10 to 14 days. This is when tiny blood vessels are being formed to provide nutrition to the recently transferred fat.
If a significant weight gain occurs following the procedure, the transferred fat can enlarge and create too much volume. This is not a common situation and weight reduction will allow the fat to return to the desired volume.
If the lips are treated, the swelling can be very dramatic. This is temporary and can take longer to resolve than other treated areas.
How Long Do Fat Transfer Results Last?
Thanks to the use of your own natural fat to rejuvenate your face, results from fat transfer tend to last much longer than the outcomes possible with non-surgical fillers. In general, the fat cells that survive the transfer process can stay forever. This can provide long-lasting volume enhancement with results that look natural and complementary to your features. While no treatment can stop the aging process, fat grafting can allow individuals with lost facial volume to age more gracefully.
How Much Does Facial Fat Transfer Cost?
The cost of facial fat transfer can vary depending on several factors, but overall costs in Wichita generally range from $5,000 to $10,000 or more. Since treatment plans for fat grafting are personalized, the cost of surgery is similarly tailored to a patient’s unique concerns and goals. Unlike injectable fillers that come pre-packaged and ready for use, fat transfer is a two-part procedure involving both liposuction (to harvest fat from another area of the body) and fat grafting to purify and deliver the fat into targeted areas of the face. That said, fat transfer tends to cost more than dermal fillers but offers the potential for longer-lasting, more natural results.
There are plastic surgery financing options available to make the cost of facial fat transfer more affordable for qualified patients. CareCredit® is a popular healthcare credit card designed to provide flexibility for patients who prefer to pay in low monthly installments. Short- and long-term payment plans can be chosen, as desired, to accommodate each person’s budgetary preferences. Don’t hesitate to call our office if you have any questions about facial plastic surgery costs or the financing process.
Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact Shaw Plastic Surgery if you have any questions, or if you’d like to discuss the fat transfer procedure in a private consultation.