Facial Fat Transfer

Facial fat transfer is a minimally invasive procedure, and most individuals feel only mild discomfort because local anesthesia or sedation is used during it. Some soreness and swelling may occur in both the donor and recipient areas, but this is manageable with prescribed pain medication. Most find that discomfort significantly decreases within the first few days, and overall, the procedure is well-tolerated. Most individuals return to normal activities within a week.

Facial fat transfer requires one surgical procedure and a series of follow-up appointments to monitor healing and results. Dr. Rivera will assess your needs during your initial consultation and determine the best approach and timeline. While the fat transfer is performed in a single session, some patients may opt for a touch-up procedure if additional volume is desired. Post-operative appointments will ensure that results progress as expected, but regular check-ins with Dr. Rivera will help maintain the long-term success of the results.

Some results can be seen immediately after the procedure, but swelling will get in the way. As it subsides over the following weeks, the newly transferred fat settles into place, and the full results become more apparent. Around 3 to 5 months post-procedure, patients will see their final, refined results. Since the body reabsorbs some of the transferred fat (normally 30%-70%), Dr. Rivera may initially slightly overfill the treated areas to account for this. The remaining fat that integrates successfully provides a natural, long-lasting enhancement.

Facelifts, eyelid surgery, or laser treatments are commonly paired with facial tar transfer to achieve a more intensive anti-aging effect. Many choose to do this because combining treatments can often provide a more balanced and harmonious result, addressing multiple signs of aging simultaneously while also minimizing downtime. Dr. Rivera will develop a treatment plan based on your aesthetic goals. During your consultation, he will discuss your best options and whether a combination approach is ideal.

Selling, bruising, infection, or uneven fat retention are some potential side effects of this procedure, although they are very rare. A small percentage of the transferred fat may not survive, which is why some patients choose a touch-up procedure for optimal results. Choosing a board-certified surgeon with expertise in fat transfer minimizes risks and increases safety. Dr. Rivera, for example, prioritizes patient care, ensuring a safe recovery and beautiful, natural-looking results.

It is important to understand that not all transferred fat survives (only approximately 70%-50%), and repeated procedures are sometimes needed. Given the above, a small amount of overcorrection is almost always carried out. Overall, fat grafting is better for deeper volumization. However, it is not good for some areas where the transferred fat tends to disappear completely, such as the lips, where our motion likely causes the newly transferred fat not to survive.

Fillers are better for superficial areas, as they provide more powerful corrections (although not permanent, typically lasting six months to several years). In summary, fat transfer and fillers do not compete but complement each other. Fat is more useful for patients who need larger volumes deeper in the face. One additional benefit of fat grafting is that using special techniques, Stem cells from fat can be isolated and injected for skin rejuvenation purposes during the fat transfer procedure.

Of note, an insider secret and something not understood by most patients, aesthetic providers, and even some surgeons is that fat grafting generally does not work well as a stand-alone procedure in older patients with loose skin. Fat transfer works well for patients with no redundant skin (younger ones or older ones after a facelift). This procedure works best if the skin is tighter and more elastic. Hence, Dr. Rivera-Serrano typically only performs fat grafting in older patients during or after a facelift. A personal consultation will determine what is best for you.