Fat Grafting
As we age, our face naturally loses fat, which can lead to a hollow or sunken appearance. Fat grafting can replenish lost volume and restore youthful contours to areas such as the cheeks and under-eye hollows. Autologous fat is considered to be an ideal filler for facial rejuvenation because it is your own tissue and thus is 100% biocompatible. Fat grafting produces a soft and natural result.
Fat grafting, also known as autologous fat transfer, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that involves harvesting fat from another part of the body, like the abdomen, and injecting this fat under the skin of the face to restore lost volume.
Fat grafting can help achieve various aesthetic and reconstructive goals. Common reasons for fat grafting include:
- To reduce the appearance of wrinkles, lines, and folds.
- To treat undereye hollows, upper eyelid hollows, mid-face (cheek) volume loss, and hollowness in the temple area. When paired with lower eyelid blepharoplasty surgery, fat grafting serves to smooth the transition between the lower eyelid and cheek.
- To address facial asymmetry caused by previous surgery, trauma, or other conditions. Injecting fat into specific areas can achieve improved facial balance and symmetry.
- To improve the appearance of scars on the face. Fat grafting can soften depressed or sunken scars to make them less noticeable.
Fat grafting offers several advantages. Because the fat is harvested from the patient’s own body, there is no risk of an allergic reaction or rejection. The transferred fat also contains stem cells, which can have a rejuvenating effect on the overlying skin. Additionally, fat grafting can provide more long-lasting results compared to temporary facial fillers.
Scottdale Oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Grant Moore will review your medical history and discuss your concerns and surgical goals. He will perform a thorough evaluation of the face, and he will determine if you are a good candidate for fat transfer. Patients who are in good health, do not smoke, and have no significant eye problems are typically good candidates.
Schedule a consultation
Scottsdale, Arizona surgeon, Dr. Grant Moore, is an oculofacial plastic surgeon who specializes in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the eyelids, eyebrows, face, and forehead. Oculofacial plastic surgeons have specialty training in ophthalmology and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.
References
- Vasavada A, Raggio BS. Autologous Fat Grafting for Facial Rejuvenation. [Updated 2023 Feb 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557860/
At a Glance
Grant Moore, MD
- Board Certified, Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon
- Over 5000 blepharoplasty surgeries performed
- Assistant Professor, University of Arizona-Phoenix
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