Is Facial Fat Grafting Painful?

The procedure itself is not painful as you will be under anesthesia. Post-surgery, it is common to experience tenderness and swelling for a few weeks. Patients can use over-the-counter pain medication and are often prescribed prescription pain medications to relieve these symptoms.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

The number of sessions depends on the size of the treated area and your desired fat transfer volume. Usually, the face is a small area, so a single session is enough. Dr. Heringer will have you return to the office after 10 to 14 days to monitor recovery. He will then let you know when he would like to see you next.

How Long Until I See Results?

The results are immediately noticeable. However, the new volume will show once the swelling abates, which usually takes two to 4 weeks. Patients should expect to see their final results after three to four months when the fat will begin to settle and the surviving fat cells will have adapted to their new environment.

Can I Combine Facial Fat Grafting With Other Procedures?

Yes, you can! Our patients who have received facial fat grafting in Scottsdale have combined it with other facial rejuvenation procedures, such as a brow lift or a facelift . Patients are highly encouraged to share these ideas for combined procedures with Dr. Heringer during the initial consultation so that he can include them in the surgical plan.

What Are the Risks Associated With Facial Fat Grafting?

Facial fat grafting is considered low-risk as the body’s fat is being reinjected. However, there are still some risks associated with it. Some of them include: Bleeding Fat embolism Seroma Fat cells not surviving Significant scarring Undesirable results Lumps, bumps, or cysts If you experience these side effects or have any concerns related to the procedure, please contact our practice immediately so that we may help.

Scottsdale, AZ

Facial Fat Grafting

Introduction

Introduction to Facial Fat Grafting

Today’s plastic surgery techniques often include fat grafting or fat transfers to add volume to the aging face. Dustin Heringer, MD, of Arizona Ocular & Facial Plastic Surgery, is a highly skilled and board-certified oculofacial plastic and cosmetic surgeon who often incorporates fat grafting as part of face-lift surgery and as a facial filler. This procedure is called facial fat grafting. For long-lasting results and enhanced cosmetic benefits for volume loss associated with aging, facial fat grafting is a more natural option than other types of dermal fillers. To learn more about facial fat grafting in Arizona, call Arizona Ocular & Facial Plastic Surgery to book an appointment.

What is Facial Fat Grafting?

Facial fat grafting is a surgical technique that removes unwanted fat from one area of your body and transfers it via injection into your face to add volume. For example, Dr. Heringer may take fat from your abdomen or thighs and, after processing it into a more purified fluid, inject it into the creases and areas of volume loss in your face, like he would a dermal filler.

Facial fat grafting, or fat transfer, enhances facial fullness and can help build up shallow contours, like in your cheeks. Unlike dermal fillers, facial fat transfers are a permanent solution. It is important to note that once the fat is grafted into the new location, about 50% of it usually survives and lasts indefinitely. In some cases, you may need several fat transfers to achieve your desired results.

What are the
benefits of Facial Fat Grafting

A woman with flowing hair sits on a rocky surface, wearing a cozy white knit sweater, gazing into the distance. - Facial Fat Grafting in Scottsdale, AZ

Our patients who have received facial fat grafting in Scottsdale have enjoyed numerous benefits, including more facial volume and a refreshed look. Some other benefits are listed below:

Improve nasolabial folds around the mouth and nose
Improves cheek contours and mid-face
Improves hollow under eyes
Improves skin texture
Improves the appearance of acne scars
Less chance of infection
Long-lasting result
Natural process
Plumper face
Restoration of facial volume
Smoothening of facial wrinkles
Youthful appearance

Who are the
best candidates

The ideal candidates for facial fat grafting in Scottsdale or Phoenix are those who want to minimize and slow down the effects of aging on their face. Some of the characteristics that ideal candidates should have are:

Acne scars
Fine lines and wrinkles
Lipoatrophy
Loss of volume in the face
Looking for long-lasting treatment
Looking for natural injectables
Maintain realistic expressions
Nasolabial folds
No underlying medical condition
Poor contour definition
Sunken under eyes

Your Facial Fat Grafting Surgery Journey with Dr. Dustin Heringer

What’s the first step?

The first step in getting facial fat grafting is to schedule a consultation with board-certified oculofacial plastic surgeon Dr. Dustin Heringer. During this consultation, Dr. Heringer will discuss your medical history, aesthetic concerns, and expectations from facial fat grafting. He will examine the target areas on your face, outline potential techniques and injection sites, and explain the procedure’s associated risks and benefits. He will also try to identify harvest areas for fat in your body.

Once you are sure you want to proceed with the procedure, Dr. Heringer will draft a surgical plan. You can then take it to our patient concierge for scheduling and pricing details and to receive any pre-operative instructions.

What to Expect on the Day of Facial Fat Grafting Surgery

For a facial fat grafting procedure in Scottsdale and Phoenix, Dr. Heringer prioritizes patient comfort by using local anesthesia. He then performs liposuction to remove a small amount of fat from an area of your body that was identified during the consultation, such as your abdomen or thighs.

He uses a small, hollow tube called a cannula to suction out the fat using gentle liposuction. Next, he processes the fat using a centrifuge to separate excess fluid, debris, and dead cells from the adipose (fat) tissue.

Once the fat is essentially purified, Dr. Heringer injects it in small amounts through a thin cannula into areas of your face where you lack volume. The amount of fat Dr. Heringer injects depends on your individual needs and the goal you’re trying to achieve. One of the biggest benefits of fat grafting is that the new location doesn’t reject the fat cells since they’re from your own body.

Expectation

Your Guide to Post-Facial Fat Grafting Surgery Care

Facial Fat Grafting Recovery

Recovery from facial fat grafting will take a few weeks. It is common for patients to experience tenderness and swelling in both the harvesting area and the facial target areas.

After surgery, it is important to rest and not resume strenuous exercise for a few weeks. The length of recovery will depend on how much fat was transferred.

How Much Does Facial Fat Grafting Cost in Scottsdale, AZ?

The cost of facial fat grafting in Scottsdale & Phoenix varies depending on the volume of the target area, Dr. Heringer’s, and anesthesia fees, among many factors. To get an accurate estimate of the price, you should schedule your consultation with Dr. Heringer so that he can create the best surgical plan for you. Our Patient Coordinator will then be able to provide you with the cost after your plan is created.

Cost

Why Choose Dr. Heringer?

Dustin Heringer, MD, is a board-certified oculofacial plastic and cosmetic surgeon at Arizona Ocular & Facial Plastic Surgery in Scottsdale and Peoria, Arizona. He strives to achieve the most natural-looking results through the most conservative treatment methods. He provides men and women with carefully tailored treatments to enhance their aesthetic appearance and boost their self-esteem. He should be your choice for your facial fat grafting in Scottsdale, AZ.

Dr. Heringer is one of the few surgeons who is a member of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS), the American Board of Facial and Cosmetic Surgery (ABFCS), the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO).

Why us?

Facial Fat Grafting FAQ’S

Facial fat grafting is considered low-risk as the body’s fat is being reinjected. However, there are still some risks associated with it. Some of them include:
- Bleeding
- Fat embolism
- Seroma
- Fat cells not surviving
- Significant scarring
- Undesirable results
- Lumps, bumps, or cysts
If you experience these side effects or have any concerns related to the procedure, please contact our practice immediately so that we may help.

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Schedule a Consultation

Are you ready to learn more about facial fat grafting, an option for restoring volume and smoothing wrinkles? Call the friendly office team at Arizona Ocular & Facial Plastic Surgery to schedule an appointment.