Precision Facial Fat Grafting

What the procedure is

Facial fat grafting takes fat from the patient's own body — usually the abdomen or inner thigh — processes it, and re-injects it into the face in small, controlled quantities to restore volume that has been lost or to refine contour that was never balanced.

Because the material is the patient's own tissue, there is no question of rejection and no synthetic filler to migrate or require replacement on a schedule. What survives the transfer becomes living tissue with its own blood supply.

Who it suits

Fat grafting addresses volume loss and contour, not skin laxity. It suits:

• Hollowing of the temples, under-eye region or mid-cheek
• Deepening nasolabial folds caused by volume descent rather than skin excess
• Asymmetry between the two sides of the face
• Flat or receding chin and jawline definition
• Forehead contour irregularity
• A generally drawn or gaunt appearance following weight loss or with age

It is less suited to patients seeking a lifting effect on loose skin — that is a different problem requiring a different procedure — or to patients with very little donor fat available.

Why "precision" describes the technique

The difference between a natural result and an obviously overfilled one is almost entirely a matter of how the fat is placed.

Micro-injection in layered passes. Fat is deposited in small aliquots across multiple tissue planes rather than as a single bulk volume. Each parcel of transferred fat needs to sit close to a blood supply to survive; a large pocket leaves its centre without one, which is how lumps and irregularities form.

Atraumatic harvest and processing. Fat cells are fragile. Gentle harvesting and careful processing before re-injection are what determine how much of the graft survives the transfer.

Planning for partial resorption. Not all transferred fat survives — a proportion is reabsorbed over the first several months. The technique accounts for this in the volume placed, but it also means the result at three months is the reliable one, not the result at one week.

Recovery

• Days 1–3 — Swelling is pronounced and the face looks noticeably fuller than the intended outcome. This is expected.
• Week 1–2 — Most swelling and any bruising subside. The donor site may remain tender.
• Weeks 3–8 — Volume settles as the graft stabilises and a proportion is reabsorbed.
• Month 3 onward — What remains is generally considered the established result, and is long-lasting.

A second session is sometimes planned, particularly where substantial volume is being restored, since layering across two procedures tends to give a more controlled result than attempting everything in one.

Risks and honest expectations

Fat grafting carries risks of asymmetry, irregularity or palpable lumps, over- or under-correction, infection, and cyst formation. Graft survival varies considerably between individuals and is not fully predictable, which is why the final volume cannot be specified in advance. Very rarely, injection near certain vessels carries a risk of vascular occlusion — a recognised complication of all facial injection procedures.

The grafted fat behaves like the fat it came from. Significant weight change after the procedure can alter the result in either direction.

Related

• Closed Rhinoplasty — nasal contour as part of overall facial balance
• Contact the clinic — to arrange an assessment

The information provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual results from plastic surgery and medical procedures may vary. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional, such as Dr. Ju-yong Kang at JNB Clinic, for personalized medical evaluation and consultation prior to undergoing any procedure.