Fat transfer is a procedure used to transfer fat from a specific area in the body to another area.
Many people are unsatisfied with the oversize of some places in their bodies, such as the hips, belly, or buttocks. Yet, simultaneously, they desire to increase the size of another area, such as the lips, face, or breasts.
The fat transfer procedure can achieve their desires by moving the fat from the areas with excess fat and injecting it into another area to improve its volume. It is a popular procedure; many people undergo fat grafting yearly and are satisfied with the results.
What is Facial Fat Transfer?
Facial fat transfer is a procedure that uses the patient’s body fat to fill in areas of facial volume loss. It is considered a form of non-surgical cosmetic plastic surgery rather than a reconstructive surgery, such as a facelift or rhinoplasty (nose job) because it does not change the structure and shape of the face. Instead, it restores fullness to the face by replacing lost volume with fat from elsewhere in the body.
Facial fat transfer involves:
- Liposuctioning fatty tissue from one part of the body
- Usually, the abdomen or thighs
- Injecting that fat into areas of facial volume loss, such as hollow cheeks or sagging eyelids
The result is a natural-looking rejuvenation of the face without incisions or a long recovery.
Facial fat transfer is similar to liposuction’s more widely known procedure. While liposuction removes unwanted body fat and deposits it in other parts of the body—such as hips, buttocks, or legs—facial fat transfer injects that same unwanted fat into specific areas of facial volume loss.
Preparing for Fat transfer
Before scheduling a fat transfer procedure, the most critical step is to choose a reliable clinic or hospital because it is a precise process that needs a medical crew with extensive experience in the fat grafting surgery field and a hospital that has advanced equipment types.
During the consultation, you will discuss with your surgeon the following points:
- The surgeon will check your medical history by asking questions like your medical problems, previous surgeries, and used medication. Then, they will do a physical examination and ask for you a blood test.
- The surgeon will take photos of both the donor and receiving areas. They may use them to compare the treated areas before and after the surgery.
- You and your surgeon will decide whether to perform the fat grafting surgery with local or general anesthesia.
- You’ll talk honestly to your surgeon about what you hope to accomplish with this procedure. It is necessary to know what are the expected results.
Fat grafting procedure
This procedure takes place in three stages as the following:
- Fat extraction: The surgeon will make small incisions in the donor area where they want to remove the fat from it, generally of the belly, thighs, or hips. Then, they will use a thin tube to extract the fat, closing the incisions with stitches.
- Preparation: The surgeon will process the removed fat with special equipment to purify the fat from blood or any other impurities.
- Fat injection: Your surgeon will insert a needle or syringe into the incision point of the treated, such as the face, breast, hips, or buttocks. They will pass the needle into the area several times to inject a tiny amount of fat into the skin.
The surgeon may overfill the treated area because the body will reabsorb the injected fat over time, so the treated area loses some volume.
Fat grafting is usually a painless procedure taking about one hour. However, you may feel pain later, two weeks after the surgery.
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This is the second time I have used the medical services of the Hiatmed company in Istanbul and I must point out that I have received a commendation in all aspects. The most advanced medical services, professional and pleasant doctors, the most advanced equipment in the world, service, warranty, personal response, fast, reliable! The people themselves are charming. Highly recommend their services! Everything they promised and said was done exactly
Such a great experience, they organised everything so well, they didn't let me alone during the process, I ve been really well treated. I came for a rhinoplasty from Spain on my own and the team was there for me during the whole stayment. The hospital is very professional and clean. Everything went right. Thanks to them for helping me and assisting me in everything.
I had a gastric botox injection 7 months ago and till now it was an incredible result, thanks to the doctor and all the team
HayatMed Clinic has very professional and friendly staff. I had a lot of doubts about Rhinoplasty operation. They answered all my questions patiently. They took care of everything from beginning to end. Pre-planned an amazing doctor and a hospital, picked me up at the airport, provided me with a variety of hotels to pick from, showed me around the amazing city and many more. My doctor was very caring and competent. He explained to me everything about the operation and medical procedures in detail. Hospital was sparkling clean. Overall, I have been extremely happy with the service I received. I would have given 10 stars if I could!
Fat Transfer to Face Pros
Fat transfer to the face is a cosmetic procedure that helps to reduce wrinkles, add volume to the cheeks, and fill out hollow areas in the face. If you’re considering a fat transfer to your face, here are some benefits you should know about.
Contour Other Parts of Your Body
Fat transfer to the face can contour other parts of your body. The procedure is ideal for enhancing areas like the buttocks or breast (where it’s called “breast augmentation”) because it results in a natural “upscale” look that doesn’t require any painful implants.
With breast enhancement, it’s possible to add fullness without having an implant that may become painful over time.
No Downtime
The best part about having fat transfer done to your face is that there’s no downtime required! You can go about your daily life as usual after the procedure, although you may experience some swelling and soreness for a few days afterward (this is normal).
The fat transfer could be the perfect solution if you’re looking for an alternative to invasive surgeries like facelifts or Botox injections!
Less Risk of Allergic Reaction
Fat transfer has less risk of allergic reaction than other cosmetic procedures such as Botox injections. There are no reports of adverse reactions from fat transfer surgeries performed on thousands of patients.
This may be why fat transfer is becoming one of the most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedures in recent years.
It restores volume and shape to the face.
Fat grafting is a simple and effective way to restore lost volume in different face parts, including cheeks, lips, and chin. In addition, it can help restore symmetry between the two sides of your face by filling hollows on one side with additional fatty tissue from another area of your body.
It provides natural-looking, long-lasting results.
When an experienced surgeon performs, facial fat grafting will give you a more youthful look without leaving scars or other signs that surgery has been performed on your face. In addition, because the procedure uses your tissue, there’s no chance of rejection, like if synthetic materials were used instead of real human tissue.
Fat transfer cost
This procedure is quite expensive as a result of its complexity. The fat transfer cost varies depending on the geographic location, procedure complexity, and the surgeon’s experience.
It may be difficult to determine the exact price for fat transfer surgery before the consultation because the surgeon needs to check your case and specify the required process.
Cost of Fat Transfer to Face Surgery In Turkey
The cost of fat transfer to face surgery in Turkey varies greatly depending on the region of the world. Many people travel abroad for affordable plastic surgery procedures because they are often more affordable outside North America and Western Europe than within these regions.
Patients who travel abroad usually choose Turkey for aesthetic procedures ranging from $2,500 – to $5,000, significantly cheaper than most clinics in North America and Western Europe.
Cost of Fat Transfer to Face Surgery In the USA
Many factors determine the cost of fat transfer to face surgery in the USA, and it depends on the type of treatment, the area that needs to be treated, the size, and so on.
The average cost of fat transfer to face surgery in the USA is $2500-$7,000. This price range includes all the costs associated with fat transfer to face surgery, including consultation fees, surgical fees, and other expenses such as anesthesia charges or blood tests.
Cost of Fat Transfer to Face Surgery In the UK
The average cost of fat transfer to face surgery in the UK ranges from £500-£700 per unit of fat transferred. A single unit is equivalent to a small apple (the size of an egg) and can be used for about one injection point on an adult’s face.
Additional units will be needed for more substantial results. For example, if someone wanted to increase their cheek volume by two apples’ worth, they would require two units of fat plus some extra to fill out the area comfortably.
To inject one cheek with two apples’ worth of fat would cost approximately £1,000 at most clinics in London and Manchester. Additional costs such as anesthesia add another £200-£300 to the bill; however, if local anesthesia (which involves no sedation) is administered.
Recovery after the fat grafting procedure
Your surgeon will give you
some useful recovery tips for quick healing time. Such as:
- Avoid strenuous physical activities.
- Get enough rest.
- Wear loose clothes to avoid any contact with the treated area.
- Follow a particular type of diet, like eating fruits and vegetables.
The expected fat grafting recovery time is about two weeks. Then you will be able to back to your daily activity.
recovery timeline
Day of the procedure
Patients will be given medication to help with any pain or discomfort they may experience. They will also be given antibiotics to prevent infection in the incisions and instructions on caring for their wounds while healing.
Next day
Patients should avoid strenuous exercise or excessive movement not to disrupt the healing process. They can return to work after 24 hours if they take it easy.
One week after surgery
The area around your eyes will be swollen and bruised, but you’ll likely be able to return to work with little difficulty. Bruising will last between 1-3 weeks, though it may take longer in some people. Swelling should go down after about 2 weeks but will continue to improve for a month afterward.
Three weeks
The patient’s incision area should be almost completely healed, though some small scabs may still be present. The patient can return to regular activity but still needs to avoid strenuous activity, which could disrupt their skin grafts.
4-6 weeks
At this point, all incisions should be closed and fully healed, with only tiny scabs remaining on some regions of the face. The patient’s daily routine can resume.
What are the risks of facial fat transfer?
You must understand the expected hazards of the fat transfer procedure before deciding to undergo it. These risks include :
- Excessive bleeding.
- Blood clots.
- Fat tissue death.
- An unbalanced look may prevent the patient from repeating the procedure.
- Blood or fluid accumulation under the skin
You can reduce the possibility of Fat transfer risks by choosing a certified surgeon who successfully results in this field. With HayatMed, you can be sure you will get the best medical services in Turkey besides affordable costs.
Fat transfer complications
Some side effects may associate with the fat grafting procedure, for instance:
- The treated areas will swell directly after the operation, but this swelling will gradually improve and disappear after about two weeks.
- Infection.
- Adverse reaction to anesthesia.
- Allergic.
- Scarring.
You must follow up with your surgeon during the healing period to ensure that your complications are expected and will go away in time.
Conclusion
Fat transfer is an effective surgical procedure that could be a treatment option for patients experiencing facial volume loss due to aging or weight loss.
Face and body contouring through fat transfer to the face can be refined and customized to suit each patient’s unique facial characteristics.
Advances in plastic surgery now allow us to witness the possibilities of renewed vitality and rejuvenation and remove those rose-colored glasses hiding the truth.
Contact Us Today
Lastly, if you need to know more about this procedure or have more questions about other procedures, we offer a free consultation on WhatsApp or contact us by filling out the form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is a good candidate for a fat transfer to the face?
Individuals in good health who wish to restore facial areas that appear sunken due to aging or have lost volume may benefit from fat transfer surgery. Realistic expectations must be held about the outcome.
Is it a painful procedure?
Most patients report minimal discomfort. The procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia, which numbs the areas of fat harvest and injection. Some soreness or swelling may be experienced in the days following the procedure.
How long do the results last?
The longevity of fat transfer results can vary. While some of the transferred fat cells may be reabsorbed by the body, the cells that survive the transfer will remain permanently. Generally, patients can expect to retain 50-70% of the transferred fat long-term.
How does fat transfer compare to dermal fillers?
Both procedures can add volume and reduce wrinkles in the face, but each has distinct differences. Dermal fillers use synthetic materials injected directly into the skin; their effects typically last from 6-18 months.
Fat transfer uses your body’s natural materials and may produce longer-term results.
Can a fat transfer be combined with other procedures?
Yes, fat transfer can be combined with other surgical procedures such as a facelift, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), or rhinoplasty (nose job) to enhance overall results.
What areas of the face can be treated with fat transfer?
Fat transfer therapy can be used to restore volume loss due to age or other factors in various areas of the face, such as cheeks (for a more youthful and rounded appearance), under-eye hollows or dark circles, lips with less volume than desired, and even areas with deep wrinkles or scars.
Are there any restrictions after the procedure?
Patients following dental procedures are usually advised to avoid strenuous physical activities for several weeks post-surgery to facilitate healing and sleep without resting their head on their pillow at night, in addition to using cold compresses as recommended for swelling reduction.
Is the fat transfer procedure safe?
As with any surgical procedure, fat transfer poses some inherent risks; however, when performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon, it should generally be safe. These could include infection, bleeding, scarring, and potential allergic reactions from anesthesia.
Does fat transfer leave scars?
The incisions for both harvesting and injecting the fat are very small, so any scarring is typically minimal and becomes less noticeable over time. The exact visibility of scars can depend on individual factors such as your skin type and how well you heal. Your surgeon will also make an effort to place incisions in less visible areas.
About the author
Binsy brings over 13 years of expertise to the HayatMed Clinic Blog. With a passion for healthcare communication, she has crafted insightful articles that demystify complex medical topics, empowering readers to make informed decisions about their well-being.
Her wealth of experience ensures that each blog post is a reliable source of knowledge, fostering a deeper understanding of health and medical advancements.
This article was Medically reviewed by Dr. Duran Çekiç
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