Fat Grafting

Fat grafting or fat transfer involves removing fat from the abdomen, flanks, inner, or outer thighs, and placing it in the face. As we age our faces lose volume in specific fat compartments in the temples, midface, and lower face. Some of this volume can be restored using temporary hyaluronic acid fillers, but sometimes patients elect to have a more permanent surgical solution by using their own fat to provide a more youthful facial shape. Dr. Irvine does this under general anesthesia or moderate sedation in order to make patients as comfortable as possible. It is often done at the same time as a facelift to improve the overall result. Approximately 40 to 70% of the transplanted fat survives, and after fat grafting, the aging process continues, meaning that the face may continue to lose fat as part of the natural aging process. Therefore many patients may desire a second fat grafting procedure approximately 1 to 2 years after their first one.

Swelling and bruising of the fat injection sites usually lasts 1-2 weeks depending on patient age and the amount of fat injected. After this time patients can return to work.