Facial Fat Transfer

Facial Fat Injections can correct loss of facial volume

Facial fat transfer, also known as autologous fat grafting, is a procedure that reshapes the face and adds fullness to the cheeks using the patient’s own fat. This method serves as a more natural option compared to synthetic dermal fillers and wrinkle-reducing injections.

As the ageing process progresses, the fat deposits that provide facial volume and liveliness begin to diminish. This results in a deflated, gaunt, and delicate facial appearance. In order to regain a youthful look, it is essential to replenish the lost volume.

Fat injections for facial revitalisation are an exceptional means of achieving a natural-looking restoration. Fat is harvested through liposuction from areas of the body with excess fat (such as love handles) and then processed to create micro-fat suitable for facial grafting. This not only enhances facial volume but also sculpts and firms other body regions.

At the Centre for Surgery, we are a specialist plastic surgery clinic offering autologous fat grafting for facial revitalisation to patients throughout London and the UK. Our skilled surgeons utilise fat injections to smooth out wrinkles and replenish volume in various facial areas, including the nose, chin, cheekbones, cheeks, jawline, and around the eyes.

Advantages of fat transfer to face compared with dermal fillers

• Facial fat transfer makes use of your own fat for injection. Dermal fillers use hyaluronic acid
• The fat injections technique does not carry the risk of an allergic reaction compared with soft tissue fillers
• The results achieved from fat injections last much longer compared to cosmetic injectables

Facial Fat Transfer is a popular facial rejuvenation technique that reshapes the face and reestablishes liveliness using your own body fat. The surgeon extracts your body fat through liposuction and subsequently injects it to enhance the cheeks and fill various facial areas. The fat injected into the face is permanent, leading to enduring results.

Alternative terms for facial fat grafting include:

1. Autologous fat transfer
2. Fat injections for facial rejuvenation
3. Lipostructure
4. Fat grafting to the face
5. Facial lipofilling
6. Facial volume restoration with fat
7. Facial adipose transplantation
8. Self-donated fat grafting for facial enhancement

These terms all refer to the procedure of harvesting fat from one part of the body, purifying it, and then injecting it into the face to restore volume, enhance contours, and improve overall facial appearance.

Facial fat injections present a more organic approach to augmenting facial volume in the cheeks and defining the chin and jawline. As a result, they are an appealing choice for those who prefer to avoid synthetic fillers or wrinkle-reducing injections.

Though the procedure appears straightforward, it necessitates significant surgical expertise to achieve the best possible outcomes. Inadequate execution may raise the likelihood of graft shrinkage. Our surgeons employ state-of-the-art purification methods to ensure the majority of fat cells injected into the face are preserved.

Facial fat grafting is a popular cosmetic procedure that offers a range of benefits for individuals seeking facial rejuvenation and enhancement. It involves the transfer of fat from one part of the body (donor site) to the face to restore volume, improve contours, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Below are several key benefits of facial fat grafting, which contribute to its growing popularity among patients and surgeons alike:

• Natural and biocompatible material: One of the primary advantages of facial fat grafting is the use of your own body fat, which eliminates the risk of an allergic reaction or rejection. The autologous fat is biocompatible and naturally integrates with your existing facial tissues, resulting in a more organic and harmonious appearance.
• Long-lasting results: Unlike temporary dermal fillers, facial fat grafting can provide more enduring results. Once the transferred fat cells establish a blood supply and integrate into the recipient site, the outcome can be long-lasting, with many patients enjoying the benefits for years.
• Minimally invasive: Facial fat grafting is a minimally invasive procedure compared to traditional facelift surgery. It involves small incisions for liposuction and fat injection, resulting in reduced scarring and a shorter recovery period.
• Dual benefits: The procedure not only enhances your facial appearance but also contours the donor site where the fat is harvested. This can lead to improved body proportions, as areas such as the abdomen, thighs, or love handles may appear more toned and sculpted.
• Versatile application: Facial fat grafting can address various concerns and can be used in different areas of the face, including the cheeks, temples, under-eye hollows, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, chin, and jawline. It can restore volume, improve facial symmetry, and create a more youthful, rejuvenated appearance.
• Reduced risk of complications: Since the procedure uses your own body fat, there is a decreased likelihood of complications, such as allergic reactions, infections, or the formation of lumps and granulomas, which can sometimes occur with synthetic dermal fillers.
• Natural-looking results: Facial fat grafting can achieve subtle and natural-looking improvements, avoiding an overdone or artificial appearance that may result from the excessive use of synthetic fillers or invasive surgical procedures.

RELATED: Facial Fat Transfer vs Fillers

• Boost in self-confidence: An enhanced facial appearance can have a significant positive impact on your self-esteem and confidence. Many patients report feeling more comfortable and satisfied with their appearance following facial fat grafting.
• Customisable treatment: The procedure can be tailored to address each patient’s unique concerns and aesthetic goals, allowing for personalized results that enhance the individual’s natural features.
• Complementary to other procedures: Facial fat grafting can be performed alongside other cosmetic procedures, such as facelifts, neck lifts, or eyelid surgery, to optimise overall facial rejuvenation and achieve a balanced, harmonious outcome.

The facial fat transfer procedure, also known as autologous fat grafting, is a multi-step process that involves harvesting fat from one part of the body, purifying it, and then injecting it into the face to restore volume and improve contours. Here is a detailed description of the procedure:

• Pre-operative preparation: In the days or weeks leading up to your surgery, your surgeon will provide you with pre-operative instructions. This may include stopping certain medications, avoiding smoking, and arranging for transportation and aftercare.
• Anesthesia: The facial fat transfer procedure is typically performed under local anaesthesia with sedation or general anaesthesia, depending on the extent of the surgery and the patient’s preferences. Your surgeon will discuss the most appropriate anaesthesia option for you during the consultation.
• Fat harvesting: The first step of the procedure involves liposuction to harvest fat from a donor site on your body, such as the abdomen, thighs, or love handles. The surgeon will make a small incision in the donor area and insert a thin, hollow tube called a cannula to loosen and suction out the fat.
• Fat purification: Once the fat has been harvested, it undergoes a purification process to separate the viable fat cells from any impurities, such as blood, oil, and damaged cells. This step typically involves centrifugation, filtration, or washing, depending on the surgeon’s preferred method.
• Fat injection: After the fat has been purified, the surgeon will use a syringe and a small, blunt-tipped cannula to meticulously inject the fat into the target areas of your face. The fat is usually injected in small, even layers to create a smooth, natural-looking result. Multiple injection points may be used to ensure proper distribution and integration of the fat.

• Closing incisions: Once the desired volume and contour have been achieved, the surgeon will close any incisions with sutures or surgical tape. In most cases, the incisions are tiny and result in minimal scarring.
• Postoperative care: After the procedure, you will be monitored in the recovery area until you are ready to go home. Your surgeon will provide you with post-operative care instructions, which may include wearing a compression garment on the donor site, taking prescribed medications, and attending follow-up appointments.

Following your surgery, you can expect some swelling and bruising which will fade away within a few days. Pain medication can be taken to ease any discomfort.

You may be given antibiotics to take during the recovery period. This will help to lower your risk of any infections occurring.

You will see the result almost immediately after the swelling has gone down. However, it may appear as if too much fat has been transferred, and at first, the results may appear swollen. This is because a certain percentage of the fat will naturally be absorbed by the body. It may take a few months for final results to be noticeable. 

You can return to work after a day or two after your surgery, but strenuous activities must be avoided for at least two weeks.

The result achieved from the fat injections procedure can last a long time as long as good aftercare routine is followed. You may wish to return for a smaller top-up procedure if the volume of the face has not increased enough, or too much fat was absorbed by the body. 

There are a number of potential risks associated with fat injections. At the consultation, your surgeon will always take time to fully discuss the risks and complications associated with fat injections. All risks need to be outlined regardless of how rare they are. By choosing Centre for Surgery for your facial fat injections procedure, you can be confident in having highly experienced and expert surgeons to perform your procedure.

Facial fat transfer is often combined with other surgical or non-surgical procedures to enhance overall facial rejuvenation and achieve a more balanced, harmonious outcome. Some commonly combined procedures include:

1. Facelift (Rhytidectomy): A facelift is often combined with facial fat transfer to address sagging skin, tighten underlying facial muscles, and restore volume for a more youthful and refreshed appearance.
2. Neck lift (Platysmaplasty): A neck lift can be performed alongside facial fat transfer to address sagging skin, muscle laxity, and excess fat in the neck area. This combination provides a more comprehensive rejuvenation of the lower face and neck.
3. Blepharoplasty (Eyelid surgery): Eyelid surgery can be combined with facial fat transfer to improve the appearance of the upper and/or lower eyelids. This can help to address sagging or drooping eyelids, under-eye bags, and hollows in the tear trough area.
4. Brow lift (Forehead lift): A brow lift can elevate the eyebrows and smooth forehead wrinkles. When combined with facial fat transfer, it can enhance the overall rejuvenation of the upper face and create a more alert, youthful appearance.
5. Rhinoplasty (Nose surgery): Rhinoplasty can be performed in conjunction with facial fat transfer to improve the size, shape, and overall appearance of the nose while simultaneously enhancing facial harmony and balance.
6. Chin augmentation: Facial fat transfer can be combined with chin augmentation (using implants or fat grafting) to improve the proportions and contours of the chin, creating a more balanced facial profile.
7. Laser skin resurfacing or chemical peels: These non-surgical skin treatments can be combined with facial fat transfer to address skin texture, fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation issues, resulting in a more even and youthful skin tone.
8. Dermal fillers or Anti wrinkle injections: In some cases, dermal fillers or wrinkle relaxing injections may be used in combination with facial fat transfer to address specific areas of concern, such as fine lines, wrinkles, or volume loss not fully addressed by fat grafting alone.

1. Over 15 years of experience with all types of face fat transfer surgery – macro fat, micro fat and nano fat grafting
2. We regularly receive patients from overseas at our facial plastic surgery specialist centre.
3. We own and manage our own surgical facilities.

Trust a facial plastic surgeon for face fat transfer

A facial plastic surgeon is trained to undertake aesthetic surgical procedures in the facial region, including fat transfer to the face. They are dedicated face sub-specialists. Compared with general plastic surgeons, facial plastic surgeons are inherently better trained to perform delicate procedures in the eye region. The extra years of surgical training by facial specialists focused on the facial region results in an exceptionally high degree of skill. Fat transfer surgery is highly intricate, and our surgeons are highly experienced to undertake surgery in the face region.

Our surgeons are full members of:

What is included in my treatment package?

• As many preoperative consultations with your surgeon as you like to make sure the procedure is right for you
• Treatment at a specialist day surgery facility recently rated ‘Good’ by the CQC
• Enhanced same-day discharge with the added benefits of recovering in your own home
• 24/7 clinical support from your surgeon for the first 48 hours and our expert postoperative support team
• Your very own dedicated patient coordinator
• In-depth preoperative medical assessment to make sure you are fully fit for the rhinoplasty procedure
• Exceptionally high standards of postoperative care are described as ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, with regular telephone and face-to-face checks by our expert postoperative support team.

RealSelf Top Doctors

RealSelf’s top doctor status is awarded to less than 10% of the RealSelf doctor community.  This status is earned by achieving consistently high patient satisfaction (from RealSelf reviews), getting excellent feedback on expert answers to patient questions, and investing significant time in Q&A and other doctor activities. RealSelf’s top doctors are rated among the best surgeons in the United Kingdom.

Why choose Centre for Surgery?

• Experienced and Skilled Surgeons – Our team consists of highly qualified and experienced surgeons who specialise in various cosmetic and medical procedures. Their expertise ensures that you receive personalised care and the best possible results.
• State-of-the-Art Facilities – Centre for Surgery boasts modern, state-of-the-art facilities designed to provide a comfortable and safe environment for your procedure. Our advanced equipment and technologies ensure the highest standards of care.
• Personalised Care and Attention – We pride ourselves on offering personalised care and attention to each patient. Our dedicated staff and surgeons work closely with you to understand your goals and develop a tailored treatment plan that meets your individual needs.
• Comprehensive Consultation Process – Our comprehensive consultation process ensures that you have a thorough understanding of the procedure, risks, and expected outcomes. We prioritise patient education and open communication, helping you make informed decisions about your treatment.
• Focus on Patient Safety and Satisfaction – At Centre for Surgery, patient safety and satisfaction are our top priorities. We follow strict safety protocols and adhere to the highest medical standards, ensuring a safe and positive experience for our patients.
• Aftercare and Support – We provide exceptional aftercare and support throughout your recovery process. Our team is always available to answer any questions or address concerns, making sure you feel comfortable and well-informed during your healing journey.
• Transparent Pricing and Financing Options – We offer transparent pricing and a range of financing options to help make your desired procedure more affordable. Our team can guide you through the available payment plans, ensuring you can confidently invest in your well-being.

Choosing Centre for Surgery means you are selecting a top plastic surgery clinic committed to providing the highest quality care, personalised attention, and exceptional results. Our dedicated team is here to support you every step of the way, ensuring a safe and satisfying experience from consultation to recovery.

Essential Steps to Take Before Your Consultation

Conduct Thorough Research

• Read a procedure guide to gain further insight into your surgery
• Visit our website to learn more about the specific procedure you’re interested in

Is a Medical Referral Necessary for a Consultation at Our Clinic?

• A medical referral is helpful, but not required, for purely cosmetic consultations.
• If you seek a consultation for medical reasons and have private insurance, please obtain a referral from your GP or specialist.

Maximising the Benefits of Your Consultation

• Arrive a little early for your in-person consultation
• Feel free to bring a friend or family member to assist you in processing information and discussing your options
• Be prepared to undress for a physical examination; wear simple clothing
• Take detailed notes during the consultation and carefully review all provided documents

Seeking More Information Before Scheduling a Consultation?

• Learn more about pricing, medical payment plans, and financing your surgery.
• Request additional information about the procedure – call or contact us

Booking Your Consultation

• Secure your initial consultation by prepaying the £100 cosmetic consultation fee when scheduling your appointment.

ARRANGE A PHONE CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION

• To arrange a surgeon consultation at our Baker Street clinic, contact us or call on 0207 993 4849

For more information, email us: contact@centreforsurgery.com