Is Facial Fat Grafting Painful?

Facial fat grafting requires local anesthesia, which significantly reduces the pain associated with these procedures. Redness and bruising are minimal and generally resolve within a few days.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

Following your procedure, Dr. Timberlake will see you for a series of follow-up appointments to track your progress and healing. These appointments are also your opportunity to communicate with Dr. Timberlake how you are feeling about the surgical process.

How Long Until I See Results?

The results of facial fat grafting are seen immediately. There is usually some swelling that can make things look “over-corrected.” This swelling usually takes a couple of weeks to resolve.

Can I Combine Facial Fat Grafting with Other Procedures?

If you are interested in combining facial fat grafting with other procedures, talk to Dr. Timberlake about your options. Many patients do fat grafting with a facelift or neck lift, as these are complementary surgical procedures aimed at addressing facial aging. Dr. Timberlake usually does not recommend facial fat grafting in patients undergoing facelift surgery, as it is not needed in the majority of cases. Dr. Timberlake is very conservative when performing any facial fat grafting, as the majority of changes seen in facial volume are seen due to repositioning of existing facial fat using his deep plane facelift technique.

What Are the Risks Associated with Facial Fat Grafting?

There are risks associated with any medical procedure, which Dr. Timberlake will discuss with you during your consultation. By choosing a highly skilled surgeon like Dr. Timberlake, you will reduce the chances of any risks. Some risks associated with Facial Fat Grafting include: Anesthesia complications Bleeding Infection Pain Numbness Swelling Visible lumps Discussing the risks of any procedure with your surgeon is always recommended for any procedure.

Facial Fat Grafting

New York, NY

Introduction
What is Facial Fat Grafting?
Who are the Best Candidates?
What are the Benefits?
What’s the First Step?
What to Expect?
Facial Fat Grafting Recovery
FAQ’s

Introduction

Facial Fat Grafting

Facial fat grafting is a surgical rejuvenation procedure where liposuction is performed on another part of the body with available fat. The harvested fat is then processed, purified, and placed into small syringes for transfer into areas of the face that require volume. Typical areas of volume depletion due to aging include the cheeks, paranasal (around the nostrils), nasolabial folds, forehead, lips, and hollows of the eyes. Facial fat grafting can be thought of as a natural filler that can provide you with stunning results for years. Dr. Timberlake rarely performs facial fat grafting as an isolated procedure. It is usually performed very conservatively as a small volume transfer at the time of facelift surgery.

A woman with long dark hair, dressed in a black strapless top and black blazer, standing in dramatic lighting with her eyes closed, basking in sunlight - Fat Grafting Procedure in New York, NY

About Facial Fat Grafting

What is Facial Fat Grafting?

Facial fat grafting is a surgical rejuvenation procedure where liposuction is performed on another part of the body with available fat. The harvested fat is then processed, purified, and placed into small syringes for transfer into areas of the face that require volume. Typical areas of volume depletion due to aging include the cheeks, paranasal (around the nostrils), nasolabial folds, forehead, lips, and hollows of the eyes. Facial fat grafting can be thought of as a natural, more permanent filler that can provide you with stunning results for years.

Candidates

Who Are the Best Candidates for a Facial Fat Grafting Procedure?

Facial fat grafting is ideal for individuals who desire natural-looking facial rejuvenation and meet certain criteria. The best candidates for this procedure typically include:

Individuals with facial volume loss
Patients seeking natural results
Good general health
Adequate donor Fat
Realistic expectations

Benefits

What Are the Benefits of Facial Fat Grafting?

There are several benefits from facial fat grafting that our New York City patients report, including:

More defined facial features
More voluminous cheeks
A noticeable reduction in wrinkles and fine lines on the treatment area

First steps

What’s the First Step?

The first step in Facial Fat Grafting in New York City begins with an initial consultation with Dr. Timberlake. During this consultation, Dr. Timberlake will assess your facial concerns, discuss your aesthetic goals, and evaluate whether you are a suitable candidate for the procedure. He will also review your medical history and previous cosmetic treatments to ensure your safety and suitability for Facial Fat Grafting. This consultation serves as an opportunity to express any concerns and gain a thorough understanding of the procedure and what to expect.

If you wish to proceed with your procedure, Dr. Timberlake will create your surgical plan, and our patient coordinator will help you schedule your procedure date. We will also provide you with instructions to follow to help make your surgery as safe and successful as possible.

What to expect

How is Facial Fat Grafting Done?

Facial fat grafting can be performed with either sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the surgical plan.

During the procedure, both the donor and recipient sites of the fat are numbed with local anesthesia. Fat is withdrawn or suctioned using a syringe or cannula (thin tube) that is inserted through tiny incisions. Once the fat is removed, it is purified to remove blood and damaged cells. Fat is then carefully transferred to the areas of your face that need volume restoration with a tiny cannula.

Recovery

Facial Fat Grafting Recovery

There are minimal restrictions after fat grafting. You should avoid initial strenuous activity for a few days but can then resume full activity. Most patients resume normal activity on the same day as surgery. Expect minor swelling, bruising, or redness in both the donor and recipient sites. The severity will depend on the size and location of each area.

What sets

Why Choose Dr. Timberlake?

Andrew Timberlake, MD, PHD

Us apart

Why Choose Dr. Timberlake?

After studying Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry at Yale, he continued his medical and graduate studies at Yale, graduating cum laude from the medical school with a PhD in Genetics. At graduation, he was awarded the MD/PhD Prize for his most outstanding achievements in both clinical and research efforts. Dr. Timberlake’s exposure to plastic surgery began in medical school at Yale University when he spent time visiting some of the world’s foremost plastic surgeons to study their techniques. He completed his residency in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at NYU Langone’s Department of Plastic Surgery, ranked the #1 plastic surgery residency program in the United States during his time there.

During his six years of training, he participated in thousands of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures of the face, nose, breast, and body, learning from world experts in each. During his years working alongside Dr. David Rosenberg, pioneer of the deep plane facelift, he learned the technical nuances that distinguish a good from an exceptional result in facelift surgery. He has authored over 50 publications in the world’s most prestigious medical journals, including surgical innovations in deep-plane facelift surgery, rhinoplasty, and other facial cosmetic surgeries. Dr. Timberlake and his New York team are committed to excellence and innovation in all aspects of plastic surgery.

Schedule a consultation

Contact

To schedule your initial consultation, please contact our office on the Upper East Side of Manhattan at 212-832-8595. You can also use our website to complete a consultation request form, and one of our team members will contact you to schedule an appointment at your convenience.

Facial Fat Grafting FAQ’S

If you are interested in combining facial fat grafting with other procedures, talk to Dr. Timberlake about your options. Many patients do fat grafting with a facelift or neck lift, as these are complementary surgical procedures aimed at addressing facial aging. Dr. Timberlake usually does not recommend facial fat grafting in patients undergoing facelift surgery, as it is not needed in the majority of cases. Dr. Timberlake is very conservative when performing any facial fat grafting, as the majority of changes seen in facial volume are seen due to repositioning of existing facial fat using his deep plane facelift technique.
There are risks associated with any medical procedure, which Dr. Timberlake will discuss with you during your consultation. By choosing a highly skilled surgeon like Dr. Timberlake, you will reduce the chances of any risks.

Some risks associated with Facial Fat Grafting include:
- Anesthesia complications
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Pain
- Numbness
- Swelling
- Visible lumps
Discussing the risks of any procedure with your surgeon is always recommended for any procedure.