Autologous
Fat Grafting

Good candidates have noticeable facial volume loss — hollowed temples, a deflated midface, prominent tear troughs, sunken cheeks, or a skeletonised appearance around the jawline — and have sufficient donor fat at a suitable harvest site. Candidates should be in good general health, be non-smokers or willing to stop smoking before surgery, and have realistic expectations about the recovery process and graft take. Very lean patients with minimal body fat may not have sufficient donor material — this is assessed at consultation.

Fat graft survival depends on harvesting technique, processing method, injection technique, and patient biology. With meticulous micro-droplet injection and careful handling, survival rates of 50 to 70 percent are typically achieved at stable long-term follow-up. For this reason, surgeons intentionally overgraft slightly to account for expected resorption — and the final settled result is assessed at three to six months. Secondary touch-up fat grafting is occasionally performed to refine areas where take was lower than anticipated.

The two treatments serve different patients in different circumstances. Fillers are excellent for patients seeking reversible, non-surgical volumisation with minimal downtime and immediate results. Fat grafting is more appropriate for patients with significant volume loss, those who prefer a permanent biological solution, or those undergoing concurrent surgery where fat grafting can be incorporated efficiently. Fat grafting also uniquely improves skin quality through its stem cell content — an effect fillers cannot replicate. Both have their place, and the right choice depends entirely on each patient's anatomy, goals, and tolerance for recovery.

Fat is most commonly harvested from the abdomen, flanks, inner thighs, or outer thighs — areas where fat is typically accessible in sufficient volume and easily reached. The donor site is chosen at consultation based on availability of fat, patient preference, and access logistics during surgery. The harvest is performed through tiny cannulas under tumescent anaesthesia, leaving no visible scars and providing modest contouring at the donor site.

Recovery from fat grafting involves two sites: the face and the donor site. Facial swelling is the primary concern — it is typically more pronounced than with filler, and patients should expect their face to appear fuller than the final result during the first two to four weeks. The donor site may have mild bruising and swelling, managed with a light compression garment for one to two weeks. Most patients are comfortable being seen socially by three to four weeks. Final settled results, reflecting true graft take, are assessed at three to six months.

Yes — and this is the most powerful combination in facial rejuvenation surgery. A deep plane facelift addresses structural descent — lifting the SMAS, releasing the ligaments, and repositioning the facial soft tissues. Fat grafting simultaneously addresses volume depletion — restoring the fullness that ageing has removed from the midface, temples, and perioral region. Together, they address both the positional and volumetric dimensions of facial ageing in a single, coordinated procedure, producing a result of exceptional naturalness and longevity.

Not when performed correctly and conservatively. Overfilling is a known pitfall of fat grafting in inexperienced hands — producing a round, heavy, or puffy appearance that looks unnatural. At The Face Institute, we plan graft volumes carefully using pre-operative facial analysis, inject conservatively across multiple anatomical planes, and account for expected resorption without overcorrecting. Our goal is a face that looks rested, replenished, and naturally younger — never overfilled.