A facelift addresses the structural changes that come with facial ageing by repositioning tissue that has shifted and treating laxity in the lower face and neck, but it does not address facial volume, which can also change over time as fat reduces in certain areas. These volume changes can affect facial shape in ways that a facelift alone may not fully address, which is why fat grafting may also be considered as part of the treatment plan. For patients looking into facelift fat grafting Sydney, this article explains what the combination involves, why it may be considered, and what patients can expect.
Why Volume Loss Is a Key Part of Facial Ageing
Facial ageing is not only about changes in the skin and deeper support structures. Over time, fat in areas such as the temples, cheeks, under-eye area, and lips can also reduce, and this can change the shape of the face. As a result, some areas may look different even when skin laxity is also present.
A facelift addresses tissue movement and laxity, but it does not replace volume in areas where fat has reduced over time. When volume loss is part of the concern, a facelift alone may not address all of the changes. In these cases, fat grafting may also be considered to add volume to selected areas.
What Is Fat Grafting (Autologous Fat Transfer)?
Fat grafting, also called autologous fat transfer, involves taking fat from your own body and placing it into areas of the face where volume has reduced over time. Because the fat comes from your own tissue, no synthetic material is used.
The fat is usually taken from an area such as the abdomen or thighs using a gentle suction method. It is then prepared so the fat cells can be placed into the face in small amounts and at different levels of the tissue. This careful placement is used to support how the transferred fat settles into the area over time.
Why Combine Fat Grafting with a Facelift?
A facelift and fat grafting address different aspects of facial ageing. A facelift works on the structural layer by repositioning tissue and addressing laxity, while fat grafting addresses areas where facial volume has reduced over time. When both types of change are present, treating only one may not address all of the concerns.
There is also a practical reason to consider both at the same time. Having fat grafting and a facelift together means one anaesthetic and one recovery period, rather than planning two separate procedures at different times. Whether this approach is suitable depends on the areas being treated and the individual surgical plan.
Which Areas Are Treated with Fat Grafting in a Facelift?
The areas where fat grafting may be considered alongside a facelift include:
- Temples: Volume loss in this area can change the shape of the upper face at the sides.
- Under-eye area: Volume changes here can affect how the area beneath the eyes looks.
- Mid-cheeks: Volume loss through the cheeks can change the shape of the mid-face.
- Nasolabial folds: Fat grafting may be considered in areas where lines from the nose to the corners of the mouth have become more noticeable.
- Lips and around the mouth: This area can also change over time as facial volume reduces.
- Jawline: Fat grafting may be used in selected cases where volume changes have affected the jawline.
The specific areas addressed will depend on where volume loss is present and what is being discussed during the consultation for facial fat grafting Sydney.
What to Expect: Recovery and Results
Because fat grafting is performed at the same time as the facelift, both procedures are included in the same recovery period. Swelling after fat grafting can be more noticeable in the early weeks, and this is expected. Some of the transferred fat will not remain long-term, which is a normal part of the process. To allow for this, a slightly larger amount of fat is often placed at the time of surgery than the amount expected to remain.
Long-term fat survival after facial fat grafting is generally estimated at around 50 to 70 percent, though this can vary from patient to patient depending on factors such as how the fat was processed, where it was placed, and individual healing. The final result from fat grafting takes time to settle, and a clear picture of the outcome is not visible until around three to six months after surgery, once swelling has resolved, and the surviving fat has integrated.
Am I a Good Candidate?
Fat grafting alongside a facelift may be considered when facial volume loss is present, as well as the tissue changes a facelift addresses. It may also be considered for patients who have had a previous facelift and have changes in facial volume that affect the overall appearance, where adding volume to certain areas may be helpful.
Suitability depends on your individual anatomy, the areas of concern, and your overall health. Dr Hunt will assess these factors during consultation and discuss whether a facelift with fat transfer may be appropriate for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does fat grafting last longer than facial volume treatment?
Fat grafting uses your own tissue, and the fat that remains after transfer is generally considered long-lasting. Facial volume treatment is temporary and is gradually broken down by the body over time. The more suitable option depends on the degree of volume loss, the areas being treated, and your overall treatment goals.
Can I have fat grafting without a facelift?
Yes. Fat grafting can be performed as a standalone procedure when volume loss is the main concern and the structural changes are not significant enough for a facelift to be considered. During consultation, Dr Hunt will discuss whether fat grafting on its own, or in combination with other procedures, may be appropriate for your situation.
How much fat is typically placed in a facial fat graft?
The amount can vary depending on the areas being treated and how much facial volume has changed over time. Because some of the transferred fat may not remain long-term, more fat may be placed during surgery than the amount expected to remain later. Dr Hunt will discuss the approach that may be suitable for your anatomy during consultation.
Does fat grafting involve discomfort?
Fat grafting is performed under anaesthesia as part of the facelift procedure. After surgery, swelling and discomfort in the areas where fat was collected and placed can occur, especially in the first week or two. Pain relief is provided as part of post-operative care, and guidance is given on what to expect during recovery.
About Dr Hunt
Dr Jeremy Hunt is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon in Sydney, with over twenty years of experience in facial surgery. A Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS), he engages with prestigious organisations, such as the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS). His qualifications demonstrate a strong commitment to delivering high-quality surgical care, ensuring exceptional standards for all patients.
Further reading about facelift with Dr Hunt:
- What is a facelift (Rhytidectomy)?
- How much does facelift surgery cost in Sydney?
- How to prepare for face lift surgery?
- What questions to ask your surgeon before a facelift?
- Are there any age restrictions for facelift surgery?
- Does facelift surgery leave scars?
- What is a jowl lift (lower facelift)?
- What can you expect after facelift surgery (day by day)?
- How to reduce bruising and swelling after face lift surgery?
- How to sleep after facelift surgery?
- What should I know about the post-facelift facial massage?
- How to protect your face from the sun after facelift surgery?
- What should you not do after a facelift?
- What procedures can I combine with a facelift?
- How to prepare for a face lift consultation?
- How can lifestyle habits affect face lift results?
- What food to avoid during facelift recovery?
- Can I get a facelift during the summer season?
- What non-surgical treatments can help prolong the results of a facelift?
- Should I consider an upper, mid, or lower facelift?
- Microneedling after a facelift: Should I consider it?
- What is a male facelift, and how is it different from a female facelift?
- SMAS facelift vs deep plane facelift: Which is right for you?
- What Is a Revision Facelift, and When Should You Consider One?
- What is a ponytail facelift, and is it worth the hype?
Medical references about facelift: