Fat Graft - SM Plastic Surgery

The take rate of fat grafting is 50–80%, varying from person to person. Refined pure fat is grafted, and the degree of take is confirmed at follow-up.

Grafting in several layers with an ultra-fine cannula (0.2–0.3mm) reduces the chance of an uneven surface.

With a small incision of 2–3mm, the scar is barely visible.

Yes. Additional grafting is possible once 3 months or more have passed since the first.

Fat is grafted into areas lacking volume such as the forehead, eyelids, front cheekbones, nasolabial folds, under the eyes, temples and chin. Each area needs a different amount of fat and a different depth, so the design is planned individually. Where and how much to place is decided while reviewing your overall facial balance.

Fat is harvested from areas such as the abdomen or thighs. The harvested fat is then separated from impurities and only the pure fat is filtered out for grafting. The donor site is chosen during consultation after checking your body shape and available fat.

Fat grafting uses your own tissue, so the burden of a foreign-body reaction is relatively low. Side effects such as swelling, bruising and asymmetry can still occur, and results vary between individuals. Which option suits you is explained after assessing the hollow areas and their extent.

No. The harvested fat is separated from impurities, refined so that only pure fat suitable for grafting remains, and then transferred into grafting syringes. After that step, the recipient areas are designed and the fat is placed across several layers.

A round-tipped ultra-fine cannula (0.2 to 0.3 mm) made for facial areas is used to reduce marks at the entry points. Cannulas in general use are 1.2 mm or larger. How visible the marks remain still varies between individuals.

The amount is matched to how hollow each area is. Different areas require different volumes, and placing a large amount at once does not necessarily give a better result. The volume and the areas are decided together during consultation while reviewing overall facial balance.

The procedure takes about one hour and is performed under sedation anesthesia. The duration can change depending on the donor site and the extent of grafting. One to two clinic visits are generally scheduled.

Suture removal is based on about one week, sometimes as early as day five or as late as two weeks. The timing can shift depending on how quickly you heal. The exact date is confirmed while checking your progress.

Return to daily activities is generally guided at seven days. How quickly swelling subsides differs from person to person, so recovery time is not the same for everyone. The timing is confirmed while monitoring your progress.

The approach depends on whether the hollow look comes from a lack of volume or from sagging. If volume is lacking, grafting into the front cheekbone and cheek area is considered; if sagging is the main cause, other options are reviewed as well. This is explained after examining your facial structure.

Fat grafting is considered when the face lacks fullness or an angular structure makes the impression look hard. The approach is to fill the deficient areas so the facial contour appears softer. Results vary between individuals, so this is explained after examining your condition.