Your face is the canvas that tells your life story most powerfully: The light in your smile, the depth in your gaze… However, over time, volume loss may occur in your cheekbones and cheeks; fine lines and hollows may dull your facial expression. If you’re looking for “natural, permanent, and comfortable volume restoration,” Facial Fat Injection Surgery (Autologous Fat Transfer) is perfect for you! This method, offered with our experienced aesthetic team in Istanbul and advanced liposuction + microscopic preparation techniques, gives you both full and smooth facial form with fat cells taken from your own body.

What is Facial Fat Injection Surgery?

Facial fat injection is medically known as “autologous fat transfer.” It is an aesthetic operation where fat tissue stored by your own body is taken from areas like abdomen, hips, or waist via liposuction, processed through special procedures (centrifuge, filtration), and injected into areas of your face with volume loss.

  • How It Works: The extracted fat cells are converted to microcrystals and distributed to the dermis-subcutaneous tissue border of the face; here they provide permanent volume by being nourished with new vessels.
  • Target Areas: Cheekbones, cheek hollows, under-eye depressions, nasolabial (smile) lines, lips, and jawline.
  • Advantages: Completely autologous (your own tissue), zero allergy risk, natural tissue compatibility, long-lasting permanence (similar rates of permanent 60-80%).

Why Choose Facial Fat Injection?

  • Natural Appearance: Filling with your own fat cells offers real soft tissue volume, not artificial feeling.
  • Double Benefit: Both thinning from unwanted areas (abdomen, hips, etc.) and fullness in the face.
  • No Allergy and Reactivity: Minimal risk of redness, allergy, foreign body granuloma that can be seen with synthetic fillers.
  • Long-Term Permanence: 60-80% of fat tissue survives with one session; years-lasting effect unlike temporary fillers.
  • Versatile Use: According to facial focal points, provides facial oval form, under-eye brightening, and lip volume increase.
  • Minimal Scarring and Comfort: Liposuction and injection with fine cannulas, quick healing, mild bruising-swelling.

Who Can Have Facial Fat Injection?

  • Those with Facial Volume Loss and Hollowness: Ages 30-65, those wanting to regain soft tissue volume.
  • Those with Under-Eye Bags or Hollow Under-Eyes: Those wanting to brighten the eye area.
  • Those Needing Cheekbone Emphasis: Those seeking non-surgical lift effect.
  • Those Wanting Chin and Lip Fullness: Those wanting a sharper and younger “V-line” oval.
  • Those with Surgery Fear: Those avoiding incision scars, seeking comfortable healing.

Note: Those with active infection, serious systemic diseases, or bleeding disorders need physician evaluation first.

Pre-Surgery Preparation Process

1. Free Consultation and Planning

  • Facial photographs, target volume points are marked with 3D simulation.
  • Liposuction area (abdomen, hips, waist) selection and fat amount planning.

2. Health Assessment

  • Blood tests, coagulation profile, internal medicine/cardiology consultation if necessary.
  • Those using aspirin/NSAIDs make arrangements 5 days prior with doctor approval.

3. Hydration and Nutrition

Plenty of water consumption, vitamin supplements, and protein support are recommended 48 hours before surgery.

4. Expectation Management

Steps of swelling-bruising in first 2 weeks, permanent volume within 1 month, final form in 3-6 months are explained.

How is Facial Fat Injection Surgery Performed?

  • Anesthesia Selection: Local anesthesia ± sedation or mild general anesthesia.
  • Liposuction: Fat is taken from selected area with fine cannula; minimal scarring with small 2-3 mm incisions.
  • Fat Preparation: Fat cells are purified with microcentrifuge and filtration device.
  • Fat Injection: Controlled volume is given to cheekbone, cheek, under-eye, lip, chin points with fine micro-cannulas.
  • Dressing and Corset: Light bandage to liposuction area, protective strips on face.
  • Operation Duration: Total 60-90 minutes.

The Importance of Doctor Selection

Facial fat injection requires both liposuction and microfiller expertise. The ideal doctor:

  • Aesthetic Surgeon, Plastic Surgeon, or Dermatologist: With autologous fat transfer certification
  • 3D Planning Competence: Expert in digital facial analysis and determining individual volume needs
  • Microsurgery and Filler Experience: Injection technique to keep fat cells alive and ensure tissue compatibility
  • Empathetic Communication: Approach that listens to your goals and transparently explains the most realistic plan
  • Sterile Clinical Standards: Single-use cannula/syringe, hygienic operating room, and luxury service comfort

Surgery Day: What Awaits You?

  • Morning Preparations and Anesthesia Consultation: Vital checks, sedation/general anesthesia decision
  • Liposuction and Injection Process: Completed in comfortable environment in 60-90 minutes
  • Initial Dressing and Cold Application: Bruising-edema control, special cold compress packages
  • Service and Monitoring: Usually same-day or 1-night stay after 2-4 hours observation
  • Home Care Instructions: Rest for first 48 hours, facial massage and hot-cold application guide

Recovery Process

  • Days 1-7: Mild edema, bruising on face is natural; rigid bandage from liposuction area is removed after 2 days.
  • Weeks 1-4: Primary swelling decreases; permanent 50-60% volume emerges on face.
  • Months 1-3: Fat cells strengthen, 70-80% permanent volume settles.
  • Months 6-12: Complete integration, natural form of facial oval stabilizes; long-lasting effect maintained with annual check-up.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does the injection hurt?

With local anesthesia + sedation, most patients say “I was comfortable during the procedure.”

2. How long do bruising and swelling last?

Edema 5-7 days, mild bruising disappears within 7-10 days; we recommend makeup and concealer.

3. How permanent is the fat tissue?

60-80% is preserved in the first year; provides natural appearance for many years with remaining volume.

4. What happens if revision is needed?

Free additional session or touch-up can be planned within one year.

5. When can I return to work?

Return to light office work in 3-5 days, full return to social life is recommended after 2 weeks.