Facial Fat Grafting

Conveniently located to serve the areas of San Antonio, TX

Facial fat grafting is a technique that utilizes a patient’s own fat to address volume loss, smooth prominent creases, and redefine youthful facial contours. Unlike synthetic dermal fillers, autologous fat transfer provides a longer-lasting, more natural solution, with the added benefit of body contouring via liposuction. (1)

Over time, our collagen production and subcutaneous (superficial) fat stores naturally decrease in our face and neck, leading to visible signs of aging such as skin laxity, wrinkles, deep creases, and a sagging appearance. Our skin quality is also influenced by other variables such as lifestyle, sun exposure, diet, genetics, weight fluctuations, and stress levels. Facial fat grafting can effectively reverse the signs of aging caused by volume loss in targeted areas.

At New Image Plastic Surgery in San Antonio, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Lisa Brostrom performs facial fat grafting procedures not only to restore patients’ facial volume naturally, but also to renew their self-confidence. Dr. Lisa Brostrom draws upon more than 26 years of experience in reconstructive and aesthetic surgery to deliver focused, personalized care. She is dedicated to achieving elegant, beautiful results that empower her patients to look and feel their absolute best.

To schedule a personal consultation and explore facial fat grafting with Dr. Lisa Brostrom, call (210) 640-6310 or submit an online contact form.

About Facial Fat Grafting

Facial fat grafting is a surgical technique in which Dr. Lisa Brostrom harvests fat from one or several different regions of the body—typically the flanks, thighs, or abdomen—processes the fat, and strategically injects it into areas of the face that have lost volume due to aging, weight loss, or other factors. (2) This technique leverages the regenerative properties of your own tissue. Unlike synthetic fillers, which provide a temporary lift, fat grafting introduces adipose tissue, which integrates with existing tissue, providing a long-lasting or permanent result with a soft, natural feel and appearance. Fat grafting also improves your contours and the quality of your overlying skin.

The efficacy of fat grafting relies on the survival of the transferred fat cells; once the cells establish a blood supply in the new location, the results can last for many years. This makes it an ideal treatment for deeper structural rejuvenation, such as filling hollow temples, enhancing the cheekbones, or softening the appearance of deep nasolabial folds.

Volume vs. Gravity

In addition to facial volume loss, the force of gravity over time causes the natural descent of facial tissues, contributing to an aged appearance. Surgeons most frequently address these gravity-related changes with resuspension procedures, such as a facelift or brow lift. In some instances, the results of various facial fillers can be comparable to those of surgical lifting, which is why fat grafting and synthetic fillers remain popular as corresponding treatments to more intensive facial rejuvenation procedures. (3)

Benefits

The benefits of facial fat grafting make it an appealing procedure for individuals seeking a long-term, natural-looking boost in healthy facial volume. Top advantages include:

  • Organic Results: Using your own bioidentical tissue minimizes allergy risks and ensures the final outcome looks and feels authentic.
  • Long-Term Effects: Unlike synthetic fillers that require routine reinjection to maintain results, the majority of transferred fat will integrate permanently into its new location.
  • Dual Impact: The harvesting process involves liposuction, which offers the added benefit of slimming the donor site.
  • Versatile Applications: Dr. Lisa Brostrom can utilize this technique to treat multiple regions at once, including hollowed temples, sunken undereyes, and gaunt cheeks.

Candidates

Potential candidates for facial fat grafting are individuals in good overall health who have sufficient donor site fat (in the thighs, abdomen, love handles, etc.) to address volume loss in the face. Most patients seek this treatment to correct facial “hollowing” or to fill lines and wrinkles that have become more prominent with age. It is also preferred by patients who desire a natural, long-term solution over synthetic, temporary fillers. Fat grafting is most often performed in conjunction with face and neck lifting or with lower eyelid surgery to comprehensively address volume loss associated with aging, weight loss, etc. Dr. Lisa Brostrom will carefully determine whether you are a good candidate during your personal consultation.

Personal Consultation

Your facial rejuvenation at New Image Plastic Surgery begins with a comprehensive consultation. Dr. Lisa Brostrom takes the time to understand your concerns and aesthetic vision. She will perform a detailed facial analysis and discuss the specific areas where volume restoration would be most beneficial. You will also discuss the donor site for liposuction. This is an opportunity to ask questions about the technique, discuss potential corresponding procedures, and customize a treatment plan to your unique anatomy and goals.

To schedule your consultation, speak with Dr. Lisa Brostrom’s staff by calling (210) 640-6310 or submitting an online contact form.

Preparation

Dr. Lisa Brostrom will provide specific preparation guidelines, which typically include avoiding blood-thinning medications and supplements for a designated amount of time leading up to the procedure. We require patients to stop smoking well in advance, as nicotine restricts blood flow and can negatively impact the survival of the transferred fat cells. You should also arrange personal transportation for the day of your procedure and assistance for the first 24 hours of your recovery.

Procedure

Dr. Lisa Brostrom performs the facial fat grafting procedure in three distinct stages. First, using gentle liposuction techniques, she removes fat from the predetermined donor site. Second, she processes the fat to separate healthy fat cells from impurities and excess fluids. Third, Dr. Brostrom meticulously injects the purified fat into the facial target areas, working carefully to ensure the fat is evenly distributed and has the best chance of establishing a healthy blood supply for long-term survival.

Recovery

Following the procedure, patients can expect some swelling and bruising in both the donor and recipient sites. These symptoms are typically most pronounced in the first three to five days and gradually subside over the next two weeks. Most patients feel comfortable returning to work and light activities within a week. Dr. Lisa Brostrom will provide you with detailed post-operative instructions to manage discomfort and ensure the best possible outcome. It is important to avoid putting pressure on the treated areas during the initial healing phase (3-4 months) to allow the fat cells to integrate effectively.

Results

Though a portion of the grafted tissue may be naturally metabolized during the initial period, the majority of volume integrates into your facial soft tissue within the initial 3-4 months. Patients enjoy a refreshed, rejuvenated appearance that looks entirely authentic. Because the fat is your own tissue, it will age gracefully with your natural features.

Facial fat grafting is extremely specialized, and very few surgeons have the extensive experience Dr. Brostrom has with facial fat grafting (15 years).

Corresponding Procedures

Facial fat grafting can be combined with other surgical or nonsurgical procedures for a more comprehensive rejuvenation. During your personal consultation with Dr. Lisa Brostrom, you can discuss potential pairings that best suit your goals.

Liposuction

Liposuction is already an essential part of the facial fat grafting procedure, but some patients choose to include more extensive sculpting beyond donor fat removal. Dr. Lisa Brostrom effectively removes stubborn fat deposits from areas like the abdomen, flanks, and hips to refine body contours.

Facelift

For patients experiencing signs of moderate-to-severe facial aging in addition to volume loss, a facelift combined with facial fat grafting can provide comprehensive facial rejuvenation. Dr. Lisa Brostrom will assess your skin quality, bone structure, and musculature to determine which surgical technique can provide you with an effective, long-lasting lift.

Eyelid Lift

Dr. Lisa Brostrom can perform an eyelid lift, or blepharoplasty, on the upper or lower lids to revitalize the eye area and address signs of fatigue or aging. By meticulously removing excess skin and fat, this surgical procedure addresses sagging upper eyelids and noticeable eye bags. This creates a more refreshed, alert appearance that harmonizes with the restorative volume of facial fat grafting.

Cost of Facial Fat Grafting in San Antonio, TX

The cost of facial fat grafting varies based on the number of target areas, the amount of fat being transferred, the number of donor sites, whether corresponding procedures are included, and other factors outlined in your surgical plan. Dr. Lisa Brostrom prioritizes full transparency and patient education. When she creates your personalized treatment plan, she will provide you with a detailed price breakdown. Call our office at (210) 640-6310 or fill out our online contact form when you are ready to explore your options for attaining youthful facial volume and confidence. We will be in touch.

FAQ

Is facial fat grafting painful?

During the procedure, you will receive anesthesia to keep you comfortable. During the initial recovery, most patients report minimal discomfort, which they can manage with over-the-counter medication.

How long does facial fat grafting take?

A facial fat grafting procedure typically takes between one and three hours, depending on the amount of fat to transfer, the size of the recipient site, and the complexity of the sculpting process.

When will I see my final fat grafting results?

While some results are immediately apparent, the full effects will develop as any residual swelling subsides and the transferred fat cells integrate into the new location. This can take three to four months.

Is facial fat grafting safe?

As with any surgery, there are risks, which you will discuss in detail during your consultation. However, because you are utilizing your own tissue, the risks of allergy and rejection are extremely minimal.

Can fat grafting be done more than once?

Yes, some patients choose to make follow-up adjustments to achieve greater volume in areas where the body resorbs fat or to add fullness to new areas. This is possible as long as adequate donor fat is available. Care is taken to avoid overgrafting areas, as this can look very unnatural. It is important to select a surgeon with extensive experience and an artistic eye, as poorly performed fat grafting can be disfiguring and extremely difficult to correct.

How long will fat grafts last?

The fat cells that establish a blood supply at the new location will be virtually permanent. Like other natural fat cells, it will be subject to the effects of aging and weight fluctuations.

Where are the best areas to extract donor fat?

Any areas where you have a good quantity of available fat, minimal scar tissue, and ideally, somewhere you would like to see a cosmetic improvement, such as a flatter abdomen.

References

  1. Vasavada A, Raggio BS. Autologous Fat Grafting For Facial Rejuvenation. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557860/
  2. Shauly O, Gould DJ, Ghavami A. Fat Grafting: Basic Science, Techniques, and Patient Management. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2022;10(3):e3987. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000003987
  3. Coleman SR, Katzel EB. Fat Grafting for Facial Filling and Regeneration. Clinics in Plastic Surgery. 2015;42(3):289-300. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cps.2015.04.001