At Kensington Medical we specialise in facial fat transfer. Whether it's helping with hollows under the eyes, adding volume to the face or helping lift some of those wrinkles our plastic surgeons have decades of experience and can help. It is often carried out following a facelift or eye lift surgery to help rejuvenate the face and eyes.
A fat transfer is a cosmetic procedure that removes the patients own natural fat cells from one area of the body and deposits them into another area of the face. After the extraction process, our plastic surgeon injects the fat cells into areas of the face to restore facial structure and contours, enhancing features such as the cheeks, temples, jawline and hallows under the eyes.
Fat transfer or lipofilling is used to replace dermal fillers and is a more permanent way to add volume and rejuvenate the face. Patients who decide on fat transfer because they want a natural and long-lasting result.
Downtime is minimal and because it is your own fat cells there is a low risk of allergic reaction.
Plastic Surgeons have used the fat transfer procedure in cosmetic surgery for decades. Many patients who decide to have a facelift incorporate fat transfer to give added volume to the cheek area. Facial ageing is often due to the depletion of bony and fat deposits, which can result in looking gaunt and a tired face. Fat transfer can restore lost volume and rejuvenate facial contours.
Fat grafting is a surgical procedure that begins with the careful harvesting of fat from areas such as the abdomen, thighs, or flanks—places where fat is often more abundant. This harvested fat is then processed and purified to isolate the healthiest fat cells, ensuring the best possible outcome for your facial fat transfer procedure. Once prepared, the purified fat is meticulously injected into targeted areas of the face, such as the cheeks, lips, or under the eyes, to restore lost volume and enhance your natural facial features. The fat transfer procedure is performed under local or general anaesthetic, depending on the amount of fat being transferred or of you are having a combined facelift and fat transfer procedure. Although our surgeons usually carry out a two step procedure for facelft patients. The entire process can take from 30 minutes to 2-3 hours.
There are two different types of fat grafting that our surgeons may use in the two step procedure :
Microdroplets
Microdroplets are small volumes of adipose tissue harvested from one area of the patient's body. During surgery, the surgeon uses a unique instrument to inject them into the facial area where volume is needed.
or
Fractions
Fractions are small pieces of harvested adipose tissue. This type of fat grafting can involve anywhere from tiny to significant amounts of fatty tissue. This procedure requires anaesthesia because fractional fat grafting can involve so little tissue.
Fat transfer involves two procedures all carried out under local anaesthesia. There may be a little bruising which subsides over a week or so and can be covered with makeup. There is little to no down time, and you can get back to your daily activities quickly. It is a long term solution to volume loss unlike dermal fillers which dissolve within 12-18 months.
The two procedures for Fat transfer involve:
Micro lipo of fat: The surgeon removes a small amount of the patient’s own fat tissue—usually from the stomach, back or thighs—using liposuction or micro lipo through a small micro cannula. This process is known as fat harvesting, and it involves removing excess fat from these areas. The fat is firmer and stronger in these areas. The harvested fat is then centrifuged and the stem cells are separated.
Injection of fat and stem cells: They are then injected in the area that requires volume for a more rejuvenated look. This procedure is also known as a facial fat graft or fat graft. Our Plastic surgeons will then transfer the fat cells to the area where they want more volume through a micro-droplet technique. The droplets are so tiny that they don’t damage surrounding tissue or nerves. The success of grafted fat depends on careful technique. The body's fat cells are used for this process, and slim patients may not have enough fat for optimal results.
Fat transfer surgery is generally safe, but it does carry potential risks, including rare complications such as fat embolism.
Our GMC Specialist Register plastic surgeons have performed hundreds and hundreds of fat grafting operations
The time required for a fat transfer can vary, depending on the number of treated areas. Typically one to two hours performing mico liposuction and injecting the cells into the face.
There is no ideal age. If you are interested in enhancing or creating more volume in specific areas of the face then facial fat grafting or fat injections could be for you. The procedure can treat sunken cheeks, deep-set eyes, nasolabial folds or nose to mouthlines and the chin. We see patients in their 30’s, 40’s, 50s, 60s and 70s.
Candidates should be close to their ideal body weight and have enough fat available for harvesting to ensure the best results. Slim patients may have less fat available, which can affect their suitability for the procedure. We have had patients whereby we have asked that they try to gain some weight to be able to perform the procedure.
Fat transfer can complement other treatments. Patients who have surgery, such as a facelift or eyelid lift, often have fat transfer to give more volume to the cheek area.
Facial fat transfer is just one of several cosmetic surgery options available for facial rejuvenation. If you are interested in facial rejuvenation our plastic surgeons can talk to you in your consultation about facelifts, eyelid lifts, necklifts or even lip lifts.
For more information visit our treatment section.
For those who may not be suitable candidates for fat transfer or who prefer a non-surgical approach, there are several alternatives available. Dermal fillers, particularly hyaluronic acid fillers, are used to restore lost volume and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. Fillers are not as long-lasting as fat transfer and require repeat treatments every 6 to 12 months. If you are using fillers for an extended period of time the cost ratio can be higher than having fat transfer.
Other non-invasive options include facial exercises, massage, and advanced skincare treatments. They can help to improve skin quality however they are less likely to reduce the appearance of fine lines and will not help with voume enhancement.
Recovery from facial fat transfer for most patients includes:
To achieve the best possible results while healing:
Initially your face will appear swollew, however after several weeks this will reduce and you should see the full results after a few months.
You will be provided with post operative instructions and your progess will be looked after in your post operative appointments.
As with any surgical procedure, there are certain risks and complications to consider with fat grafting. Potential risks and complications include infection, bleeding, uneven texture, unsatisfactory results, and in rare cases, fat embolism. Fat transfer is relatively low risk because the surgeon harvests fat cells from the patient’s own body, minimising any chance of immune rejection.
Over filling:
However, if too much fat is transferred into one area, it could look unnatural. Our plastic surgeons prefer to take a conservative approach to achieve a natural result. This applies for all of the face including filling out hallows under the eys or facial volume and contour for the face and chin area.
Facelift patients: In the case of facelift patients we prefer to do a two step process of:
Our fat transfer plastic surgeons have years of experience and know exactly how much fat is required in order to achieve the natural look you want, while minimising potential risks.
The cost can vary depending on the area and number of areas being treated. Fat grafting or fat transfer prices start from £3,500-£4,000 for the under eyes to £7,000 for the full face. The best option is to speak to our plastic surgeon who can explain in detail about the treatment and discuss what you want to achieve.
The fat transfer price includes:
Things to consider:
There are instances whereby the patient will require a second treatment. This means that they will have a second micro liposuction treatment on the day of the second fat transfer treatment. The reason this can happen is because an experienced plastic surgeon will not want to overfill the face or under eye area, because this can cause issues. They will therefore be cautious to ensure the patient has the best fat grafting results.
We are seeing people deciding on the fat trasnfer option because it lasts many years and it is not a foreign substance. Unlike dermal filler which last 12-18 months and is not their own fat or stem cells.
What scarring can you expect from fat grafting?
Fat transfer results in tiny incisions, so the resulting scars will be invisible to the naked eye.
How soon will I see results / are they permanent?
It can take up to two weeks for the swelling, bruising and recovery from surgery to subside. You will see a lifted appearance in the area being treated with added volume. Fat grafting results are typically natural-looking and long-lasting, as a percentage of the transferred fat survives permanently. It may take several months for your body to absorb the transferred fat cells fully. If you maintain a healthy lifestyle, results can last a number of years.
How should I prepare for fat grafting?
Our plastic surgeon will give you more specific advice on preparing for this treatment. We advise to stop smoking and avoid blood thinners before your surgery. You'll also need to avoid taking pain medication that contains aspirin or ibuprofen in the weeks leading up to your surgery. You will be given full advise on how best to prepare.
Mr David Gateley
Mr Amir Sadri
Mr Paul Tulley
The Kensington Medical team provides thorough information about fat transfer so that you can makean informed decision. During the consultation with your experienced plastic surgeon you will discuss what you want to achieve, what happens during and after the treatment, the risks and downtime needed. If you have a special event or date in mind, we will work our way back to ensure you are fully recovered and looking your best.
Our goal is to restore your confidence and make you feel refreshed.
Our experts monitor facial plastic surgery and facial treatments information and update it when it is available.
This page was medically reviewed by Mr David Gateley MA, FRCS, FRCS (Plast), GMC number 2939470 on 04 June 2026.
Author: Louise Braham
