At White Hill Clinic in Sydney, we offer fat transfer to the face to help potentially enhance your facial volume.
Led by Dr. Joseph Rizk, who has performed numerous successful facial fat grafting procedures, our team ensures that each treatment is tailored to meet your individual needs and performed with precision and safety.
What is Fat Transfer to the Face?
Fat transfer to the face, also known as facial fat grafting, is a procedure where excess fat from areas such as the stomach or thighs is transferred to the face.
This aims to rejuvenate facial features and restore volume lost over time. Pure fat cells undergo fat purification before being injected fat into areas like the cheeks, chin, and under-eye regions, with the goal of creating a natural, fuller appearance.
Using your own body fat, this technique is a good option for those looking to avoid synthetic fillers and potentially achieve long-lasting results. The results may be visible immediately, with the face potentially looking volumised, smooth, and refreshed.
Potential Benefits of Fat Transfer to the Face
Facial fat grafting may provide a range of benefits, making it an alternative to other facial rejuvenation procedures. These may include:
- Minimally invasive: Compared to a full facelift, facial fat transfer is generally less invasive and may be less painful.
- Natural results: Using purified fat from your own body aims to create a more natural look with minimal risk of rejection.
- No scarring: The procedure typically leaves little to no visible scars.
- Potential for long-lasting results: Fat cells transplanted to the face may integrate and provide longer-lasting results compared to other fillers.
Who is a Suitable Candidate
for Fat Transfer to the Face?
Potential candidates for fat transfer to the face in Sydney may include individuals who:
- Are in overall good health
- Have stable weight and good skin elasticity
- Wish to enhance their facial volume or smooth out hollow areas
- Have excess fat in areas like the abdomen, thighs, or hips to serve as donor fat sites
- Do not smoke and maintain a healthy lifestyle
It’s essential to have realistic expectations about the results. Dr. Rizk, following will discuss any risks involved and ensure that you receive a second opinion if needed before proceeding with the facial fat grafting.
Not Sure if You're a Good Candidate for Fat Transfer to Face? Book a Consultation With Dr. Rizk
How Does the Procedure Work?
The facial fat transfer procedure known as fat grafting involves several key steps:
- Fat harvesting: Fat is extracted from areas such as the abdomen or thighs using a gentle liposuction technique.
- Purification: The extracted fat is purified to remove excess fluid and dead cells, leaving only healthy fat cells ready for injection.
- Fat injection: The purified fat is injected into the areas of the face where volume is needed, such as the cheeks, under the eyes, or chin. Multiple injections aim to ensure even distribution for optimal results.
This minimally invasive procedure is typically performed under topical or regional anaesthetic, and you can go home the same day.
Recovery and Results
After the fat transfer to the face procedure, you may expect some swelling, bruising, and tenderness in the treated areas. These side effects typically subside within one to two weeks. During the recovery period, it is recommended to protect your face from stress and exposure to sunlight.
Results may be noticeable immediately, but it’s common for some of the transplanted fat to be reabsorbed by the body, which may require additional treatments. Following Dr. Rizk’s aftercare instructions may help support optimal recovery and results.
Possible Risks or Side Effects
As with any invasive procedure, facial fat transfer does carry risks. These may include:
- Infection
- Fat embolism (a rare complication where fat enters the bloodstream)
- Uneven fat distribution or asymmetry
- Fat necrosis (a condition where some of the transferred fat may harden or die)
- Need for additional procedures due to fat reabsorption
Dr. Rizk will thoroughly discuss all risks during your consultation and provide guidance on minimising these risks. It’s important to remember that any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.
Your recovery from
facial
fat transfer surgery
Because only a relatively light anesthetic is used, you’ll be able to go home the same day as your fat transfer face grafting procedure. You can expect there to be some swelling and bruising in the treated areas, and they may be sore or tender for a few days.
Allow a week or two for the swelling and discoloration to completely subside, and make sure to protect the skin on your face from stress and exposure to sunlight. Before you leave the clinic after your surgery, Dr Rizk will provide you with any prescriptions necessary along with instructions to properly care for your newly rejuvenated face.
During your recovery, you may notice some minor changes in your appearance. This is normal, as it reflects the settling of the transplanted tissue and the adjustment of your facial skin to its new shape. Also, sometimes re-grafting is needed.
After the first treatment, a percentage of the grafted fat will undergo reabsorption, which sometimes necessitates additional procedures. Often your surgeon will initially inject a larger quantity than needed in anticipation of losing some volume over time.
Dr Rizk will also schedule any follow-up visits as needed to check on your recovery process. Because of the unique nature of your body, know that your results may vary depending on your skin condition. In the meantime, make sure to follow his instructions for aftercare very closely to ensure optimal results.
How Much Does Fat Transfer to the Face Cost?
The cost of facial fat transfer in Sydney varies depending on the complexity of the procedure and the areas treated. At White Hill Clinic, we offer personalised consultations to provide a detailed cost estimate tailored to your specific needs.
Other Treatments at White Hill Clinic
In addition to fat transfer to the face, White Hill Clinic offers a range of other cosmetic procedures such as fat transfer to the buttocks, liposuction, neck lift and more.
Meet Dr Joseph Rizk
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon
Dr Joseph Rizk is a highly trained Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon based in Sydney, specialising in breast, face and body surgery. He is also skilled in non-surgical cosmetic treatments.
Dr Rizk has undertaken advanced training in the Netherlands and the USA, refining techniques in facial rejuvenation and breast reconstruction. He is a Visiting Medical Officer at Westmead and Auburn Public Hospitals and has a clinic at the Breast Cancer Institute Westmead.
How to schedule a consultation
To book an appointment please call us on 1300 512 345 or book online via our website.
Our Locations
- DOUBLE BAY
Suite 3.01, Level 3
451 New South Head Road
Double Bay NSW 2028
- STANMORE
SHOP 1, 2-6 Bridge Road
Stanmore NSW 2048
Video FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
How is fat grafting surgery performed?
Fat grafting surgery, also known as facial fat grafting, involves removing harvested fat from areas like the abdomen or thighs. The fat cells are then purified, ensuring only pure fat cells are used. Finally, the fat is injected into the areas of the face that need volume, such as the cheeks or under the eyes, with the aim of achieving a natural, fuller appearance.
Is fat grafting considered a surgical or invasive procedure?
Yes, fat grafting is a surgical or invasive procedure. While it’s minimally invasive compared to other cosmetic surgeries, it still involves fat harvesting and injected fat into specific areas of the face, which carries certain risks.
What are the risks and complications of fat grafting surgery?
As with any surgical or invasive procedure, facial fat grafting carries potential risks and complications, including infection, asymmetry, fat embolism, or the body reabsorbing some of the injected fat. Dr. Rizk will discuss these risks in detail during your consultation to ensure you’re fully informed.
How does the body handle the injected fat?
Once the fat is injected into your face, the body may naturally integrate the pure fat cells into the surrounding tissue. Some of the injected fat may be reabsorbed by the body over time, but the remaining fat may become a permanent part of the facial structure, potentially providing long-lasting results.
How long does it take to see results from fat grafting surgery?
You may notice immediate results after the procedure as the injected fat enhances your facial volume. However, some swelling may initially hide the final look, and as the harvested fat settles, the full effects may be visible after a few weeks to months.
No Guarantee of Outcome Disclaimer: This content is provided to help you make informed decisions about health treatments and procedures. However, it’s important to understand that individual results from medical treatments can vary. There are no guarantees of specific outcomes, and the content should not be interpreted as an assurance of beneficial treatment. We recommend discussing your expectations and concerns with a qualified healthcare professional.
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