The beauty of fat transfer – natural, soft, long-lasting filler.

If you are concerned about the loss of volume in the face associated with aging, you may be a candidate for facial fat transfer. If you are taking blood-thinning medications, you will need to come off them before the procedure. You must have a body area with excess fat to harvest, such as love handles, abdomen, thighs, or buttocks.

Before & After

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Enhance your look, naturally.

Various facial areas can be enhanced with your own natural fat, including:

  • Lips
  • Vertical lip lines
  • Hollow temples
  • Tear troughs
  • Cheeks
  • Smile and frown lines
  • Marionette lines
  • Chin

Omaha Face: A clinic with a difference.

  • Dr. John Harbison is double board-certified and specialized facial plastic surgeon.
  • We offer the highest standards of patient health and safety in our AAAASF accredited, state-of-the-art surgical facility.
  • At Omaha Face, we care for our patients throughout the entire process, from soothing pre-surgery jitters to guidance during recovery.

What can I expect in a fat grafting procedure?

Facial fat transfer can be performed with either IV or general anesthesia, depending on your preference, the amount of fat needed, and the donor site. The procedure includes three basic steps:

  • Fat is harvested from the donor site using a cannula (thin tube) and gentle suction.
  • The harvested fat is purified to leave whole, undamaged fat cells.
  • The fat cells are injected into the treatment areas.

Is there any recovery after facial fat transfer?

The recovery after fat transfer is reasonably fast and involves little discomfort. You may experience some bruising and tenderness at the donor site. You can expect some swelling and puffiness in the face for two weeks postoperatively. There are two reasons for this: 1) there may be some swelling from the injection process itself; and 2) some degree of overcorrection is needed, as not all the injected fat survives – approximately one half will be resorbed by the body. Mild bruising can occur, as you could experience with dermal fillers.

Facial Fat Transfer FAQ

What areas are commonly treated with facial fat transfer?

Some of the most common areas to be treated with fat grafting include the malar (cheek) region, tear troughs under the eyes, lips, and nasolabial folds (smile lines). Other treatment areas may include hollowed temples, forehead, and marionette lines (along the sides of the chin)

Which is better – fat transfer or dermal fillers?

Fat grafting and dermal fillers both can treat many of the same areas. Both have distinct advantages and disadvantages.

  • Dermal filler

    Dermal fillers require less anesthetic (no harvesting), will have less swelling afterwards, and are reversible if needed. Additionally, there has been development of new filler agents for specific areas in the face. Dermal fillers are absorbed with time and to maintain the look, will require frequent retreatment, with a cost that adds up over time.

  • Fat transfer pros

    Fat grafting is a long-lasting solution that requires only one treatment in most cases. Fat is often softer and gives a more natural appearance (it is replenishing what used to be there). It can be injected at higher volumes for more dramatic results. Additionally, fat grafting can improve the appearance of the face overall by both volume enhancement and with the transfer of stem cells and growth factors contained in our adipose (fat) tissue.

Can fat grafting be combined with other procedures?

Absolutely, and this is commonly done. Fat transfer is a great way to enhance results of blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), facelifting, brow lifting, or laser resurfacing. This combines treatments under anesthesia and condenses recovery periods.

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