Fat Grafting to the Face

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Algonquin, IL

Fat grafting to the face is a minimally invasive procedure that uses your body’s own fat to restore facial volume and definition. (1) As we age, it is natural to lose facial volume and for the contours of the face to become diminished. (2) Fat grafting to the face offers an effective solution for these concerns, allowing you to achieve long-lasting rejuvenation.

Utku Dolen, MD, is a board-certified plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgeon at Northwestern Medicine Plastic Surgery. He helps his patients achieve a more youthful look with fat grafting to the face and a wide range of other procedures.

To learn more, please call our office at (847) 854-3522.

About Fat Grafting to the Face

Fat grafting to the face is a minimally invasive procedure that utilizes the process of autologous fat transfer to refine your natural facial features. Autologous fat transfer is a process that takes fat from one area of the body and places it in another. (3) Many medical professionals consider autologous fat to be an ideal filler material for facial rejuvenation, as it offers lasting effects, natural-looking and feeling results, and is also fully biocompatible. (1) This means that you will not need to worry about potential allergic reactions or sensitivities!

Benefits of Facial Fat Grafting

Fat grafting to the face offers several benefits, including:

  • Dual Benefits: This procedure restores facial volume while simultaneously leaving other parts of the body more sculpted.
  • Restored Facial Volume: Fat grafting to the face can safely and effectively combat age-related volume loss, redefining your facial features and sculpting.
  • Softened Signs of Aging: Dr. Dolen can administer fat to your face to reduce the appearance of fine lines, creases, crow’s feet, and wrinkles, helping you look more refreshed and rejuvenated.
  • Natural-Looking Results: This procedure uses your own fat to achieve its results, leaving you with a natural look and feel.
  • Lasting Results: Unlike synthetic fillers, the results seen from fat grafting can last indefinitely.

Candidates

Suitable candidates for facial fat grafting are often those who are interested in restoring lost facial volume or who wish to enhance facial definition. Patients should also have enough excess fat around their bodies available for the transfer.

If you are interested in this procedure, you should be in good general health and maintain realistic expectations regarding the results of your treatment. You should also be nonsmoking or willing to quit nicotine for an extended period of time. Dr. Dolen will finalize your candidacy with you during your consultation, once he has assessed your medical history and natural anatomy.

Personal Consultation

During your personal consultation, Dr. Dolen will meet with you individually to talk with you about your medical history, aesthetic concerns, and ideal outcomes. He will also perform a physical evaluation to assess your natural facial structure, fat donor sites, and the quality of your skin. He will then use this information to create a personalized solution that helps you fulfill each of your aesthetic goals.

To schedule this consultation and receive your tailored treatment plan, please call (847) 854-3522. Alternatively, you may visit our office in person to speak with a member of our knowledgeable team.

Preparation

Dr. Dolen or another member of his team will provide you with detailed pre-operative instructions to help you prepare for your upcoming treatment. They may instruct you to:

  • Refrain from taking medications and supplements that contain blood-thinning properties.
  • Prearrange transportation to and from our facility.
  • Request time away from your responsibilities and commitments to focus on recovering.
  • Stop consuming alcohol at least 2 weeks before your appointment date.
  • Cease any nicotine use at least 2 months before your procedure until you have fully recovered.
  • Fill any prescriptions or medications you may need in advance.

Preparation is a crucial part of any procedure or treatment. By following each instruction, you can ensure a safe and successful procedure.

Procedure

Your procedure will begin with a member of Dr. Dolen’s team cleansing and sanitizing your skin before numbing the treatment area with local anesthesia. Dr. Dolen will then perform liposuction to remove excess fat from your designated donor areas. Most patients choose to remove fat from their abdomen, inner thighs, or flanks. (1)

Dr. Dolen will first place a small incision near the fat deposit before administering a tumescent solution to make the fat easier to remove. This solution will consist of lactated Ringer’s solution, adrenaline, and a local anesthetic. He will then insert a small cannula into the donor area, moving it back and forth to break down and suction out your fat.

Once Dr. Dolen harvests the fat, he will process and purify it to ensure only the healthiest fat cells are used. He will then use a thin needle to inject the fat into specific areas of your face, recontouring your specific features.

Recovery

Dr. Dolen performs fat grafting procedures on an outpatient basis, so you can return home on the same day. As you recover, you may experience some swelling, bruising, or tenderness around both the donor and treated areas. These effects are temporary and will subside on their own with time. Dr. Dolen may provide you with a compression garment to wear during this time. You will need to wear the garment for 4 to 6 weeks, as this garment will help minimize any swelling and preserve your redefined appearance as your tissues heal.

You may return to desk work and other light activities after resting for approximately 1 to 2 weeks. However, you will need to refrain from engaging in any physically demanding activities until Dr. Dolen clears you.

Dr. Dolen and his team will provide you with any additional instructions you may need to care for yourself as you recover. If any questions or concerns arise, we encourage you to contact our team for guidance and support.

Results

You will be able to enjoy the results of your fat grafting procedure once your side effects subside. Not all of the injected fat will survive; the body will resorb a portion of the fat afterward. (4) To account for this, Dr. Dolen purposefully administers extra fat.

As the effects of your procedure continue to develop, your final results will become more apparent. Your face will appear more voluminous, contoured, and youthful, and you may also notice a more balanced appearance between your facial features, contributing to a more proportionate appearance overall. The fat that remains after your resorption period will remain permanently, allowing you to enjoy your rejuvenated appearance in the coming years.

Cost of Fat Grafting to the Face in Algonquin, Illinois

The cost of your procedure can vary depending on certain factors in your treatment plan, including the regions of the face Dr. Dolen is addressing, the amount of fat being transferred, and more. During your consultation, Dr. Dolen will discuss each of these details with you. Once he establishes a treatment plan, he will give you a cost estimate for your procedure.

To learn more about the cost of your facial fat grafting procedure, please schedule a consultation by calling (847) 854-3522.

FAQ

Where does Dr. Dolen take fat from for a fat transfer?

Dr. Dolen may take fat from almost any part of your body that has an adequate amount. To determine the most appropriate areas to take fat from, he will perform a physical evaluation.

How much fat will I need to transfer to achieve my desired results?

The necessary amount of fat will vary depending on your specific goals and natural anatomy. Dr. Dolen will discuss how much fat he will administer at your consultation.

How long will the results of my fat grafting procedure last?

Once you fully recover from your procedure, the fat in the treated areas will remain there permanently. This means you will be able to enjoy your results indefinitely.

How much fat will be resorbed during my recovery?

The amount of fat resorbed during your recovery will vary, as each patient’s body and healing response is unique. During your consultation, Dr. Dolen will discuss what you can expect regarding reabsorption. He will also administer a larger amount of fat during your procedure to account for this.

Can I combine my facial fat grafting procedure with another aesthetic procedure or treatment?

Yes, you may choose to combine your procedure with another to enhance your results or address multiple concerns in one treatment session. To learn about the other treatments you may qualify for, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Dolen.

References

  1. Vasavada A, Raggio BS. Autologous Fat Grafting for Facial Rejuvenation. Nih.gov. Published July 31, 2023. Accessed January 8, 2026. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557860/#article-21546.s9
  2. Ma X, Li F. [Autologous fat grafting for perioral and lower face rejuvenation]. PubMed. 2022;36(12):1542-1548. doi:https://doi.org/10.7507/1002-1892.202207044
  3. Costanzo D, Romeo A, Marena F. Autologous Fat Grafting in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: An Historical Perspective. Eplasty. 2022;22:e4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9350545/
  4. Doornaert M, Colle J, De Maere E, Declercq H, Blondeel P. Autologous fat grafting: Latest insights. Annals of Medicine and Surgery. 2018;37:47-53. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2018.10.016