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What is Facial Fat Grafting?

Fat grafting, also known as facial fat transfer, involves harvesting excess fat from areas of the body, such as the abdomen or thighs, through liposuction.1 The fat cells are then processed and injected into specific treatment areas of the face. This cosmetic surgery technique can effectively soften fine lines, fill in creases, and enhance facial features such as the cheeks, temples, and jawline, resulting in a smoother, more youthful appearance.

Unlike temporary dermal fillers or Botox, fat injections provide long-lasting results because the transferred fat integrates with surrounding tissues. Dr. Esmailian uses a specialized cannula and meticulous techniques to ensure precision, safety, and symmetry in every fat transfer procedure.

Benefits of Facial Fat Grafting

Over time, volume loss in the face is a natural part of the aging process. This leads to hollowed eyes, sunken cheeks, and deeper smile lines or depressions. Facial fat grafting offers a natural solution using your body’s own fatty tissue to restore volume, balance, and vibrancy to the face.

Additional benefits include:

  • Improved contour and texture in treatment areas
  • Reduced appearance of wrinkles and fine lines
  • No risk of allergic reaction (since the material is autologous)2
  • Reuse of unwanted fat from donor areas
  • Enhanced results when combined with other procedures like a facelift, neck lift, or breast lift
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Your Personalized Treatment Plan

Every patient begins with a consultation with Dr. Esmailian, a renowned facial plastic surgeon and reconstructive expert, to determine whether you’re a good candidate for facial fat transfer. During this session, you’ll discuss your aesthetic goals, review your health history, and receive a customized treatment plan tailored to your needs.

The fat transfer procedure begins by selecting a donor site—commonly the abdomen, flanks, or thighs—where excess fat is gently removed via liposuction. After the fat is purified using a centrifuge, Dr. Esmailian reinjects it into targeted areas of the face to restore facial volume and definition.

What to Expect: Procedure & Recovery

Facial fat grafting can be performed under local anesthesia or general anesthesia, depending on the extent of the procedure and any combined surgeries. The incisions for fat harvesting are minimal and well-concealed.

Downtime varies based on the amount of fat transferred and whether additional procedures such as a facelift is performed concurrently. Swelling and bruising may occur in both the donor area and treatment area, but these effects subside within a few weeks.

Patients can expect gradual, natural enhancement as the transferred fat settles and integrates over several months.3 Results can last for years with proper care and a healthy lifestyle.

Schedule a Consultation

With board certification and a deep passion for providing the highest standard of patient care, Dr. Esmailian stands out among Orange County’s elite plastic surgeons. He is known for his patient-first approach, surgical artistry, and dedication to delivering realistic expectations and outstanding results. Located in Newport Beach, his office offers easy accessibility for patients from throughout Orange County seeking facial rejuvenation through cosmetic surgery. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I combine any other treatments with facial fat grafting?

Is facial fat grafting better than dermal fillers?

Which areas of the face can benefit from fat grafting?

Can fat grafting be done on the body as well as the face?

Where can I find facial fat grafting near me?

Can I combine any other treatments with facial fat grafting?

Absolutely. Many patients choose to combine their facial fat transfer with a facelift, neck lift, or non-surgical treatments like Botox. Dr. Esmailian will help create a comprehensive treatment plan to help you achieve your cosmetic goals.

Is facial fat grafting better than dermal fillers?

Both options have their place, but fat grafting offers more long-lasting results and a natural look by using your own fat. Unlike dermal fillers, fat transfer can also contour other areas by removing unwanted fat from the body.

Which areas of the face can benefit from fat grafting?

Facial fat grafting can be used to enhance and restore volume in many areas of the face, including the cheeks, jawline, chin, and temples. It’s also effective for smoothing the forehead, filling under-eye hollows and tear troughs, and softening deep creases like nasolabial folds and marionette lines. Additional treatment areas may include the lips, corners of the mouth, and even pitted acne scars.4

Can fat grafting be done on the body as well as the face?

Yes, fat grafting can be performed on both the body and the face. In addition to restoring facial volume and contour, fat transfer is often used in body procedures such as breast augmentation, Brazilian butt lift, and as a complement to a tummy tuck to refine results and create smoother transitions between treated areas. Dr. Esmailian customizes each fat grafting procedure to help patients achieve natural-looking, long-lasting enhancements using their own fat.

Where can I find facial fat grafting near me?

Dr. Farbod Esmailian offers expert facial fat grafting procedures at his state-of-the-art office, located in Newport Beach, serving the entire Orange County area. As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Esmailian ensures personalized, high-quality care and stunning outcomes.

1 Stanford Medicine. Facial Fat Grafting. https://med.stanford.edu/cosmeticsurgery/aestheticservices/face/facial-fat-grafting.html. Accessed April 22, 2025.
2 StatPearls. Autologous Fat Grafting for Facial Rejuvenation. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557860/. Accessed April 22, 2025.
3 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The future of facial augmentation: A closer look at fat grafting and transfer techniques in facial plastic surgery. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/articles/the-future-of-facial-augmentation-a-closer-look-at-fat-grafting-and-transfer-techniques-in-facial-plastic-surgery. Accessed April 22, 2025.
4 Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery. The Role of Autologous Fat Grafting in the Treatment of Atrophic Post-Acne Scars: A Narrative Review. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/12034754251316288?int.sj-full-text.similar-articles.2. Accessed April 22, 2025.

Page updated: May 02, 2025

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