Real Patient Results How much does it cost? Book a Consultation Read our FAQs
Woollahra Sydney . Wollongong NSW
What is Facial Fat Grafting?
Facial Fat Grafting is a commonly performed technique that aims to address the contours of the face. The surgeon harvests your body’s own fat using liposuction and then injects it to fill different areas of your face. Fat injected into the face is permanent, and the results tend to be long-lasting.
Other names for facial fat grafting include:
- Autologous fat transfer
- Facial fat injections
- Autologous fat grafting
- Nanofat injections
- Microfat injections
Facial fat injections are an alternative option for those who want to avoid fillers or anti-wrinkle injections.
The procedure requires surgical experience, otherwise, the risk of the graft shrinking is increased. Dr Hunt and Dr Maryam use purifying techniques to make sure that most of the fat cells injected into the face are retained.
Why Patients Might Consider Facial Fat Grafting?
When it comes to facial procedures, there are several options to choose from. Dermal fillers, facial implants, anti-wrinkle injections, facial fat transfer, and a facelift surgery are all available options.
Patients might consider facial fat grafting for a number of different reasons. Some of these include:
- To contour the face without foreign materials (i.e. without fillers)
- To address cheek and temple volume
- Is starting to notice signs of facial ageing with predominant volume loss
- Wants to address other areas of the body with liposuction (donor areas)
Facial fat transfer may be performed on adult patients of any age (over 18 years).
Features of Facial Fat Grafting
There are a number of reasons in which patients might consider undergoing eyelid surgery (Blepharoplasty), such as:
- Longer-lasting results– fat transfer to the face generally provides longer lasting outcomes when compared to non-surgical options like dermal filler and anti-wrinle injections.
- Natural – it uses your own fat to perk up the face. No foreign materials are injected
- The procedure takes about 30 minutes to perform
- Recovery after facial fat injections can take a few days and up to a few weeks
One of the disadvantages of facial fat transfer is that up to 30% or 40% of the fat volume might be lost within a year, however, a second injection may help to get the volume.
How is Facial Fat Grafting Performed
Facial fat grafting is usually done under a local anaesthetic. This means that you will be awake during the procedure. It’s a one-day surgery, so you won’t spend the night at the hospital. It includes 3 main parts:
Fat harvesting (liposuction)
Fat harvesting (liposuction) – First, your surgeon will inject saline and local anaesthetic in the target (donor) areas. This numbs the sensation in these areas and loosens the fat from the overlying skin. Then, using a liposuction catheter, the fat cells will be removed from under the skin. The liposuction catheter is a hollow metallic rod connected to a suction machine. Liposuction is done to tone the donor areas – thighs, abdomen, hips, buttocks, etc. Liposuction does not involve any permanent noticeable scars. It’s done through very small skin incisions that usually heal very well.
Fat purification
Fat purification – The harvested fat is then purified in a special machine. Debris, blood, and water are removed from the fat samples. The result is pure fat cells that are better able to retain their volume.
Facial injections
Facial injections – The purified fat is then injected into the areas of the face using a needle. Dr Hunt or Dr Maryam will target the areas with marked volume loss while being mindful of facial symmetry and proportions.
Recovery after Facial Fat Grafting
Recovery after fat injections to the face is generally not too demanding. The liposuction part of the procedure takes the highest toll on the body, requiring rest and mild pain killers.
You will experience some swelling, bruising, and pain in both the donor and recipient areas. These will peak by 3-4 days and then gradually fade out over the coming 3-4 weeks. By 6 weeks, you should be fully recovered.
When recovering from facial fat injections, you should be careful not to forcefully rub your face or press the treated areas. This can ruin the results. Moreover, make sure you wear a compression garment over the donor areas (the liposuction donor area). Compression garments help reduce swelling and prevent seroma formation.
