Facial Fat Grafting in Delafield
Your own fullness, returned where time took it.
Facial fat grafting is a surgical procedure in which fat is harvested from a donor site on the patient's own body, processed, and reinjected into the face to restore volume, improve contour, and reduce visible signs of aging. The procedure addresses hollow cheeks, under-eye hollows, nasolabial folds, temple hollowing, and overall facial volume loss using the patient's own adipose tissue, which is considered biocompatible and can produce long-lasting, natural-appearing results.
At a Glance
- Approximately 85% of plastic surgeons report using fat grafting as part of facelift procedures, reflecting widespread clinical adoption[2]
- Autologous fat is considered 100% biocompatible, and studies indicate approximately 80% of patients retain about 80% of grafted fat long-term[4]
- General complication rates for facial fat grafting are estimated at approximately 2%, with bruising and edema being the most common side effects[5]
- Fat is injected in small parcels of approximately 0.1 mL per pass along multiple vectors and tissue depths to promote graft survival[4]
Overview
Facial fat grafting moves a patient’s own fat from the abdomen, thighs, or flanks to the face. The operation has three stages: harvesting the fat, processing it, and reinjecting it. Because the material comes from the patient’s own body, it is considered 100% biocompatible and avoids the risks associated with synthetic materials.
Grafting can replace age-related volume loss in the temples, periorbital region, cheeks, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and lips. The fat is placed in small parcels at several tissue depths to promote vascularization and graft survival, with the goal of restoring a natural, youthful facial contour.
Research indicates that approximately 80% of patients retain about 80% of the grafted fat long-term, although some patients experience more significant resorption. Surgeons typically overcorrect by approximately 20% to account for expected volume loss during early healing. The fat that survives can provide lasting volume.
Fat grafting is often combined with a facelift or another facial rejuvenation procedure. That pairing is ordinary at Consona. A deep plane facelift is among the procedures Dr. Boehm names as a focus. The lift repositions descended tissue but does not replace volume that has been lost, which is the gap grafting fills. Fat transfer is also offered for the breast and body, so harvesting is routine work rather than a step reserved for facial procedures.
What to expect
- Consultation to assess facial volume loss, discuss your goals, evaluate donor sites, and develop a treatment plan
- Pre-operative evaluation including medical history review and any necessary laboratory tests
- Administration of local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia depending on the extent of the procedure
- Infiltration of wetting solution into the selected donor site
- Harvesting of fat from the donor area using low-pressure liposuction through small cannulas
- Processing of harvested fat by sedimentation, centrifugation, or filtration to isolate viable fat cells
- Loading purified fat into small (typically 1 mL) syringes for precise injection
- Injection of fat into targeted facial areas in small parcels along multiple vectors and tissue depths
- Assessment of facial symmetry and volume with additional fat placement as needed
- Application of dressings to donor and recipient sites and post-operative instructions
How a facial fat grafting works
- Fat is usually harvested from the abdomen, flanks, or thighs with low-pressure liposuction through small cannulas. Before harvesting, a wetting solution containing saline, lidocaine, and epinephrine is infiltrated into the donor area.
- The harvested material is processed to separate viable adipocytes from blood, oil, and tumescent fluid. Processing may use gravity sedimentation, centrifugation, or washing and filtration through gauze or strainers.
- The purified fat is loaded into small syringes, typically 1 mL each. It is then injected into the face in parcels of approximately 0.1 mL per pass, following multiple vectors and tissue depths to maximize contact with the surrounding blood supply.
- Each grafted parcel must develop a new blood supply, a process called neovascularization, to survive. Placing the fat in small parcels increases its surface-area-to-volume ratio and improves the likelihood that each parcel receives adequate nutrition from the surrounding tissue.
When it's recommended
- Facial volume loss due to aging
- Hollow cheeks and midface deflation
- Temple hollowing
- Under-eye hollows and tear trough deformity
- Deep nasolabial folds and marionette lines
- Thin lips requiring volume enhancement
- Facial asymmetry correction
- Post-surgical or post-traumatic facial contour irregularities
- Scar depression and soft tissue deficiencies
Is a facial fat grafting right for you?
Reach out to learn more from Dr. Lucas Boehm.
Concerns it addresses
Recovery & aftercare
- Swelling and bruising at both donor and recipient sites are expected and typically peak within the first 2 to 3 days
- Compression garments for the donor site are typically worn for 2 to 3 days after the procedure
- Cool compresses may be applied carefully during the first 3 days, though excessive icing may be avoided to prevent graft loss from vasoconstriction
- The treated facial areas should not be massaged during the early healing period to avoid disrupting fat grafts
- Vigorous activity and strenuous exercise should be avoided for 2 to 3 weeks
- Most patients can return to non-strenuous activities within 1 to 2 weeks as swelling subsides
- Final results typically become apparent over 3 to 6 months as swelling resolves and surviving fat integrates
Alternatives
- Injectable hyaluronic acid fillers (Juvederm, Restylane) for temporary volume restoration
- Calcium hydroxylapatite fillers (Radiesse) for structural volumization
- Poly-L-lactic acid injections (Sculptra) for gradual collagen stimulation
- Facelift surgery for addressing skin and tissue laxity
- Thread lift for mild volume loss and skin tightening
How much does a facial fat grafting cost?
A facial fat grafting at Consona with Dr. Boehm costs around $3,000. The exact amount depends on your unique goals and treatment needs. Schedule a consultation today to learn more and receive a personalized quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Facial fat grafting is a surgical procedure that transfers fat from an area such as the abdomen or thighs to the face. The fat is harvested with liposuction, processed, and reinjected in small amounts to restore volume and improve contour in areas such as hollow cheeks, under-eye hollows, and deep creases.
- The procedure is performed under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, so patients typically do not feel pain during treatment. Mild to moderate discomfort, tightness, and swelling are common afterward at both the donor area and facial injection sites. These symptoms can usually be managed with prescribed pain medication.
- Facial fat grafting has a well-established safety profile when performed by a qualified surgeon. General complication rates are estimated at approximately 2%, with bruising and swelling the most common side effects. As with any operation, it carries risks that a surgeon will discuss during consultation.
- Fat that integrates with the surrounding tissue can provide long-lasting results and is considered a permanent filler material. Studies suggest that approximately 80% of patients retain about 80% of the grafted fat. Some patients choose another session over time to maintain or add to their results.
- Most patients return to non-strenuous activities within 1 to 2 weeks. Swelling and bruising typically peak during the first 2 to 3 days and gradually subside over the following weeks. Strenuous exercise is avoided for 2 to 3 weeks. Final results usually become apparent over 3 to 6 months as swelling resolves.
- Facial fat grafting may not be appropriate for someone who actively smokes, plans significant weight loss, has a condition that impairs wound healing, or takes blood thinners without medical clearance. Someone who previously experienced complete resorption of grafted fat may also be advised to consider another treatment.
- Often. The two procedures address different parts of facial aging. A deep plane facelift repositions tissue that has descended, but it does not replace fat pads that have thinned. A face can therefore be lifted and still look hollow. Grafting restores volume in areas such as the temples, cheeks, and beneath the eyes. Dr. Boehm performs both procedures, so the decision can be made once based on your anatomy rather than through separate consultations with different surgeons.
- Dermal filler is a manufactured gel placed during a clinic visit and metabolized on a known schedule. Grafted fat is the patient’s own tissue, harvested surgically, and the portion that establishes a blood supply remains. Fat grafting is therefore a larger commitment and a more durable treatment. Injectable fillers and biostimulators are also available at Consona. At consultation, the question is which timescale you are trying to address. A first discussion about facial volume rarely needs to begin in an operating room.
- The typical standalone cost is $3,000. Two factors move that figure. The first is scale: treating the temples is a different operation from full-face restoration, and the amount of fat harvested affects time in theatre. The second is whether grafting accompanies another procedure. When it is added to a facelift, it becomes one line within a larger surgical plan rather than a standalone cost. The published figure applies only to standalone facial fat grafting.
Facial Fat Grafting risks & candidacy
Who should avoid this
- Active smoking or nicotine use (impairs graft survival and wound healing)
- Planned significant weight loss or ongoing weight fluctuation (affects fat volume stability)
- Prior complete or near-complete resorption of previously grafted fat
- Extensive burn scarring or radiation therapy at the recipient site
- Coagulopathies or unmanaged anticoagulation therapy
- Active infection at the donor or recipient site
- Uncontrolled diabetes or conditions that impair wound healing
- Immunosuppressive medication requirements
- Insufficient donor site fat for harvesting
Possible risks
- Bruising, swelling, and ecchymosis at both donor and recipient sites (the most common side effects)
- Overcorrection resulting in excessive fullness that may take weeks to resolve
- Undercorrection from insufficient volume or excessive fat resorption
- Contour irregularities or palpable nodules from uneven fat distribution
- Asymmetry between treated areas
- Fat necrosis or lipogranuloma formation
- Infection at the donor or recipient site
- Prolonged edema or erythema
- Donor site deformity from excessive or uneven fat harvesting
- Rare but serious vascular complications including fat embolism
Your surgeon
Care that respects what makes you, you.
Dr. Lucas Boehm is a Wisconsin native, board-certified, fellowship-trained plastic surgeon and the founder of Consona Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics. His practice is dedicated exclusively to aesthetic surgery of the face, nose, breast, and body, with particular expertise in deep plane facelifts, rhinoplasty, and aesthetic breast surgery. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin, and completed his plastic surgery residency there as well. He then pursued an Aesthetic Society-endorsed fellowship in aesthetic surgery under the mentorship of Dr. Bradley Calobrace in Louisville, Kentucky. Known for meticulous attention to detail, he approaches each case with precision and intention. His philosophy emphasizes harmony and balance – enhancing what is already beautiful while ensuring every change feels natural, thoughtful, and uniquely you.
- Board-certified
- Am. Board of Plastic Surgery
- Fellowship-trained
- Aesthetic surgery
- 12+ years
- In practice
Sources & references
This article draws on 5 sources, including peer-reviewed research.
Government & research
Medically reviewed by Dr. Lucas Boehm, MD · Last reviewed: 2026-09-04