Facial fat grafting, also known as facial fat transfer, is a minimally invasive procedure that uses your own fat to rejuvenate your appearance. When we lose facial volume over time, we can start to take on a hollow or gaunt appearance that makes us look older. Facial fat grafting offers a simple yet effective long-term solution to addressing your aesthetic concerns, all without the use of temporary synthetic fillers or more extensive surgery.
At The Maercks Institute, we are committed to helping our patients improve their appearance and quality of life with surgical and non-surgical procedures that truly make a difference. Our team is led by Dr. Rian A. Maercks, a board-certified aesthetic, craniofacial, and reconstructive plastic surgeon. Dr. Maercks has extensive experience with facial fat grafting, particularly using the advanced micro fat grafting or ‘microdroplet’ technique. He also offers Renuva and Lipoderma as alternatives to using your own fat; these reliable products have revolutionized fat grafting, eliminating the need for liposuction. Dr. Maercks is a preferred practitioner for Lipoderma, and he crafts their protocols and designs treatments.
To learn more about facial fat grafting, please contact us online or call (305) 328-8256.
Before and After Photos
About Facial Fat Grafting
Facial fat grafting is a refined technique in which Dr. Maercks uses your own natural fatty tissue and stem cells to soften folds and wrinkles, restore youthful volume, and enhance facial contours. Dr. Maercks gently harvests from an area of the body with sufficient reserves using liposuction, then meticulously purifies it to ensure its vitality.
Once prepared, he will strategically inject the fat into the predetermined areas, where it will seamlessly integrate with existing tissues over time. In addition to restoring volume, the transplanted fat brings beneficial growth factors and stem cells that contribute to overall skin rejuvenation. The result is a refreshed, harmoniously enhanced appearance that maintains your authentic look, but makes you appear more radiant. (1)
What Makes Dr. Maercks’ Micro Fat Grafting Technique Different?
Dr. Maercks achieves exceptional results with his micro fat grafting technique during a facial fat transfer. This technique uses ultra-refined micro-droplets of purified fat, allowing for unparalleled precision, smoother integration, and more natural-looking outcomes. Dr. Maercks can meticulously layer these microdroplets during the injection phase to delicately restore stunning volume.
Renuva and Lipoderma
Dr. Maercks’ practice is a premier destination for innovative treatments like Renuva and Lipoderma. These are two FDA-approved adipose injectables made from purified donor fat. Not only do they act as outstanding alternatives to traditional fat grafting, but they also contain various components that enhance and stimulate your body’s natural regenerative processes. These products have revolutionized plastic surgery and are often considered more reliable compared to conventional methods.
As previously mentioned, Dr. Maercks is a preferred practitioner for Lipoderma and has worked extensively with the company to craft their safety protocols and treatments. With this level of expertise, Dr. Maercks effortlessly incorporates these advanced techniques into his facial procedures.
Benefits
There are several benefits of facial fat grafting, including:
- Natural-Looking Enhancements: Because Dr. Maercks uses your own fat, the results look and feel softer and more natural than those that can be achieved with dermal fillers.
- Restored Volume: Facial fat grafting can address volume loss, sagging, and hollowing in several areas of the face, such as the cheeks, under-eyes, and temples.
- Youthful-Looking Appearance: Dr. Maercks can soften wrinkles, creases, and fine lines, restoring a smoother, younger look.
- Lasting Results: After the fat establishes its own blood supply, it will remain in place indefinitely in many cases.
- Minimally Invasive Treatment: Facial fat grafting only requires small incisions for liposuction and can be performed without general anesthesia.
- High Safety Profile: Because the fat is taken from your own body, it is fully biocompatible and carries fewer risks compared to synthetic mediums.
- Dual Benefits: The liposuction portion of the procedure leaves the donor areas looking more slender and contoured.
- Improved Skin Texture: Due to the presence of stem cells and growth factors within the fat, patients can benefit from rejuvenated skin on the surface as well.
- Enhanced Confidence: Many patients express feeling more confident about their appearance after replenishing volume and enhancing key features.
- Advanced Alternatives: Dr. Maerks offers both Renuva and Lipoderma in addition to traditional autologous methods. These ready-to-use fat products can be safely and reliably used to restore facial volume, especially for those who do not have enough natural fat.
- Tailored Treatment Plans: Dr. Maercks designs each facial fat grafting procedure around your specific concerns and anatomy, ensuring the results align with your treatment goals. No procedure at The Maercks Institute is one-size-fits-all!
Candidates
Facial fat grafting can benefit anyone interested in restoring lost facial volume, enhancing certain features, or improving overall facial symmetry and balance. Anyone considering this procedure should be in good overall health and have realistic expectations for their results. Patients should also be nonsmokers or willing to quit using nicotine for the designated time period.
Patients undergoing autologous fat grafting must have sufficient excess fat; this requirement does not apply to patients receiving Renuva or Lipoderma.
Dr. Maercks will evaluate each candidate’s medical history and facial anatomy to determine their candidacy during their consultation.
Personal Consultation
During your personal consultation, Dr. Maercks will meet with you individually and ask you about your medical history, concerns, and treatment goals. He will also assess your overall facial anatomy and potential donor areas to harvest fat from.
He will use these details to determine your candidacy and create your treatment plan. He will explain what the procedure can accomplish and dedicate time to answering any questions you may have.
To schedule your consultation, please contact us online or call our Miami office directly at (305) 328-8256.
Preparation
After your procedure is scheduled, you will be given a set of detailed pre-operative instructions to help you prepare. Common guidelines include:
- Discontinue any blood-thinning medications and supplements as instructed.
- Stop alcohol and nicotine use well before your procedure and throughout your recovery.
- Take time away from work and other responsibilities to allow for proper healing.
- Arrange transportation home in advance.
- Fill all prescribed medications ahead of time.
Procedure
When you arrive for your procedure, the team cleanses and sanitizes your skin, then numbs the donor and treatment areas with local anesthesia. Dr. Maercks will first use liposuction to remove fat from your selected donor site. Many patients choose to remove fat from areas such as their abdomen, buttocks, or the back of their thighs, or wherever there is enough excess. (2)
Liposuction Procedure
To perform liposuction, Dr. Maercks will make a small incision in the donor area, then inject a tumescent solution into the fat deposits to numb the local tissue, constrict the blood vessels, and swell the fat for easier removal. He will then use a thin cannula to break down and remove the fat.
Purification and Reinjection
Dr. Maercks will then purify and process the extracted fat to ensure only the most viable and healthy cells are being readministered. He will then use a fine needle to inject the fat into the predetermined areas of the face, carefully layering it with the micro fat grafting technique for precise contouring.
Renuva and Lipoderma
These off-the-shelf products are ready to use, meaning patients do not need to undergo liposuction. Dr. Maercks will simply prepare the treatment area and inject the chosen formula, no incisions necessary!
Recovery
At The Maercks Institute, facial fat grafting is an outpatient procedure. This means you will be ready to go home after a brief monitoring period. Stitches are not typically needed after facial fat grafting, and the procedure requires minimal post-treatment care. In any case, Dr. Maercks will provide you with post-operative instructions to help you heal optimally.
You may experience tenderness, bruising, or swelling around the face and donor areas. These effects are temporary and may be managed by following aftercare instructions.
Most patients return to work within one to two weeks, but you will need to avoid high-impact or physically demanding activities until Dr. Maercks approves. Recovery from Renuva and Lipoderma treatments will be shorter, as they are less invasive.
Results
You will be able to notice the results of your facial fat grafting procedure as your side effects begin to subside. You may appear “over-filled” at first, but it is important to keep in mind that not all the fat will survive. A portion of the fat will be resorbed by the body, and surgeons account for this by injecting extra fat. After this stage, the real results become clearer. Dr. Maercks recommends that you wait at least several weeks to determine if your procedure achieved the results you wanted. Final results are often apparent in 3 to 4 months.
Once your results develop, you will be able to enjoy a more voluminous and youthful-looking appearance as wrinkles, sagging, and hollowing are softened and filled. The fat that remains after the resorption period will remain essentially permanently, allowing you to enjoy your renewed appearance for years to come.
Cost of Facial Fat Grafting in Miami, FL
The final cost of your facial fat grafting can vary depending on the areas of the face treated, the amount of fat transferred, and several other factors. During your consultation, Dr. Maercks will provide you with a quote for the cost of your procedure. The Maercks Institute also offers financing options for those who qualify.
To learn more about the costs associated with facial fat grafting, please contact us online or call (305) 328-8256.
FAQ
What areas of the face can be treated with facial fat grafting?
Facial fat grafting is commonly performed on the cheeks, temples, under-eye area, nasolabial folds, lips, jawline, and more.
Is it safe to undergo facial fat grafting?
This procedure is considered quite safe since it uses fat taken from your own body as a filler medium. This reduces the risk of allergic reactions or complications. Dr. Maercks is a leading board-certified plastic surgeon; he is highly qualified for performing facial fat grafting procedures with utmost safety and precision.
What is recovery like after a facial fat grafting procedure?
After the procedure, you may experience temporary swelling or bruising. Most patients can return to their careers within one to two weeks.
How long will the results of my facial fat grafting last?
The results of fat grafting are generally permanent. However, it is important to understand that not all of the transplanted fat will “take,” meaning a portion of the fat will be resorbed by the body during the initial healing process.
Are there any alternatives to using my own fat?
If you do not want to undergo liposuction or do not have enough excess fat, Dr. Maercks may recommend performing your corrections using either Renuva or Lipoderma. These are two injectables composed of purified human fat that are actually considered to be more reliable.
How does facial fat grafting compare to dermal fillers?
Facial fat grafting can provide longer-lasting and more natural-looking results compared to alternatives such as dermal fillers.
References
- Vasavada A, Raggio BS. Autologous Fat Grafting for Facial Rejuvenation. Nih.gov. Published July 31, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557860/#article-21546.s4
- Shauly O, Gould DJ, Ghavami A. Fat Grafting: Basic Science, Techniques, and Patient Management. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2022;10(3):e3987. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000003987