Fat Transfer to the Face

While wrinkles and lines are clear indicators of aging, facial fat that provides volume and fullness to the face can decline over time, giving you a tired and sunken appearance. Fat transfer harvests fat from your thighs, buttocks, or abdomen and injects it into your face for a smooth, natural appearance. Dr. O’Neil’s fat transfer is a minimally invasive procedure that will help soften facial contours and restore youthfulness.

What Does Fat Transfer Treat?

• Jowls
• Creases
• Temples
• Folds
• Hollow cheeks
• Under-eye bags

Procedure

Your fat transfer is performed on an outpatient basis using local anesthesia. Dr. O’Neil will gently remove between 10 and 20 cc of excess fat from certain areas of your body using liposuction. Once harvested, Dr. O’Neil will then purify the fat and carefully inject it into your face. Most fat transfer procedures can be performed within a few hours. For more drastic results, patients can also request combining their treatment with facelift surgery.

Benefits

Fat transfer is both long lasting and safe, presenting minimal risk of infection and no risk of immune system response or rejection. This is because the material being used derives from the patient’s body, which also allows for no instances of an allergic reaction.

Recovery

You will be able to return home on the day of your procedure. Since a small portion of fat is removed from certain parts of your body, your recovery time can take up to two weeks, during which time you may experience swelling, redness, or soreness. These symptoms generally subside within one to two weeks. You will be able to return to work in a few days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect from my fat transfer results?

You will begin to see results almost immediately after your fat transfer procedure, and your face will exhibit a fuller, more youthful and natural appearance.

Are there possible risks or side effects that come with fat transfer?

Fat transfer is a safe procedure that involves little to no risks. Mild bruising and swelling may occur after your procedure but will resolve within two weeks.

What is the difference between fat transfer and facial fillers?

Fat transfer usually lasts much longer than artificial fillers, such as Sculptra® Aesthetic, Restylane®, and JUVÉDERM®. Temporary fillers can last up to one year, while fat transfer is typically permanent.