Fat Transfer to Face
Mr Olivier Amar - Leading Plastic Surgeon in Chelsea, London
Fat Transfer to Face Surgery: A Natural Facial Rejuvenation Treatment
What is fat transfer to face surgery?
Facial fat transfer is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses your body’s own fat to add volume, recontour and restore volume to facial areas. This innovative technique involves harvesting fat cells through liposuction from areas like the stomach or thighs, processing them to extract the most valuable source of stem cells, and carefully injecting the enriched cells into the face to restore facial volume and youthfulness.
Unlike synthetic alternatives, fat transfer procedures use your body’s own cellular material, eliminating the need for artificial products. The stem cells and growth factors present in processed fat tissue actively contribute to tissue regeneration and healing, making this approach particularly valuable for both cosmetic and reconstructive purposes.
If you look at older people, their face can appear gaunt and drawn. This is due to thinning of the skin and atrophy of fat, muscle and bone from the face.
Your consultation
Whether meeting in person or remotely, your consultation with Mr Olivier Amar provides a comprehensive discussion of your hoped for goals and treatment options. To get the most out of your consultation, we recommend reviewing information about your area of interest beforehand.
During your consultation, Mr Olivier Amar will listen to your desired outcomes and goals, conduct a thorough assessment, present appropriate treatment options and explain procedures in detail. This will include a step-by-step surgical process, required preparation, recovery timeline, scar placement and management, anaesthesia options, and potential risks and complications.
A consultation ensures you receive comprehensive information about all options, and understand both benefits and limitations of proposed procedures. You will have the opportunity to ask as many questions as you wish before you decide the next steps together, including the option to take no action.
Advanced facial restoration
Mr Olivier Amar, a leading expert in fat transfer procedures, brings over two decades of experience in advanced regenerative techniques. Working alongside his father, Dr R. E. Amar – the pioneer of Facial Autologous Muscular Injection (FAMI) – Mr Amar is now at the forefront of research and innovation in this field.
Risks associated with surgery
Every surgical procedure, while performed with the utmost care and expertise, carries inherent risks. Mr Olivier Amar ensures all patients are fully informed about potential complications before proceeding with any treatment.
General surgical risks include post-operative infection, bleeding and haematoma formation, scarring and wound healing complications, and anaesthesia related complications. During your consultation, Mr Olivier Amar will provide detailed information about procedure specific risks, explain preventive measures and safety protocols, answer all questions about potential complications and provide you with all the information needed to make an informed decision.
Preparing for Your Surgery
All surgical procedures are teamwork between the surgeon and the patient. Just as a runner trains for a marathon, preparation is key for optimal recovery.
From the time you book the procedure ensure you maintain regular, gentle exercise, follow a balanced, nutritious diet, ensure adequate sleep and rest, and manage stress levels effectively. Alcohol consumption should be reduced and smoking stopped or minimised. If a patient feels prepared for surgery, they will arrive for their procedure feeling positive which in turn will reduce any anxiety and encourage stress free recovery.
The day before surgery, our dedicated pre-assessment nursing team will reconfirm your admission time, review fasting requirements, address any last minute questions and provide final preparation instructions.
Type of anaesthesia
Fat transfer to face procedures may be performed under local anaesthetic or total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA), a technique of anaesthesia which uses a combination of agents given exclusively via the intravenous route without the use of gas anaesthesia. This means you will sleep comfortably throughout the procedure and wake immediately afterwards with a significantly reduced likelihood of feeling groggy or nauseous. The anaesthesia will be explained to you by your Anaesthetist during the preoperative consultation.
Having surgery under total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) allows you to go home the same day to rest and recuperate. Alternatively, we are happy to arrange the procedure at a hospital with an overnight stay facility, organise a nurse to stay with you overnight, or assist with local accommodation arrangements. Mr Olivier Amar will discuss your anaesthesia options and aftercare support in detail during your consultation.
Recovery Guide
Fat transfer is a straightforward and minimally invasive procedure. As a result, there is minimal downtime required. Immediately post-surgery you can expect to experience mild pain and discomfort which can be managed by a pain killer prescription, provided on the day of surgery by your anaesthetist, if required. Bruising and swelling typically resolves within 5-15 days.
Depending on the type of daily activities, you should be able to resume daily activities within 2-10 days and return to gentle exercise after approximately 3 weeks.
Aftercare Information
One week after surgery you will attend a nurse appointment, at this point your incision sites will be reviewed, stitches removed and initial healing will be assessed. A follow-up consultation with Mr Olivier Amar will be scheduled for six weeks after your surgery to assess your overall recovery.
It is your responsibility to attend all scheduled appointments. Failing to attend appointments or follow post-operative instructions may impact your results and final outcome. Regular monitoring ensures optimal healing progression and early detection of complications. Mr Olivier Amar will discuss the post-operative schedule in detail during your consultation.
Scar placement and management
Any scars in the fat harvesting site are typically minimal and strategically placed in discreet locations like the navel or natural body creases. As a leading London based cosmetic surgeon, Mr Olivier Amar specialises in advanced scar management and prevention techniques. Leading up to your surgery or as part of your post-surgical care, a scar management protocol may be initiated using steroid injections and silicone dressings. A treatment course of Aerolase Neo laser is recommended post-surgery.
The Aerolase Neo laser treatment offers significant benefits for scar improvement:
- Stimulates natural collagen production
- Reduces scar pigmentation
- Improves skin texture and appearance
- Softens scar tissue
- Promotes tissue remodelling
- Accelerates bruise healing
Maintaining your results
The result of fat transfer to face surgery can be best appreciated after 3-6 months. You can expect progressive improvement during healing. A combination of maintaining a steady weight and following post-operative instructions is key to a good result.
Certain lifestyle factors, such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, can increase the risk of complications during and after surgery. The most common impact of smoking before your surgery is that it increases your chances of developing an infection and inhibits your body’s natural healing processes. This is particularly important for fat grafting surgery in which the fat’s viability post-procedure is materially reduced in a smoker population.
What are the benefits of Fat Transfer to Face surgery?
Fat transfer offers several advantages:
- Uses your body’s own tissue instead of artificial fillers or synthetic materials
- Creates natural looking results
- Stem cell enrichment for improved skin quality
- Combines body contouring through liposuction with facial rejuvenation
- Minimally invasive procedure with shorter recovery time
- Harnesses regenerative properties of stem cells
- Results are long lasting, natural and immediate
Fat transfer represents a breakthrough in regenerative medicine, harnessing the power of your body’s natural healing abilities. This innovative procedure utilises your own stem cells and growth factors found in adipose (fat) tissue to regenerate damaged or ageing tissues, restore natural volume and replace lost tissue volume.
Is Fat Transfer to Face surgery right for you?
As we age, facial fat naturally diminishes, leading to hollow cheeks and temples, deep facial lines, loss of facial contours and tired or gaunt appearance. Facial fat transfer effectively addresses these concerns by restoring the soft, curved contours associated with youth. The procedure can:
- Replace lost facial volume
- Smooth deep lines, wrinkles and creepiness of the skin
- Improve skin appearance
- Enhance facial contours
- Create natural looking results
- Improve skin quality through stem cell rejuvenation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is fat transfer to face surgery?
Facial fat transfer is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses your body’s own fat to add volume, recontour and restore volume to facial areas. This innovative technique involves harvesting fat cells through liposuction from areas like the stomach or thighs, processing them to extract the most valuable source of stem cells, and carefully injecting the enriched cells into the face to restore facial volume and youthfulness.
Unlike synthetic alternatives, fat transfer procedures use your body’s own cellular material, eliminating the need for artificial products. The stem cells and growth factors present in processed fat tissue actively contribute to tissue regeneration and healing, making this approach particularly valuable for both cosmetic and reconstructive purposes.
How long does fat transfer to face surgery take?
The length of the procedure varies according to the amount of fat to be reinjected and may take between 60-90 minutes.
Am I suitable for fat transfer to face surgery?
As we age, facial fat naturally diminishes, leading to hollow cheeks and temples, deep facial lines, loss of facial contours and tired or gaunt appearance. Facial fat transfer effectively addresses these concerns by restoring the soft, curved contours associated with youth. The procedure can:
- Replace lost facial volume
- Smooth deep lines, wrinkles and creepiness of the skin
- Improve skin appearance
- Enhance facial contours
- Create natural looking results
- Improve skin quality through stem cell rejuvenation
What is autologous fat transfer surgery?
Autologous fat transfer is a medical term for fat transfer surgery, where fat is taken from one area of your body and then transferred to another. The key aspect of this procedure is that the fat used comes from the same individual, meaning it is “autologous” (originating from your own body).
Therefore, all fat transfer surgeries are considered autologous fat transfer procedures, as they involve using your own fat to enhance or restore volume in different areas of the body or face.
How can smoking and alcohol affect the results of my fat grafting surgery?
Certain lifestyle factors can increase the risk of complications during and after your surgery. The most common impact of smoking before your surgery is that it increases your chances of developing an infection and inhibits your body’s natural healing processes.
We insist that all patients stop smoking and using nicotine products at least six weeks before surgery. Reducing alcohol intake is also strongly advised. This is particularly important for fat grafting surgery in which the fat’s viability post-procedure is materially reduced in a smoker population.
how many fat cells will survive the procedure?
Between 50 and 70 percent of the fat cells that are transferred during the procedure will survive, as they establish a blood supply and integrate into the surrounding tissue, meaning the results are permanent. Mr Olivier Amar will allow for this in his initial evaluation of the amount of fat to be injected.
WHERE WILL THE INCISIONS BE POSITIONED?
Any scars in the fat harvesting site are typically minimal and strategically placed in discreet locations like the navel or natural body creases. During the fat harvesting, small incisions of around 0.5cm will be made.
Is fat transfer to face surgery painful?
Fat transfer is a straightforward and minimally invasive procedure. As a result, there is minimal downtime required. Immediately post-surgery you can expect to experience mild pain and discomfort which can be managed by a pain killer prescription, provided on the day of surgery by your anaesthetist, if required. Bruising and swelling typically resolves within 5-15 days.
When can I return to exercise after surgery?
Depending on the type of daily activities, you should be able to resume daily activities within 2-10 days and return to gentle exercise after approximately 3 weeks.
How should I prepare for surgery?
From the time you book the procedure ensure you maintain regular, gentle exercise, follow a balanced, nutritious diet, ensure adequate sleep and rest, and manage stress levels effectively. Alcohol consumption should be reduced and smoking stopped or minimised. If a patient feels prepared for surgery, they will arrive for their procedure feeling positive which in turn will reduce any anxiety and encourage stress free recovery.
WHEN WILL I SEE THE RESULTS from SURGERY?
The result of fat transfer to face surgery can be best appreciated after 3-6 months. You can expect progressive improvement during healing. A combination of maintaining a steady weight and following post-operative instructions is key to a good result.
CAN ANY OTHER PROCEDURES BE DONE AT THE SAME TIME?
For enhanced outcomes, fat transfer to face surgery can be combined with Reverse by Aerolase to boost skin radiance and reduce visible signs of ageing. With its gentle yet powerful energy output, Reverse by Aerolase promotes the natural process of collagen production, resulting in improved skin elasticity and structural integrity. This boost in collagen enhances the skin’s resilience, elasticity, and texture.
Mr Olivier Amar can utilise fat removed from your body to naturally augment other areas of the body, such as the breasts and buttocks. Fat removal through liposuction with fat transfer breast augmentation or fat transfer to thighs and buttocks can improve your body’s overall harmony and proportions.
Meet Olivier Amar – Leading Plastic Surgeon in Chelsea, London
Mr Olivier Amar is a renowned London based consultant plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon specialising in face, breast and body surgery, advanced non-surgical facial rejuvenation, hair loss treatments and regenerative medicine. With over 15 years of experience, Mr Olivier Amar has earned a reputation among both patients and peers alike for transforming cosmetic surgery into an art form.
“Cosmetic surgery is a demanding profession and patient expectations are high. But I am a doctor first and a surgeon second. My only concern is the patient in front of me, fulfilling their needs and managing their expectations. My work is intense; it means everything to me and is my lifelong passion.”
Mr Amar’s commitment to precision and refinement extends through every aspect of patient care, from initial consultation to post-operative support. All treatments take place at his private practice in Chelsea, London. Working alongside Mr Amar is a highly skilled team of dedicated nurses, experienced anaesthetists from leading NHS and private hospitals, and specialised management staff. This collaborative approach ensures comprehensive, world class care for all patients.
Before & After – What our Fat Transfer to Face patients say
Our female patient, aged 48, had upper and lower blepharoplasty plus fat transfer to orbital area surgery.
“Mr Olivier Amar is, in my view, one of the most talented surgeons specialising in anti-ageing. I still remember that rare feeling I had when I met Mr Amar; I was sure he was the right surgeon for me.
I found him to be refreshingly honest, and in agreement with me, that surgery was the only way to ‘turn back the clock’. After my recent procedure, I can attest to the naturalness of the outcome. I couldn’t be more pleased.”
How can I compliment my overall result?
Express PRP treatment
The goal of PRP treatment is to rejuvenate your skin and encourage new collagen.
