Key Factors for Successful Facial Fat Transfer and Fat Injection

If you’ve ever heard someone say, "My fat grafting didn’t last," or "It all disappeared after a few months," you’re not alone. While facial fat grafting is one of the most natural and biocompatible ways to restore facial volume, long-lasting results depend on several key factors.

In this post, we’ll break down:

1. What facial fat grafting is

2. How the procedure works

3. What makes it successful

Answers to common questions about under-eye fat grafting, lip fat grafting, cheek volume, and more.

Whether you’re searching for the best fat grafting surgeon in Korea or comparing fat grafting vs fillers, here’s what you need to know.

Fat Grafting Under Eyes Reviews: What Is Facial Fat Grafting?

Facial fat grafting, also called autologous fat transfer, involves harvesting fat from one area of your body (commonly the thighs or lower abdomen). This body fat is then used as a natural filler and injected into areas of the face that have lost volume due to aging, weight loss, or genetics. By using the body's own fat, the procedure promotes natural-looking and long-lasting results.

Popular treatment areas include:

• Fat grafting under the eyes or upper lids
• Cheeks and nasolabial folds
• Temples and forehead
• Lips (fat grafting lips)
• Chin, jawline, and full-face volume (fat grafting face / full-face fat transfer)

Facial fat transfer offers a natural alternative to synthetic dermal fillers, providing a natural, long-lasting solution by utilizing the body's own fat, especially for those looking for soft, subtle rejuvenation.

Where Does the Fat Come From? Donor Sites for Fat Harvesting

One of the unique advantages of facial fat grafting is that it uses your own fat to restore youthful volume and contour to the face. But where does this fat come from? 

The answer lies in areas of the body that naturally store excess fat—commonly known as donor sites.

During the fat grafting procedure, a facial plastic surgeon will carefully select donor sites such as the abdomen, thighs, or flanks. These areas are ideal because they typically have a higher concentration of excess fat that can be safely removed without affecting your body’s natural shape. Using gentle liposuction techniques, the surgeon harvests the fat needed for your facial fat transfer.

Once the fat is collected, it undergoes a specialized purification process to isolate healthy fat cells. This step is crucial for ensuring that the transferred fat integrates well into the recipient area and delivers natural looking volume. The prepared fat is then meticulously injected into targeted areas of the face, such as the cheeks, under-eye hollows, or temples, to achieve the desired outcome.

It’s important to note that not all harvested fat cells will survive the transfer. The survival of grafted fat depends on factors like the quality of the harvested fat, the technique used, and how well the new blood supply develops in the recipient area. However, with advanced fat grafting techniques and the expertise of a skilled plastic surgeon, most patients can expect a significant portion of the transferred fat to remain, providing long-lasting facial rejuvenation.

How Does the Facial Fat Transfer Process Work?

1. The Right Tools Matter

Modern fat grafting techniques use specialized cannulas and precise filtration methods to process the fat into microfat or nanofat, depending on the target area.

• Microfat is used for deeper volume correction (e.g., cheeks, temples)
• Nanofat is used for superficial layers or skin rejuvenation (e.g., tear troughs, under the eyes). Nanofat contains growth factors and stem cells, which contribute to skin rejuvenation and improved tissue quality.

2. The Surgeon’s Skill Matters Even More

A successful result isn’t just about injecting fat—it’s about understanding facial anatomy, skin thickness, and proper layer-by-layer placement of the grafted fat.

Natural results come from an artistic eye and surgical precision. Uneven texture, lumpiness, or poor volume retention usually stem from inexperience or improper technique. Experienced plastic surgeons are best equipped to minimize potential complications and possible complications, such as lumps, swelling, or unpredictable results, that can arise from fat grafting.

3. Experience + Feedback = Long-Term Success

The best fat grafting surgeons not only have experience, but also track their outcomes and adjust their technique accordingly. Follow-up the patients after facial fat transfer over time allows surgeons and patients to better understand the timeline, fat survival rate, and long-term outcomes, which helps set realistic expectations and improves overall patient satisfaction.

Facial Fat Grafting – Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Won’t it turn out lumpy or uneven?

Not if it’s done properly. Layered micro-droplet placement and correct plane selection help avoid lumps. A skilled surgeon will use different depths to achieve smooth contours.

Possible complications and potential complications, such as lumps or unevenness, are rare when performed by a skilled surgeon.

Q2. Does it all disappear in a year?

Not really. Here’s what’s happening:

• Fat transferred from the donor site (e.g., thigh or abdomen fat) is injected into the face during the procedure
• The injected fat takes on the characteristics of the donor site
• The aging process continues, which may reduce the native fat in the face—not the graft
• The longevity of facial fat transfer results depends on how much of the injected fat and fat transferred survives in the treatment area
• Properly integrated fat typically stabilizes around 3–6 months and lasts for years

Q3. Can I do it more than once?

Absolutely. Since it’s your own tissue, autologous fat grafting carries no risk of allergic reaction or rejection. Many patients undergo two or even three sessions—not because the fat failed, but to add more volume gradually for safety and naturalness. Additional procedures may be performed to add volume in specific areas, allowing for optimal contouring and results.

Q4. Who is a good candidate?

Fat grafting is often combined with other facial rejuvenation procedures such as:

• Eyelid surgery
• Brow lift
• Deep plane facelift or SMAS facelift
• Under-eye correction (fat repositioning)

Good candidates for facial fat grafting are those who have realistic expectations about the outcomes, are seeking a natural appearance, and have specific facial anatomy or volume loss that can benefit from this procedure. Individuals with stable weight and a desire for subtle, authentic rejuvenation are most likely to be satisfied with the results.

It’s especially helpful for:

• Hollow under-eyes
• Flat forehead or temples
• Lip contour improvement
• Midface or cheek volume loss

Many patients search for fat grafting under eyes reviews because this is one of the most delicate and visible areas. It requires extreme precision, making surgeon selection crucial.

Fat Grafting vs Fillers: Which Is Better?

• Fillers: Non-surgical, predictable volume, temporary (6–18 months). Hyaluronic acid fillers are a popular option for under eye hollowness, offering reversibility and precise placement, but results are temporary and may not blend as seamlessly as fat grafting.
• Fat Grafting: Cosmetic surgery procedure, autologous, permanent (with some resorption), natural texture, and provides a more natural appearance that blends well with existing tissue.

In general, fat transfer is preferred for patients who want a longer-term solution and a softer, more natural feel. Other treatments for facial rejuvenation, such as laser therapy or synthetic implants, may also be considered depending on individual goals.

How Much Does Facial Fat Grafting Cost?

The facial fat grafting cost varies depending on:

• Areas treated (under-eye only vs full face)
• Fat processing technique (standard vs nanofat)
• Surgeon expertise and clinic reputation
• Whether the procedure is performed in a surgical facility, which may incur additional facility fees. Facility fees can vary based on the type and location of the surgical facility, with metropolitan areas and hospitals often charging more than smaller clinics.
• Anesthesia type, as general anesthesia provided by an MD or CRNA may result in higher fees compared to local anesthesia.

In Noonopi Plastic Surgery Korea, average prices for:

• Fat grafting under eyes: ~$1,000
• Full-face fat grafting: ~$3,000

While the upfront cost of fat grafting may be higher, it can be a cost effective solution in the long run due to its lasting results and reduced need for maintenance compared to repeated filler treatments.

Always check before-and-after photos and consult directly with the fat grafting surgeon before deciding.

Final Thoughts: Is Facial Fat Transfer Right for You?

If you’re looking for a natural way to restore volume, improve facial harmony, and avoid synthetic fillers, facial fat grafting may be your ideal choice. With proper planning, technique, and follow-up, it offers a safe, long-lasting path to facial rejuvenation.

At Noonopi Plastic Surgery in Seoul, we specialize in:

• Full-face fat grafting
• Fat grafting under the eyes
• Lip and forehead fat grafting
• High-fat retention techniques + HBOT (hyperbaric oxygen therapy)

📍 Located in Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea
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