About the procedure
With aging, the deep fat pads of the face shrink; the cheeks flatten and the area under the eyes hollows. In fat transfer, fat taken from the abdomen or thigh is processed and placed in these areas with fine cannulas.
It is performed on its own or together with a facelift. The fat that takes is permanent.
Fat is harvested from the abdomen or inner thigh with low suction and separated from blood and free oil by centrifugation or washing; for thin-skinned areas such as under the eyes and the lips, the fat is refined further (micro/nano fat). Injection is not made at a single point but at different depths, with fine cannulas and many passes; this way each fat particle is nourished by the surrounding tissue and the retention rate improves. When combined with a facelift, sagging and volume loss are addressed at the same time.
- ✓Your own tissue, no allergy risk
- ✓Lasting volume
- ✓Improvement in skin quality
Suitability
Who is it suitable for?
May be suitable
- ✓Those with age-related volume loss in the cheekbones, temples, and under the eyes who want a lasting solution with their own tissue instead of temporary filler.
- ✓Younger patients with congenitally flat cheeks or pronounced under-eye hollows.
- ✓People planning a facelift who have volume loss in addition to sagging.
- ✓Patients with localized depressions in the face after scarring or previous surgery.
Should be postponed or is not suitable
- —Those with very low body fat and no adequate donor area; filler may be more suitable in this case.
- —Those planning significant weight loss or gain in the short term; transferred fat changes volume along with body weight.
- —Patients with an active infection on the face, an uncontrolled autoimmune skin disease, or blood thinner use that cannot be adjusted.
The final decision on suitability is made after a physician examination and tests.
Process
How does it proceed, step by step?
- 01
Initial consultation
Areas of volume loss are marked on facial photographs; how much fat is planned for each area and whether a facelift is needed are discussed.
- 02
Examination and marking
The donor area is chosen and the injection areas on the face are drawn standing and sitting; the fat preparation method for thin-skinned areas is decided.
- 03
Procedure
Under local anesthesia with sedation, fat is harvested through a small incision and processed; it is placed in the face layer by layer with fine cannulas.
- 04
Same-day discharge
A small dressing and a light compression garment are applied to the donor area; cold compresses on the face and sleeping with the head elevated are recommended.
- 05
Check-up
The donor area and facial swelling are assessed on days 2–3; any sutures at the injection points are removed on day 5.
- 06
Return and follow-up
You can fly on days 4–5; the retained fat volume is assessed with photographs at month 3, and a second session is considered if needed.
Recovery
Recovery timeline
Day 1
There is marked swelling in the face and a feeling of fullness in the treated areas; bruising and tenderness are expected in the donor area.
Days 3–5
Swelling is at its peak and the face looks fuller than planned; this is due to the fat placed above the target volume and to swelling.
Week 1
Swelling begins to recede and bruises turn yellow; you can return to social life with light makeup.
Weeks 2–3
Most of the swelling has gone down and the facial contours begin to look more natural; the donor-area garment is discontinued.
Month 1
Fat that did not take is absorbed by the body and the volume decreases somewhat; small surface irregularities soften.
Month 3
The remaining fat has developed a blood supply and become permanent; the final volume is judged at this stage.
Timeframes are averages; they vary by person and by the scope of the procedure.
Results
Before / After
Before and after examples of Fat Transfer are shared during the consultation.
We show our patients' photos only within the scope of their written consent and in one-on-one consultations; we respect the wishes of patients who prefer not to be published on the open internet. Let us send you results from cases similar to yours together with the physician's assessment.
Let us be open
Risks and points to consider
Every medical procedure carries risks. The points below are the main known issues for this procedure; a risk assessment specific to you is made during the consultation.
- Resorption of part of the transferred fat; the retention rate varies by individual, area, and smoking, and a second session may be needed.
- A volume difference between areas or small firm spots on the surface; seen particularly when fat is placed too thickly under the eyes.
- Calcification in the fat tissue or the formation of an oil cyst; usually not palpable, rarely requiring a minor intervention.
- Tissue loss or loss of vision from fat entering a blood vessel is a very rare but serious complication; blunt cannulas and low-pressure injection are intended to reduce this risk.
- Bruising, numbness, and minor contour irregularity in the donor area.