Facial fat transfer, also known as fat grafting, is a cosmetic enhancement procedure that offers a beautifully natural solution to common concerns affecting facial aesthetics. Over time, the natural contours of the face can change. Volume loss in the cheeks, temples, or under the eyes can create a tired or aged appearance, even in otherwise healthy skin. By using your own fat, this procedure can restore youthful fullness, soften lines, and improve facial balance without the need for synthetic dermal fillers. Our board-certified facial plastic surgeon in Zionsville, Dr. Emily Hrisomalos, can talk with you about your goals and help you determine whether facial fat transfer is the right option for your aesthetic needs.
Facial Fat Transfer At a Glance
- Potential Benefits:
- Restoration of youthful facial contours; softening of deep folds and creases; improvement of under-eye hollows; enhancement of facial harmony; and natural, long-lasting results using fat cells carefully harvested from another body area.
- Ideal Candidates:
- Healthy adults experiencing facial volume loss or signs of aging who have sufficient donor fat in another region of the body for harvesting. Only a small amount of fat is required, so it is exceptionally rare that a patient is not a candidate for fat transfer.
- Procedure Overview:
- Fat is gently removed via liposuction from a donor area such as the abdomen or thighs, purified, smoothed out, and strategically injected into targeted facial zones with a small cannula or blunt needle to restore volume and refine contours.
- Recovery Timeline:
- Swelling and bruising typically subside within one to two weeks.
- Surgeon’s Experience:
- Dr. Emily Hrisomalos is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon with extensive training and experience in advanced fat transfer techniques. She customizes all treatment plans with the goal of providing results that are precise, balanced, and natural-looking.
What Is Facial Fat Transfer?
Facial fat transfer is a minimally invasive procedure designed to restore volume and enhance facial contours using a patient’s own fat. The fat is typically taken from areas such as the abdomen, flanks, or thighs via liposuction, then purified, smoothed out, and re-injected into targeted facial zones. This can be turned into microfat or nanofat based on the area being treated and desired consistency of the fat for injection. Because the transferred fat comes from your own body, the risk of allergic reaction or rejection is eliminated. Additionally, fat contains several beneficial growth factors that may improve skin texture and quality over time. Many patients choose fat transfer as a longer-lasting alternative to dermal fillers.
What Areas Can Fat Grafting Treat?
Facial fat transfer can address a variety of age- or weight loss-related changes, including:
- Sunken cheeks and temples
- Hollows beneath the eyes (tear troughs)
- Deep folds around the nose and mouth (nasolabial folds)
- “Marionette” lines under the corner of the lips along the chin
- Thinning lips
- Deficient jawline definition
- Depressions from acne scars or other irregularities
This procedure is also frequently performed alongside other facial rejuvenation treatments—such as facelift, eyelid surgery, or laser skin resurfacing—to achieve more comprehensive aesthetic renewal.
How Is Facial Fat Transfer Performed?
At Dr. Hrisomalos’s practice, each facial fat transfer begins with a detailed consultation to understand your goals and identify the most effective treatment plan. On the day of the procedure, fat is gently harvested from a donor site—often the abdomen, thighs, or flanks—using a small-cannula liposuction technique designed to minimize trauma to the fat cells. The harvested fat is then carefully purified to separate healthy fat cells from other fluids or tissue.
Once purified, the fat is meticulously injected into the targeted facial areas using micro-cannulas. Dr. Hrisomalos’s advanced technique places the fat in tiny, precise amounts in order to produce even distribution, natural contours, and optimal fat survival. The procedure is typically performed under sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the extent of treatment, other combined procedures, and your comfort preferences. Most facial fat transfer procedures are completed in about one hour.
What Can I Expect During Recovery from Facial Fat Grafting?
Following facial fat transfer, patients can expect some swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort in both the donor and injection sites. These effects are usually most noticeable in the first few days and should improve significantly within one to two weeks. Many patients return to work and normal activities after this initial healing period, although some residual swelling may take several weeks to fully resolve.
How Long Do Facial Fat Injection Results Last?
The longevity of facial fat transfer results is one of the reasons many patients choose this procedure over injectable fillers. While fillers generally last several months to a year, outcomes from facial fat transfer can last at least five years or even much longer in many cases. Maintaining a stable weight is important, as significant weight fluctuations can affect the volume of the transferred fat.
How Much Does Facial Fat Transfer Cost?
The price of facial fat transfer can vary significantly between patients based on the number of areas treated, the complexity of the procedure, anesthesia fees, and other factors. During your consultation, a member of our team will provide a personalized cost estimate and review available payment options and financing opportunities for qualified applicants that can make this advanced treatment as budget-friendly as possible.
Why Choose Dr. Emily Hrisomalos for Facial Fat Transfer?
Dr. Emily Hrisomalos is double board-certified in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. Her specialized expertise in facial anatomy and aesthetics allows her to approach facial fat transfer with artistry and precision. Every procedure is tailored to the individual, with a focus on creating results that look balanced, natural, and uniquely suited to each patient’s features. Patients appreciate her warm, attentive manner and her commitment to providing exceptional care from consultation through recovery.
Facial fat transfer is a versatile and natural option for restoring youthful volume and softening signs of aging. By using your own fat, it is capable of producing results that feel authentic, last for years, and enhance your facial harmony without synthetic materials. Under the care of Dr. Emily Hrisomalos, you can expect a highly personalized experience and results that reflect her skill, training, and dedication to helping you look and feel your best.
Contact Us
If you have questions about facial fat transfer, or if you would like to schedule a consultation, please contact us today.