During facial fat transfer surgery, small amounts of adipose tissue are harvested from another part of the body—typically the abdomen or thighs—using gentle liposuction. The fat is then processed and injected into specific regions of the face, such as the cheeks, under-eye area, or nasolabial folds.
The procedure uses the patient’s own purified fat as a natural grafting material to restore tissue volume in selected areas.
Please Note, Dr Doyle only performs facial fat grafting as an additional procedure to other surgical procedures. It can not be performed as a stand alone procedure.
What is a Facial Fat Transfer?
Facial fat transfer is the administration of fat into small areas of the face to address volume loss.
Fat transfer face is sometimes called fat grafting, or fat injections to address aesthetic concerns around volume loss as a natural consequence of the ageing process. The procedure address particular areas of the face, noteably the cheeks, lips, and under-eye area. It’s also considered beneficial for addressing skin laxity, as the addition of fat can fill excess skin.
In this treatment, tiny amounts of fat are harvested, usually from your abdomen or thighs. Then, micro droplets of this fat are injected into specific facial regions to add volume.
Facial Surgery
Facial Fat Grafting
Dr Doyle takes a conservative approach to facial fat transfer, using small, measured volumes of grafted fat to achieve a restoration of soft-tissue volume. This method supports gradual integration of the graft and aims to maintain the unique character of each patient’s facial features.
Dr Mark Doyle offers facial fat transfer to all patients from Gold Coast and Brisbane, QLD.
What Areas Can I Increase Facial Volume?
Fat transfer to the face procedure aims to address some patients’ aesthetic concerns. Patients generally request that specific facial features be filled to give them a more volumised appearance. Fat injections in the face are often done to areas such as the:
- under eyes
- cheeks and nasolabial folds
- forehead /temples, and
- lips & around the mouth (perioral)
- Fat Grafting Under Eyes
Transferring fat underneath the eyes helps to fill the area which can in some patients lose volume with time.
- Fat Transfer to Cheeks
Often the cheeks are the first area to lose volume as we age. Adding more cheek fat can add volume. In cheek augmentation, Dr Doyle adds fat to the cheek area.
- Fat Transfer to Nasolabial Folds
Individuals may have skin folds that go from the nose to the mouth which can appear more with age.
- Fat Transfer to Forehead
A normal sign of ageing is the hollowing of the temple region. Fat can also be transferred to this region.
- Facial Fat Transfer to Lips & Mouth Area
Fat transfer can also be made to the lips.
In addition, if you have lines around your mouth as a result of a smoking habit - typically referred to as 'smokers' lines' - fat transfer may be suitable to smooth the skin and reduce these lines.
Benefits of Fat Transfer to The Face
Dr Doyle routinely combines fat transfer with facelift surgery. Benefits of adding face fat include:
- Increase lost facial volume
- Address specific facial areas
- Use your body's own biological fat
Face Fat Treatment Procedure
Please Note, Dr Doyle only performs fat grafting face surgery as an ‘Add-on’ to another facial surgery, such as a lower face and neck lift.
This procedure is an outpatient procedure, meaning there is no overnight stay required. The surgery is always performed under general anaesthesia at an accredited hospital.
During surgery, fat is harvested from a donor site within your body. This is usually the lower abdomen or inner thighs. After the fat is harvested, it is administered into your preferred facial area using microdroplets. This will allow Dr Doyle to create more fullness.
Recovery
As a general rule, fat transfer to face recovery time is about 2 weeks. You may notice a mild degree of bruising and swelling after fat transfer to face surgery.
This will generally last several days after your procedure, and resolve on its own. You should avoid strenuous activity for at least 6 weeks.
Suitable Candidate
If your aesthetic goals are aimed at addressing the natural volume loss which occurs with age, fat transfer to the face may be a suitable option for you. Furthermore, Dr Doyle’s fat transfer technique may be suitable for you if you have:
- experienced a loss of volume in the under eye area
- decreased cheek volume
- nasolabial folds
Surgery may not be suitable for individuals with certain health conditions or where general wellbeing could increase surgical risk. Suitability for facial fat transfer is always assessed during consultation, taking into account each person’s medical history and treatment goals.
Dr Mark Doyle is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon MBBS, FRACS (Plas) with more than 30 years’ of surgical experience. He performs facial fat transfer procedures at John Flynn Private Hospital and provides patients with comprehensive information about the benefits, risks and recovery associated with this type of surgery.
Facial Fat Transfer Before and After
The link below to a gallery of images displays Dr Doyle’s real patient photos.
Please note, that everyone is different and each individual will have unique and varying results.
Disclaimer: All information on the Dr Mark Doyle website is general in nature and is not intended to be medical advice, nor does it constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Results can vary significantly and depend on individual patient circumstances. Please be aware that the outcomes shown are specific to those patients and may not necessarily reflect the results others may experience. Individual results can vary due to many factors, including genetics, diet, and exercise. All images on this website, unless specified as real patient images, are graphics used for illustrative purposes only. Surgery risks and complications will be covered in detail during a consultation with your surgeon. Book a consult for details regarding your cosmetic surgery procedure.
See all facial fat transfer before and after photos here.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Yes, the scars from facial fat grafting are generally quite small as the needle used in extremely thin.
Ageing is the primary cause of face fat loss. As we age, we lose facial fat and volume due to a decrease in collagen and elastin. Facial volume loss can change the appearance of our face over time.
While many patients want to add volume to their face, some want to reduce it. This is typically best achieved with changes to lifestyle and diet.
The longevity of facial fat grafting varies between individuals. Over time, some of the transferred fat cells may be reabsorbed by the body, and changes in weight can also affect facial volume.
It should be noted this procedure does not stop the natural ageing process, and gradual changes in facial appearance can continue to occur as tissues and skin evolve with age.
All surgical procedures carry risks. Possible complications following facial fat transfer can include infection, bleeding, bruising, or asymmetry. Other risks may relate to healing, scarring, or changes in fat graft survival over time.
Dr Doyle will discuss these and other potential risks in detail during your consultation, along with the measures taken to reduce them and the expected recovery process.
A typical fat transfer procedure takes between one and five hours to complete and total surgery time is dependent on which procedures are being performed.
Facial fat transfer is performed under general anaesthesia. After surgery, some discomfort, swelling, or bruising may occur, and these symptoms are typically managed with prescribed pain relief and post-operative care instructions.
Changes in facial volume are usually visible soon after surgery, although swelling and healing can affect early appearance. The grafted fat continues to settle over the following months, and the area is generally considered stable by three months after the procedure.
Dr Doyle only performs this procedure in conjunction with facial surgery.
Next Steps
If you would like more information about facial fat transfer, or to arrange a consultation with Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Mark Doyle, please contact our team at Gold Coast Plastic Surgery.
Please note that all consultations for cosmetic surgery require a valid referral from your general practitioner (GP). This ensures your medical history and overall health can be considered before any surgical discussion takes place.
To book a consultation, please call us on 07 5598 0988 or fill out our online enquiry form.
About Dr Mark Doyle FRACS (Plast) – Specialist Plastic Surgeon
Dr Mark Doyle is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon with over thirty years of experience. He specialises in face lift surgery in Gold Coast and Brisbane, and also offers a range of body and breast procedures.
Dr Doyle is a fully qualified Doctor and surgeon. He has completed all required training to be a Specialist Plastic Surgeon and is driven by an committed to providing excellent standards of care.
NEXT STEPS
Do Your Research
- Read the Website and Blogs relevant to your procedure
- Read our Frequently Asked Questions
- Learn about the Risks and Complications of Surgery
- Download our Plastic Surgery Guides
- Browse Dr Doyle’s YouTube Channel
What to Bring to Your Plastic Surgeon Consultation
- Bring a friend or relative for support and discussion regarding your choices
- Take notes and read all provided information thoroughly
- Read about what to expect in your Initial Surgery Consultation
Book Your Plastic Surgery Consultation
- Get a Referral from your GP or specialist – this is required to book a consultation with Dr. Doyle.
- Email us or call on 07 5598 0988 to arrange your consultation appointment.
- Pay your $300 Consultation Fee in advance to secure your consultation.
Please contact us to arrange to book a consultation with our Specialist Plastic Surgeon or to speak with our Patient Care Advisor.
Send an enquiry form today or phone 07 5598 0988 during Clinic Hours.
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*DISCLAIMER: All information on Dr Mark Doyle website is general and is not intended to be medical advice nor does it constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Results can vary significantly and depend on individual patient circumstances. All images on this website, unless specified as real patient images, are stock images used for illustrative purposes only. Surgery risks and complications will be covered in detail during a consultation with your surgeon. Book a consult for details regarding your cosmetic surgery procedure.
Dr. Mark Doyle AHPRA Registration: Dr Mark Doyle MED0001375519 Specialist Plastic Surgery – MBBS FRACS FRCS
