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What is a Fat Transfer?

Fat transfer, also referred to as fat grafting, is an advanced technique Dr. Lieberman, Dr. Parikh, and Dr. Curti use to add and restore facial volume. Fat transfer starts by harvesting fat cells from one area of the body using liposuction, processing the fat, and finally injecting it into areas of the face where volume loss is noticeable.

By adding volume to the face, the curvature of the face will become more pronounced and allow more light to be reflected. Adding fat back into the face will also even out skin tone and make the overall face appear more radiant.

Fat transfer is an effective procedure that requires a deep understanding of the underlying facial structures, as well as the principles of facial beauty. Only a handful of surgeons who specialize in facial reconstruction, such as Drs. Lieberman, Parikh, and Curti, are able to perform a fat transfer that achieves natural-looking results.

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What to Expect During the Procedure

Performed under general anesthesia, fat transfer involves harvesting a small number of fat cells from the abdomen or inner thigh area and purifying these cells through a specialized Puregraft System to remove impurities from the nutrient-rich products. Since only a tiny amount of fat is removed from the donor area, fat grafting is not a procedure that can be used in place of CoolSculpting® or liposuction.

After harvesting the fat cells, our surgeons use blunt cannulas to inject the fat as little droplets into the necessary areas of the face–generally the jawline, under the eyes, and on the cheeks. Grafted fat has a much higher blood supply which helps the tissue survive in the new area, and the overall results are more refined.

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Why L&P For a Fat Transfer?

As we age, we lose volume in the face because of skeletal changes – our cheekbones and maxilla get smaller – and tissues changes – areas that once created heart-shaped contours begin to look gaunt. During your comprehensive aging face consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your face in thirds and its relative proportion to the golden ratio of beauty.

If the volume loss is relatively minor, our surgeons or our cosmetic nurse injectors will address this minor volume loss with dermal fillers such as Juvéderm®, Juvéderm XC®, Voluma®, Restylane®, Radiesse®, and Sculptra®. But if volume loss is substantial, especially in the older population, or if a patient desires a longer-lasting solution than dermal fillers, fat transfer is a more effective rejuvenation option.

Fat Transfer Before and After Gallery

View real results from real patients below.

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Facelift Neck Lift before and after treatment - Facelift Palo Alto

Natural Rejuvenation with Signature Lift

This patient had out L&P Signature Deep Plane Facelift and Neck Lift with tissue contouring, a lower blepharoplasty, a limited fat transfer, and a chin implant. Yes, that is a handful of procedures, but look at how natural her outcome is. We wanted to focus on maintaining volume while contouring deep tissues for a youthful appearance. She mentioned that not even her closest loved ones know that she got surgery… You can always chalk it up to a good night’s sleep!

Facelift Neck Lift before and after treatment in CA - Facelift Palo Alto

Bay Area gentleman transforms after L&P Signature Lift

We are performing our L&P Signature Facelift and Neck Lift on more men than ever. In this case Drs. Lieberman and Parikh combined it with tissue contouring and a fat transfer to strengthen his jawline and restore facial volume that is lost over time. He looks more youthful and his features are much more defined, but no one would think he had “work done.”

Facelift Neck Lift before and after treatment in Los Gatos, CA

L&P Facelift & Neck Lift For Full Transformation

Before her surgery this patient felt more self conscious about her presentation. She is naturally such a kind, warm and friendly person. She told us that making the choice to undergo rejuvenation surgery not only changed the way she appears but has made a huge impact on the way she feels about herself.

Recovery and Beyond

For 1 to 2 weeks after a fat transfer, you can expect to have some bruising and swelling in both the incision areas and transfer area and should plan on taking at least one week off from your regular activities. Some redness and irritation make also occur in the transfer area as the additional volume becomes incorporated into your body. Please stay out of the sun as much as possible and always cover the area with a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen.

We will send you home with a compression garment to wear over the harvest area for 1 to 2 weeks, and during that time you should avoid soaking the area in water. In time, most patients see a noticeable difference in their facial contours and love the results of a fat transfer with our surgeons.

Facelift FAQs

These are common areas where fat transfer is often utilized for facial rejuvenation:

  • Marionette lines – frown lines
  • Temples – crow’s feet
  • Tear troughs
  • Malar areas – cheeks
  • Nasolabial folds – smile lines
  • Jawline
  • Acne scars and facial creases

Our facial plastic surgeons often perform fat transfer in conjunction with other procedures such as a facelift, the L&P Lift, blepharoplasty and brow lift to enhance the overall results.

A facelift alone will lift the skin but additional volume is often needed to restore the natural curvature of one’s face. Performing fat grafting during another operation not only produces more balanced results but is also more convenient for the patient than undergoing a separate procedure.

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