Fat transfer, sometimes referred to as fat injection, fat augmentation or autologous fat transfer, is an in-office procedure that harvests a patient’s own fat and then uses it to fill unwanted facial folds and/or wrinkles, and add facial volume and contour. Fat transfer is generally indicated to treat the jawline, lower eyelids, cheeks, and nasolabial folds, also known as “laugh” or “smile lines”.

Good candidates for fat transfer are men and women in good general health who have realistic expectations, and are looking to improve the contour of the face. Typically, individuals with a normal, healthy body weight have better results with fat transfer than those who are excessively thin, as these people with more robust fat cells are more likely to provide the desired volume enhancement when transferred elsewhere on the body and/or face.

Fat transfer procedures are performed by Dr. Hilinski in his state-of-the-art office. However, many patients elect to have fat transfer done as an adjunct to more invasive surgery performed in the outpatient surgery setting.

Typically, Dr. Hilinski uses local anesthesia in conjunction with oral sedation for fat transfer procedures performed in-office. If the fat transfer is being performed in the operating room, with additional to more invasive surgical procedures, Dr. Hilinski will use deep sedation or general anesthesia.

Incisions associated with fat transfer are generally located on the abdomen, hips, butt, or thighs. Dr. Hilinski will create several small incisions on the harvest site, and use liposuction to remove fat. This fat will then be injected into the face according to each patient’s unique treatment plan.

Fat transfer typically takes between one and two hours depending on how much fat is required to harvest and place to achieve the desired results.

There is X Trusted Source Procedure, applications, and outcomes of autologous fat grafting Francesco Simonacci, Nicolò Bertozzi, Michele Pio Grieco, Eugenio Grignaffini, and Edoardo Raposio Go to Source minimal pain or discomfort associated with the fat transfer procedure, and for most patients it can be managed with OTC medication.

Most patients experience minimal bruising and swelling at the treatment site(s) in the three to five days following their fat transfer treatment. We recommend that patients perform a gentle circular massage to help blend the newly placed fat into surrounding tissue to smooth results. However, excess pressure may cause too much dispersion of the fat, so patients should take caution. Dr. Hilinski will schedule a follow-up appointment one week after a fat transfer procedure to ensure optimal healing. Patients generally see the final results of a fat transfer treatment in two-to-three months. If after three months additional volume is desired, Dr. Hilinski may recommend an additional fat transfer procedure.

Dr. Hilinski will remove the stitches placed at the harvest site within one week following a fat transfer procedure.

Patients can expect to return to work within three to five days after a fat transfer procedure.

Patients can resume regularly scheduled activities and exercise in approximately two weeks following a fat transfer procedure.

All surgery carries some risk, however, fat transfer is considered a X Trusted Source Efficacy and Safety of Autologous Fat Transfer in Facial Reconstructive Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Todor K Krastev, Jip Beugels, Juliette Hommes, Andrzej Piatkowski, Irene Mathijssen, Rene van der Hulst. Go to Source
safe procedure . In rare cases, patients experience lumping of the fat at the transfer site which is generally due to the body’s healing process and not a reflection of surgical technique. If this occurs, Dr. Hilinski may recommend a gentle, circular massage to help smooth the contour or depending on severity, steroid injections and/or lipodissolve injections can provide additional benefit.

No. Fat transfer is generally performed for cosmetic purposes and these are not typically covered by insurance.