Fat Grafting

What is fat grafting?

Facial fat grafting or facial fat injection is the transfer of fat from one area of the body to the face. Dr. Karlinsky uses the rejuvenating effects of fat grafting to drastically reduce facial wrinkles and fine lines. She can also use your fat cells to add fullness under the eyes, to the cheeks, and to the lips. This minor surgical procedure yields extremely natural results for her patients.

Is fat grafting right for me?

Men and women both benefit from the revitalizing results of Dr. Karlinsky’s fat grafting procedure. By re-injecting your own fat cells, Dr. Karlinsky can add fullness throughout the face. She can also make very detailed improvements to your nasolabial folds, eliminating the wrinkles and tiny lines that appear from the corners of the mouth to the nose. These simple changes will drastically improve your self-confidence and restore your youthful glow!

Fat grafting is also highly successful in correcting imperfections from acne or other facial scarring.

How soon can I have fat grafting?

You will have an initial consultation with Dr. Karlinsky to review your cosmetic goals and the procedure details, after which you may schedule your appointment.

When will I see the results of my facial fat grafting?

Fat grafting results are immediate. Just after the procedure your enhancements may appear slightly larger or fuller than you anticipated. As Dr. Karlinsky will explain, fat transfer requires the injection of slightly more volume than desired to allow for the body’s natural absorption during healing. This will resolve itself naturally as your face heals and swelling subsides, resulting in just the enhancement you hoped for.  

How should I prepare for fat grafting?

Very little preparation is needed for facial fat transfer, but smoking must be avoided for the month surrounding the procedure.

How is facial fat transfer performed by Dr. Karlinsky?

Dr. Karlinsky will perform your fat grafting in her office. Most often, only topical and local anesthesia is needed at the site where the fat will be harvested and then on the face where it will be added. Small amounts of fat are removed from one part of the body, often the abdomen, and then purified before being injected into specific areas of the face. Dr. Karlinsky has extensive experience with fat grafting and other facial filler procedures and always pays expert attention to evenly smoothing the fat as its injected.

How long does fat grafting take?

The entire fat transfer procedure takes about 1.5-2 hours.

How long does recovery take?

Recovery from fat transfer is nearly painless. You may experience slight discomfort in the areas where fat was removed or added, but this is easily managed with over-the-counter pain medication. Any swelling or bruising will subside in a week or two.

What are the fat grafting risks?

Since fat transfer involves the use of your own fat cells, side effects are very minimal. As with other cosmetic procedures, the risk of bleeding or infection is possible. Your body will naturally reabsorb some of the fat cells, so it is possible to experience uneven results. These are easily corrected with a brief follow-up procedure.

Patients experiencing any unusual or concerning symptoms are advised to call Dr. Karlinsky’s cell phone immediately.

How long does facial fat transfer last?

Unlike with synthetic facial fillers, facial improvements with fat injections can last for years. Depending of the degree of enhancements, some patients require several injection procedures to achieve optimal results.

How much does fat grafting cost?

During your initial consultation with Dr. Karlinsky all details of this affordable facial enhancement procedure will be explained.

What are Dr. Karlinsky’s patients saying about fat grafting?

Dr. Karlinsky’s fat grafting patients love their naturally younger looking faces. Read about their exciting results.

What are the alternatives to facial fat grafting?

Patients who prefer synthetic facial fillers are in good hands with Dr. Karlinsky, as well. She is highly experienced in the use of a full range of facial enhancement fillers such as Botox, Dysport, Juvederm, Perlane, Radiesse, and Restylane, and will help you choose the product that’s right for you. Fat grafting can also be performed at the same time as a facelift or mini facelift.