Facial Fat Grafting (Fat Transfer)
Natural Facial Volume Restoration in Newport Beach & Beverly Hills
A youthful face is defined not only by smooth skin, but also by balanced facial volume. As we age, the face gradually loses fat in areas such as the cheeks, temples, and under-eye region, leading to hollowing, shadows, and a tired appearance.
Facial fat grafting, also called fat transfer, restores youthful contours by using your own natural fat to replenish areas that have lost volume.
Dr. Monica Kieu performs precise facial fat grafting in Newport Beach and Beverly Hills, focusing on subtle, natural rejuvenation that enhances facial harmony without creating an overfilled look.
What Is Facial Fat Grafting?
Facial fat grafting is a surgical technique that transfers fat from one area of the body to areas of the face that need volume.
The procedure involves three steps:
Fat Harvesting – A small amount of fat is gently removed using liposuction from areas such as the abdomen or thighs.
Fat Purification – The harvested fat is carefully processed to isolate healthy fat cells.
Precision Injection – Dr. Kieu strategically places the purified fat into specific facial areas using specialized micro-cannulas.
Because the procedure uses your own tissue, fat transfer offers a natural alternative to synthetic fillers and can provide long-lasting facial rejuvenation.
Areas Commonly Treated With Facial Fat Transfer
Fat grafting can restore volume and soften shadows in many areas of the face, including:
Under-eye hollows (tear troughs)
Cheeks and midface
Temples
Nasolabial folds
Marionette lines
Jawline
Lips
Strategic fat placement can restore youthful contours while maintaining natural facial movement and expression.
Benefits of Facial Fat Grafting
Patients seeking facial rejuvenation in Newport Beach and Beverly Hills often choose fat transfer for several reasons.
Natural Material
Fat grafting uses your own tissue, eliminating the risk of allergic reactions or foreign materials.
Long-Lasting Results
A portion of the transferred fat establishes a blood supply and becomes a permanent part of the facial tissue.
Soft, Natural Appearance
Fat integrates with surrounding tissue, producing a natural feel and appearance.
Subtle Facial Rejuvenation
Restoring lost volume can improve facial harmony without drastically changing your features.
Fat Grafting vs. Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are a popular non-surgical option for facial volume restoration, but fat grafting offers several differences.
Dermal Fillers
• Temporary results (typically 6–18 months)
• Synthetic material
• Requires ongoing maintenance treatments
Fat Grafting
• Uses your own natural tissue
• Potentially long-lasting results
• Can restore larger areas of volume loss
Many patients choose fat transfer when they want a more natural and longer-lasting approach to facial rejuvenation.
Fat Grafting Procedure
Facial fat grafting is typically performed as an outpatient procedure.
A small amount of fat is harvested from the body using gentle liposuction. The fat is then carefully processed and injected into specific facial areas using precise, layered techniques.
Dr. Kieu focuses on conservative fat placement, which helps achieve natural facial balance and reduces the risk of an overfilled appearance.
Fat grafting can also be combined with other procedures such as:
rhinoplasty
eyelid surgery
facelift
neck lift
to enhance overall facial rejuvenation.
Recovery After Facial Fat Transfer
Recovery from fat grafting is generally mild.
Patients may experience:
mild swelling
bruising
temporary fullness in treated areas
Most swelling improves within 1–2 weeks, and many patients return to normal activities within a week.
Final results continue to refine as the transferred fat stabilizes over several months.
Results of Facial Fat Grafting
A percentage of transferred fat naturally absorbs during healing. The remaining fat cells establish a blood supply and become living tissue within the face.
When performed with careful technique, facial fat grafting can provide long-lasting improvement in facial volume and contour.
The goal is natural rejuvenation—restoring youthful contours while preserving your unique facial identity.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Fat Grafting?
You may be a candidate for facial fat grafting in Newport Beach or Beverly Hills if you:
notice hollowing in the cheeks, temples, or under eyes
want a natural alternative to dermal fillers
desire longer-lasting facial volume restoration
are undergoing another facial surgery and want enhanced results
A consultation with Dr. Kieu will determine whether fat grafting is the right treatment for your goals.
Facial Fat Grafting FAQ
How long does fat grafting last?
Results can be long-lasting because the surviving fat cells become a permanent part of the facial tissue.
Is fat grafting better than fillers?
Both treatments have benefits. Fillers are non-surgical and temporary, while fat grafting uses your own tissue and may provide longer-lasting results.
How much downtime is required?
Most patients return to normal activities within about a week, though mild swelling may persist longer.
Can fat grafting be combined with other procedures?
Yes. Fat transfer is commonly combined with procedures such as facelift, rhinoplasty, or eyelid surgery to enhance overall facial rejuvenation.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are considering facial fat grafting in Newport Beach or Beverly Hills, a consultation with Dr. Monica Kieu can help determine the best approach for restoring natural facial volume.
Contact our office today to schedule your consultation.