Facial fat transfer is an exciting new procedure that allows us to volumetrically augment the face,
and restore its youthful, full contours. It is well documented that the process of aging involves
fat atrophy as well as descent of fat pads. Fat transfers can be performed to improve cheek fullness,
fill in facial hollows or depressions, restore volume to the eyelids, and refine the jawline.
During this outpatient procedure, local anesthetic and/or light sedation are used. Fat is then harvested
from an area of the body such as the abdomen, hips, or thighs. A very small cannula is used for the fat
transfer. Because the fat is not a foreign substance, it becomes incorporated as living tissue and
there is no risk of rejection. There is usually an initial two week period of mild bruising and swelling.
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Dr. Anurag Agarwal demonstrates fat injection in his office on a patient. He treats the temporal hollows, tear troughs and nasolabial folds.
Warning: Actual surgical video footage of facial volumization with fat injections. This video is graphic, and includes liposuction of fat from the love handles and fat injection into multiple areas of the face.
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How do I know if I am a candidate for fat transfer?
An individual consultation with one of our Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeons, Dr. Maloney or
Dr. Agarwal, is the best way to determine which procedure is best suited to meet your goals. During
this consultation, the surgeon will examine you, and computer imaging will be utilized to demonstrate
proposed changes to you.
How long is the recovery process?
Generally speaking, it takes two weeks for most of the swelling and any bruising to resolve. This can
vary from individual to individual. Make-up can be applied two days post-operatively.
How long do the results last?
30-60% of the injected fat lasts a few years. The remaining 40-70% is gone within two months. Longevity
depends on several factors, including: the area to be injected (fat tends to last longer in areas of least
mobility), quantity necessary for augmentation, the individual’s age and tissue quality, and exogenous factors
(i.e. smoking, etc.). The procedure is usually repeated as needed to add more volume.
What kind of anesthesia is utilized for fat transfer?
Fat injections can be done with either local anesthesia or twilight sedation. If you choose the former, it
can be done in the office. If you choose the latter, it is done at our accredited surgery center. During
twilight anesthesia, you will breathe on your own, but you will not remember anything. It is a quick acting
type of anesthesia that also wears off quickly. Because you are breathing spontaneously, an endotracheal
tube is usually not used.
Are there stitches and when are they removed?
Our facial plastic surgeons use fine, delicate sutures to close the microscopic incision that the fat is
harvested through by liposuction. There are no sutures on the face.
