Volume loss is one of the primary causes of facial aging. If you want to fill wrinkles, add fullness, or address facial asymmetry, you may be a good candidate for facial fat transfer surgery. This all-natural alternative to dermal fillers is popular with women and men from Denver, CO, Beverly Hills, CA, and the surrounding areas.
Double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Keith Ladner brings more than 15 years of specialized experience in facial and neck rejuvenation. At Ladner Facial Plastic Surgery, patients benefit from advanced surgical techniques, a fully accredited private surgical center, and a personalized approach designed to restore natural facial balance rather than create an artificial or overdone appearance.
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Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
What Is Facial Fat Transfer?
Facial fat transfer—also called fat grafting—is a surgical technique that restores volume to areas of the face that have lost fullness over time. The procedure uses fat harvested from another part of your body and strategically places it into areas where facial structure and contour have diminished.
Because the transferred tissue comes from your own body, the results often appear softer and more natural than synthetic fillers. Once the fat develops a blood supply, it integrates with surrounding tissue and becomes a living part of the face. This allows fat transfer to provide long-lasting improvements in facial fullness and contour.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Facial Fat Transfer?
Facial fat grafting is commonly chosen by patients who want to restore youthful facial contours without relying on repeated filler treatments. It is particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing volume loss in areas such as the cheeks, temples, under the eyes, or along the jawline.
Most candidates are in good overall health and are looking for subtle but meaningful improvement in facial balance and structure. Because the procedure requires harvesting fat from another area of the body, patients should also have a small amount of available donor fat. During your consultation, Dr. Ladner evaluates your facial anatomy, skin elasticity, and aesthetic goals. This detailed analysis helps determine whether fat grafting is the most effective option for restoring volume and achieving natural-looking rejuvenation.
Benefits of Facial Fat Transfer
Facial fat transfer offers several advantages for patients seeking long-term facial rejuvenation.
Natural tissue is used for restoration, allowing the results to blend seamlessly with surrounding structures. The transferred fat integrates into the face, creating soft contours that move naturally with facial expressions. Because the tissue becomes part of your facial structure, improvements can last for many years.
Additional benefits include enhanced facial balance, improved contour definition, and long-term volume restoration. Many patients also appreciate that fat grafting addresses both facial aging and donor-area contouring through the liposuction process.
Meet Dr. Keith Ladner
Dr. Keith Ladner is a double board-certified and fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon in Denver, CO and Beverly Hills, CA. His world-class training and accomplishments are virtually unmatched. Dr. Ladner pairs exceptional technical skills with an approachable personality that earns 5-star reviews from his patients.
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Credentials You Can Trust
Facial Areas Commonly Enhanced With Fat Transfer
Fat grafting can restore youthful volume in several key areas of the face.
- Cheeks and midface to recreate natural lift
- Under-eye hollows to soften shadows and tired appearance
- Temples to restore smooth facial contours
- Nasolabial folds and marionette lines for structural support
- Jawline and chin to enhance facial balance
By placing fat in small, precise layers, Dr. Ladner is able to restore volume while maintaining the natural proportions of the face.
Facial Fat Transfer vs. Dermal Fillers
Both fat grafting and Dermal fillers can restore facial volume, but they function differently. Dermal fillers provide temporary improvement and typically require repeat treatments every several months to maintain results.
Fat grafting uses your own living tissue to rebuild facial structure. Once the transferred fat becomes established, it can provide long-lasting volume without ongoing maintenance injections.
Some patients choose fillers initially to explore subtle changes before committing to surgery, while others prefer fat grafting for its durability and natural feel. During consultation, Dr. Ladner explains both options and recommends the approach that best supports your long-term goals.
How Is Facial Fat Transfer Performed?
Facial fat grafting is a precise, multi-step procedure designed to restore facial contours while maintaining natural balance. The process begins with gently removing a small amount of fat from a donor area such as the abdomen, flanks, or thighs using specialized liposuction techniques. The harvested fat is then purified and prepared for transfer. This step separates healthy fat cells from other fluids so that only viable tissue is used during the grafting process.
Dr. Ladner carefully places the prepared fat into targeted facial areas using fine instruments. The fat is layered in very small amounts to ensure smooth contours and support long-term survival of the transferred tissue. This meticulous placement allows the face to retain natural movement and expression.
Combining Facial Fat Transfer With Other Procedures
Facial fat grafting is frequently incorporated into broader facial rejuvenation plans. As the face ages, both volume loss and skin laxity contribute to visible changes in appearance.
For this reason, fat transfer is often performed alongside procedures such as facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, or chin augmentation. Restoring volume to the cheeks, temples, or under-eye area can complement surgical lifting techniques and improve overall facial harmony.
By addressing multiple components of facial aging at once, Dr. Ladner can create results that appear balanced, natural, and proportionate.
Fat Transfer Recovery
After the procedure, patients typically experience swelling and mild bruising that gradually improves during the first one to two weeks. Some early fullness subsides as healing progresses and the body adjusts to the transferred fat.
As swelling resolves, the treated areas appear smoother and more balanced. Over time, the integrated fat contributes to improved facial contours that look natural both at rest and during facial expression.
How Long Do Fat Transfer Results Last?
While a small portion of transferred fat may be reabsorbed during the healing process, the remaining fat cells develop their own blood supply and become permanent tissue within the face.
Patients typically retain a significant percentage of the transferred fat, allowing the restored volume to last for many years. Because the tissue integrates naturally, the face continues to age normally while maintaining improved contour and softness.
Why Choose Dr. Ladner for Facial Fat Grafting?
Facial fat grafting requires a high level of technical skill and aesthetic judgment. Dr. Keith Ladner is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who focuses exclusively on procedures of the face and neck.
With more than 15 years of surgical experience and advanced fellowship training, he approaches facial rejuvenation through detailed anatomical analysis and individualized treatment planning. All procedures are performed in his private, fully accredited ambulatory surgical center with the support of a board-certified anesthesiologist and experienced surgical team.
Patients from Denver, Greenwood Village, and Beverly Hills seek out Dr. Ladner for his precision, thoughtful consultation process, and commitment to natural-looking results.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
If you are considering facial fat transfer in Denver, Greenwood Village, or Beverly Hills, a consultation with Dr. Keith Ladner can help determine whether fat grafting is the right option for restoring facial volume and balance. Call (303) 253-7686 for the Denver office or (213) 457-7740 for the Beverly Hills office to schedule your visit.