Facial Fat Grafting

Facial Fat Grafting San Francisco, CA | Ethos Plastic Surgery

Facial volume loss is a natural part of the aging process and can affect the appearance of the cheeks, temples, under-eye area, lips, jawline, and other areas. Facial fat grafting (fat injections, autologous fat transfer) can be a highly effective treatment to replenish this lost volume, restore a more youthful appearance, and improve confidence. 

Facial fat transfer involves injecting purified fat, taken via liposuction from the patient’s own body, into areas of the face that have lost volume. Additionally, facial fat grafting can smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. Fat grafting offers the dual benefit of removing unwanted excess fat from the body and restoring it to places where it is desired. 

Harvard-trained plastic surgeon Dr. Ginger Xu uses the latest techniques and equipment to ensure the highest level of safety, comfort, and results. At Ethos Plastic Surgery, our philosophy is to provide unparalleled care with a soft, gentle approach that allows your natural beauty to shine through.

To learn more about facial fat grafting with Dr. Xu, contact us online or call (415) 506-4300 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Xu. Our team is committed to providing personalized care and exceptional results to help you look and feel your best.

What is Facial Fat Grafting?

Facial fat grafting reverses the effects of aging by restoring volume and fullness to specific facial areas. The technique involves the use of liposuction to extract fat from a donor site on the body, such as the abdomen or thighs. The harvested fat is then carefully processed and purified to ensure optimal quality and viability. Dr. Xu reinjects the purified fat into targeted areas of the face, including the cheeks, temples, and under-eye regions, to achieve a rejuvenated and youthful appearance.

The hallmark of facial fat grafting is its ability to deliver natural-looking and long-lasting results without the use of synthetic fillers or implants. The technique is highly customizable and can be tailored to suit the unique needs and goals of each patient. Moreover, facial fat grafting can be seamlessly integrated with other cosmetic procedures, such as a facelift, to enhance the overall outcome and create a more comprehensive rejuvenation of the face.

Fat grafting can also be used as a natural way to subtly augment the chin or add volume to the lips, creating a more balanced and proportionate facial appearance. Additionally, it can restore a sunken appearance in the sulcus of the upper eyelids, which can occur as a result of aging. One of the key advantages of using your own fatis that it brings in stem cells within the fat, which can improve the quality and texture of the skin. This can result in improved blood flow, complexion, and radiance to the skin. This procedure also only involves tiny injection sites in the skin rather than incisions, so patients can enjoy the benefits without the visible scarring or downtime associated with more invasive procedures.

Dr. Xu – Ivy League-Trained Plastic Surgeon

A highly skilled and compassionate plastic surgeon, Dr. Xu has a passion for delivering natural-looking results to her patients. She takes the time to understand each individual’s unique needs and goals and forms a genuine connection to ensure they receive the best care possible.

Dr. Xu completed a rigorous seven-year residency program in plastic surgery at UCSF, where she honed her surgical skills and gained extensive knowledge in the field of plastic surgery. Following her residency, she went on to complete an additional year of specialty training through Harvard’s cosmetic surgery fellowship. This fellowship focused specifically on facelifts, which includes specialized training in facial fat grafting techniques as a way to augment facial rejuvenation results. 

Above all, Dr. Xu is dedicated to providing the highest level of surgical excellence, patient safety, and medical ethics. Her commitment to her craft and her patients is demonstrated through her extensive training and education, positive patient relationships, and meticulous attention to detail.

board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ginger Xu

Meet Dr. Ginger Xu

Dr. Xu embraces the responsibility and transformative opportunity to alter a patient’s appearance in a way that is congruent with their own values and matches a more cohesive sense of self; to realign the external with the internal; to create an improved emotional landscape and a better life. These ideals captivate and inspire her every day.

What are the Benefits of Facial Fat Grafting?

Facial fat transfer offers numerous patient benefits, including:

  • Restores lost volume and shape to the face
  • Provides a natural-looking and long-lasting result
  • Is a minimally invasive procedure with a low risk of complications
  • Uses the patient’s own fat, reducing the risk of rejection or allergic reactions
  • Provides double benefits by removing excess fat from one area and using it to enhance another
  • Can improve the appearance of wrinkles, creases, and scars
  • Enhances facial symmetry and proportion
  • Results in minimal scarring
  • Brings in stem cells with the fat, which have the added benefit of improving skin quality and texture     
  • Can be combined with other facial rejuvenation procedures (facelift, neck lift, blepharoplasty, lip lift, etc.)

Does Facial Fat Transfer Look Natural?

Some people may be hesitant to undergo this procedure because they worry about looking unnatural, “fake,” or overdone. There is a risk in untrained hands of overdoing the procedure and injecting too much fat; however, under Dr. Xu’s care, the goal of the procedure is to restore the face to a more youthful and refreshed version of oneself, similar to how they may have looked in their 20s. It’s important to find a surgeon with the skills and experience to provide natural-looking results

Dr. Xu believes in the concept of “soft, gentle beauty,” an aesthetic philosophy that is reflected in every aspect of Ethos Plastic Surgery. Our team’s signature Bay Area aesthetic blends sophistication and refinement to deliver natural-looking results. Dr. Xu is dedicated to helping you achieve your desired fat grafting outcome while ensuring that you look younger, refreshed, and entirely natural.

Your San Francisco Facial Fat Grafting Consultation with Dr. Xu

Your consultation with Dr. Xu for facial fat grafting is an important step in achieving your desired outcome. This one-on-one meeting allows you to discuss your concerns and ask any questions you may have about the procedure. During the consultation, Dr. Xu will explain all aspects of the procedure in detail, including the benefits and potential risks, to ensure that you are a good candidate for facial fat grafting.

Dr. Xu will also take the time to understand your goals and concerns to help determine the best approach to achieve the most natural and beautiful results. She will review your medical history and any medications you may be taking, so it’s important to be open and honest about your health history to ensure a safe and successful procedure.

At Ethos Plastic Surgery, we believe that every patient deserves care and attention. Dr. Xu will take the time to listen to your unique needs and concerns to create a custom treatment plan that is tailored to your specific goals. 

Who is an Ideal Candidate for Facial Fat Grafting?

An ideal candidate for facial fat grafting is someone who wants to restore volume and fullness to their face that has been lost due to the natural aging process. They should be in good overall health, have realistic expectations, and be willing to follow pre- and post-operative instructions carefully. While having excess fat stores is helpful, it is not necessary as Dr. Xu is almost always able to extract the necessary fat from even the thinnest patients. Each patient is unique, and it’s best to consult with a qualified plastic surgeon to determine if facial fat grafting is a suitable option for your individual needs and goals.

Partner With Dr. Ginger Xu, a Leading Female Plastic Surgeon in San Francisco

Dr. Xu firmly believes plastic surgery is an expression of self-love, body positivity, and emphasizing natural results. She can relate to why you may want to have a cosmetic procedure done and advise you on the best ways to reach your desired results.

“In modern culture, we face a unique set of challenges from social messaging about idealized appearances and body types. Sometimes, it’s hard to separate society’s noise from your beliefs and values. I can understand what it’s like to navigate this while also trying to stay true to what you want for your body, on your terms, regardless of what other people think or how it fits into norms. Ultimately, doing what’s right for you is the greatest act of self-care.”

Natural Chin Augmentation with Fat Grafting

What is Natural Chin Augmentation with Fat Transfer?

Natural chin augmentation with fat grafting is a gentler, and less invasive option to enhance chin contour and projection when compared to synthetic chin implants. By using your body’s own fat cells, this technique minimizes the risks of allergies or rejection while delivering natural-looking results. The chin’s structure is pivotal for facial harmony and influences the nose’s appearance, jawline definition, and overall facial symmetry. Sculpting the chin can improve facial balance, create a more proportionate appearance, and boost self-esteem.

How a Natural Chin Augmentation with Fat Transfer Works

As with other fat transfer procedures, chin augmentation via fat grafting begins with fatty tissue being harvested from your body, usually from areas like the abdomen or thighs, through a gentle liposuction process. After purification, the fat cells are carefully injected into the chin to create a more defined line and to enhance symmetry. Dr. Xu’s precision in fat placement allows for tailored adjustments that naturally improve your facial structure. 

What To Expect After a Chin Augmentation with Fat Grafting

Natural chin augmentation with fat grafting typically offers long-lasting results, with some variability depending on how the body absorbs the injected fat. Patients often see a significant, yet natural-looking enhancement in chin contour and projection. Recovery is relatively quick, with most individuals resuming normal activities within a week, though minor swelling may persist for a few weeks. The procedure itself, which takes about an hour, involves minimal discomfort and downtime compared to synthetic implants.

Schedule Your Facial Fat Grafting Consultation Today!

If you’re interested in revitalizing your appearance and restoring your confidence, connect with us by scheduling a consultation online or by calling (415) 506-4300. During your appointment, Dr. Xu will discuss all of the available options and help determine if facial fat grafting is the best approach for achieving your desired outcome. Dr. Xu and the Ethos Plastic Surgery team are excited to hear from you!

FAQs

Bay Area Fat Grafting

Facial fat grafting is a valuable addition to a facelift procedure that can restore volume and fullness to the face, which may not be addressed by a facelift alone. The two procedures act differently, achieve different goals, and are not interchangeable. In a patient with panfacial aging who is ready for a facelift, there is almost always some loss of volume and thus a potential benefit achieved by adding facial fat grafting. Fat grafting can be used in areas that are otherwise difficult to address with a facelift, such as around the eyes and around the lips. The procedure can smooth out wrinkles and provide more definition to the face. Lastly, there is also the added benefit of stem cells brought in by the fat which improves skin quality and texture, creating more radiance and glow. 

Results are permanent in that the fat that is transferred and survives will always remain. The improvement in appearance can last for many years, with some patients reporting results that last up to a decade or more. However, surgery “resets the clock” but does not turn back the clock – meaning that the natural aging process will continue and overall fat resorption and aging related changes will continue to unfold. It is important to note that the longevity of the results can vary depending on factors such as the patient’s age, the amount of fat that was transferred, and the location of the injection sites. Additionally, the body’s natural aging process and lifestyle factors, such as sun exposure and smoking, can also affect the longevity of the results.

The downtime for facial fat transfer can vary depending on the extent of the procedure, the areas treated, and the individual’s healing process. In general, patients can expect some swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort after the procedure. The swelling and bruising typically peak within the first few days and gradually subside over the following weeks. Patients may be advised to avoid strenuous activities and exercise for a few days to a week and to sleep with their head elevated to help reduce swelling. Most patients are able to return to work and other normal activities within a week or two. However, patients must follow the specific aftercare instructions provided by Dr. Xu to ensure the best possible results and a smooth recovery.

The cost of facial fat grafting can vary depending on factors like the surgeon’s experience and expertise, the location of the practice, the extent of the procedure, and the amount of fat being transferred. It is important to note that this cost may also include other associated expenses such as anesthesia, facility fees, and preoperative medical tests. It is recommended to schedule a consultation to get a more accurate estimate of the cost of the procedure. Additionally, it’s important to consider the quality and safety of the procedure over cost when choosing a plastic surgeon.

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