Preparation Tips for Facial Fat Transfer

Loss of fat from your facial features is a natural aspect of aging that can make areas like your cheeks and under your eyes look hollow, as well as lead to lines and wrinkles. While many people turn to dermal fillers to boost this missing volume, these treatments are short-lasting, requiring touch-ups for as long as you want to keep your enhancements. Facial fat transfer, on the other hand, restores your facial volume with your own fat for lasting results.

What is Facial Fat Transfer (Facial Fat Grafting)?

Facial fat transfer is a type of fat grafting. Dr. Lanfranchi uses a small cannula and a small incision to harvest fat from a donor area of your body, then purifies and prepares these fat cells before injecting them into areas of the face such as:

• The cheek area to sculpt and restore fullness
• Under the eyes to fill in tear troughs
• Nasolabial fold, marionette lines, and other wrinkles caused by volume loss

This fat will establish itself in its new location, and these fat cells will remain alive and healthy, making facial fat transfer a completely natural option with none of the synthetically produced materials of dermal fillers. 

Preparation Tips for Facial Fat Transfer

The first step in preparing for facial fat transfer is a consultation with Dr. Lanfranchi, allowing him to answer your questions and discuss the procedure in detail. Other tips to make recovery easier and achieve your best results include:

Maintain a Consistent Weight

During your consultation, Dr. Lanfranchi will assess whether you have enough fat for the procedure and where he plans to collect it. If you lose weight before your procedure and are already slim, you may not have enough fat to transfer. 

Stay Physically Healthy

Your recovery will go more smoothly if you are in good health before your facial fat transfer. Engage in a healthy level of physical activity and eat nutritious foods. It is also vital to quit smoking if you are a smoker and to avoid NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, and others). You may also be instructed to change or stop taking other medications. 

Prepare for Recovery

Most people feel very little discomfort after facial fat transfer. However, your body will still need at least a few days to rest. You should plan to take a few days off from work and all but light activities before getting back to your routine.

What is Recovery Like After Facial Fat Transfer?

You may experience some swelling after your procedure, both in your face and in the donor area, but minimal discomfort. Most people can return to moderate levels of activity, including returning to work and their usual routine within seven to ten days. Your surgeon may recommend limiting strenuous exercise for up to two weeks. Some swelling can remain for several months. 

Take The First Step – Request A Consultation

Ready to learn more about facial fat transfer?The first step is to come in for an in-person consultation with Dr. Lanfranchi. Please fill out the form on this page to request a consultation or call our office directly at (702 )929-3880 during normal business hours (please leave a message if we are unable to answer). The Lanfranchi Center serves the Las Vegas and Henderson, NV areas.