Fat transfer, or fat injection, is a cosmetic plastic surgery procedure that restores volume that is lost as we age, gauntness from athletic activity, or volume for those with a naturally thin face. During the cosmetic procedure, body fat is removed from other areas of the body like the abdomen and is then reinjected into the skin beneath the fold where it acts as a skin volume filler. The result is a much more youthful, rejuvenated appearance.
Fat transfer may also be used to add fullness to the lips. The results of fat transfer are somewhat variable but up to 70% of the volume is virtually permanent!
Get your glow back! INCISIONLESS, Natural Volume Restoration, add fullness using your body’s own living tissue!
Dr. Donath is pleased to be the exclusive plastic surgeon in the Tristate area to have been personally trained by the pioneers of complementary fat grafting. After reading the basics of the fat transfer procedure below, you may wish to read excerpts from Dr. Donath’s landmark article on state-of-the-art facial rejuvenation.
Fat transfer procedure provides a better value than synthetic fillers, which must typically be re-injected each year to maintain the effect.
Individuals who are looking to gain or restore a healthy, youthful glow in the face that cannot be achieved with traditional facial procedures are excellent candidates for fat transfer. As with other cosmetic procedures, patients should be healthy.
We recommend a combination of local anesthetic and sedation for maximum comfort throughout the procedure. During the procedure the fatty tissue is removed from the donor areas of the body
with methods similar to liposuction, but more gently with an emphasis on preserving the live fat cells. The removed fat is prepared and then re-injected into the recipient site (the face). Recovery is variable, with modest swelling and bruising that diminishes after 10-14 days, and very little to no pain.
I am so pleased with the surgeon that performed my lower bleph and fat transfer. Do a thorough check on any doctor you are considering and do NOT let cost be a significant factor in choosing a Doctor and remember ” you get what you pay for” and you are talking about your face!! His staff is incredibly kind and welcoming . He truly cares about your concerns and more importantly your end result as much as you do! He will be the only PS ever operating on me. Thank you Dr. Donath for giving me back my self esteem! For 20 yrs I hid behind my glasses in embarrassment hoping no one would see my eye bags and now I can remove the glasses, look people in the eye and feel good about myself again, that is priceless!
Facial Fat Transfer Before & Afters
*Each patient is unique and individual results may vary.
Why choose Dr. Donath — Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
While facelifts are excellent procedures for removing excess skin and redraping the facial soft tissue, they do nothing to replace the volume of soft tissue and bone that we all lose with age. The primary benefit of a facelift is along the jawline and in the neck. Fat transfer addresses not only the jawline, but the cheeks, around the eyes, and the temples, giving a truly rejuvenated appearance which is much more natural-appearing than a facelift alone.
If you are looking to gain or restore the healthy glow of youth, then fat transfer may be right for you. Dr. Donath is happy to meet with you for a consultation to show you what results you can expect from a fat transfer and help you decide if the fat transfer can address your needs.
During the consultation for fat transfer, Dr. Donath will meet with you to examine your face, discuss your goals, and take a thorough medical history (if you would like to save time, you can even fill out your medical history form from this website and bring it in with you for your visit). He will weigh other factors like age, facial structure, and skin type in determining if fat transfer is right for you. The technique, anesthesia, risks, and costs will be discussed along with any questions or concerns that you may have.
We recommend a combination of local anesthetic and sedation for maximum comfort throughout the procedure.
Once anesthesia is administered, Dr. Donath will remove fat from the donor area with methods somewhat similar to liposuction, but with much more attention to keeping the cells alive. The abdomen, hips, and thighs are common donor sites. The fat is then prepared and carefully and methodically reinjected into the recipient sites in the face.
Fat transfer may take about an hour to perform.
Patients may experience some minor irritation and discomfort which tends to fade quickly, and which responds extremely well to oral pain medication.
Patients may experience some minor discomfort after the procedure, though this tends to resolve quickly. Redness, bruising, swelling is variable but is greatly improved within 10-14 days. In general, the recovery is relatively minor and patients report that the results are absolutely worth it.
Whether you live in midwestern states of Ohio, Kentucky, or Indiana, or anywhere else in the U.S. or the world, Donath Facial Plastic Surgery offers fat transfer among its services. For a full list of services, please visit our procedures page.
