Facial Fat Grafting London (Fat Transfer to the Face)

Before you undergo any plastic surgery procedure at Karidis Clinic, you will have a consultation and a pre-operative assessment with your plastic surgeon. They will listen carefully to your concerns and what you expect to achieve and discuss which procedure, or combination of procedures, is appropriate.

At this stage, they will also ensure you are fully aware of the potential risks and complications inherent in that specific procedure and explain to you what you can expect immediately after surgery, throughout the recovery process, and when you will likely see the final results.

During the pre-operative assessment, the surgeon may take measurements of the area to be operated on and assess your skin tissue quality and the degree of skin laxity. The position of the incisions will also be decided upon.

A full medical history will be taken to ensure you are fit and well and can undergo surgery at this time.

After the initial consultation, there will be a two-week ‘cooling-off’ period before you can decide to proceed with surgery. You are welcome to return for further consultations with your Karidis Clinic surgeon, free of charge, if you have more questions.

If you make the decision to proceed with surgery, you’ll be given advice on how best to prepare for your operation, and you will have a dedicated Patient Coordinator who can answer any queries you may have.

Any pre-surgery tests can occur at the Hospital of St John & St Elizabeth, a leading London private hospital where Karidis Clinic is based. The hospital has recently built a new wing including a diagnostic department with the latest X-ray, MRI, CT and ultrasound technology.

We advise patients to stop smoking as soon as possible as nicotine acts as a vasoconstrictor, which impedes the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the surgical site. This can slow down healing, increase the chance of infection and even cause tissue to die. Smoking also increases the risks of a general anaesthetic, and smokers are more likely to suffer ill effects from an anaesthetic.

You will also be advised when to discontinue taking aspirin or other blood-thinning medication in advance of your operation. You will be asked to fast six hours before surgery.

All Karidis Clinic procedures are performed at the Hospital of St John & St Elizabeth. When you arrive, you’ll be greeted and taken to your stylish and luxurious private room with its spacious ensuite bathroom.

The nursing team will take your blood pressure and relevant vitals, and you will see your Karidis Clinic surgeon, who will make the final mark-ups. Our anaesthetist will also visit you.

Clinical photography will be taken to assist in your care and to enable clinical assessments to be made. These become part of your confidential medical record. These include photographs of the operation site and any distinguishing features and will be taken pre-op and post-op. 

Your procedure will be performed under a general anaesthetic, and once the surgeon has sutured the incision site, you will be taken to a specialist recovery room.

Once the hospital nursing team has ensured your recovery is complete, you will be taken to your hospital room for your overnight stay. The hospital nursing team will be on hand throughout the night, and you will be fitted with compression stockings and a compression device if required.

The following day, you will be visited by your Karidis Clinic surgeon or nurse and then discharged into the care of a friend or family member by the hospital nursing staff.

The pain and discomfort experienced after surgery are unique to the individual patient and the extent of their procedure. However, it should start to subside in the first week and should be easily managed with over-the-counter painkillers.

If necessary, you’ll be advised to wear a specially designed surgical support garment for approximately six weeks after surgery to support you during the healing process.

Depending on the nature of your job, you can usually expect to be able to return to work and normal activities between one to two weeks.

You’ll be given a comprehensive plan for the recovery process, including dates for your cast or suture removal and your check-ups with your Karidis Clinic surgeon. However, we are always on hand throughout this period, and you have access to our dedicated surgical nurse 24/7 if you have any concerns.

While fat transfer surgery is customisable, making it suitable for a wide range of people, it is best suited to individuals seeking natural facial rejuvenation, especially those with volume loss, wrinkles or asymmetry. 

Candidates should be in good health and free from underlying medical conditions that could pose risks during surgery. Ideal candidates should also have an adequate amount of donor fat for harvesting. 

A thorough consultation with our surgeon is essential to assess individual candidacy, expectations and aesthetic goals.

The final results of facial fat grafting surgery become more apparent as the initial swelling subsides, typically within a few weeks. However, the complete settling of the transferred fat may take several months. Initially, there might be some volume loss as the body absorbs a portion of the fat. That said, patience is crucial as the gradual integration of the grafted fat ensures natural-looking and long-lasting results.  

The results of fat transfer to the face can last for many years, and in some cases, patients may experience results lasting a lifetime. In comparison to dermal fillers, known for subtle improvements and their yearly top-ups, fat transfer has more pronounced and long-lasting effects. Once the transferred fat cells integrate into the recipient tissues, a blood supply will be produced in the area to maintain the permanency of the grafted fat cells. That said, every fat transfer procedure involves a certain amount of fat reabsorption, meaning not all injected fat will survive.

Facial fat grafting is generally well-tolerated, with discomfort typically manageable through local anaesthesia or sedation. Patients often report minimal pain, and the recovery period is relatively short. While some swelling, bruising, or mild soreness may occur post-operatively, any discomfort is usually temporary and can be alleviated with prescribed pain medications. Discussing pain management options with your surgeon beforehand will ensure a more comfortable experience.

Fat transfer surgery offers versatile enhancement options across various facial areas, including the cheeks, nasolabial folds, lips and under-eye hollows. This procedure can restore lost volume, diminish wrinkles, and improve overall facial contour. Additionally, fat grafting is effective for refining jawlines and treating sunken temples. Its adaptability allows surgeons to enhance multiple facial features, providing natural-looking results.