Is Facial Fat Grafting Painful?

Most patients are pleasantly surprised by the minimal discomfort they experience after facial fat grafting. During the procedure, anesthesia keeps you comfortable and ensures you don’t experience pain. Afterward, you may notice mild soreness, swelling, or tightness at both the donor site and the treatment areas of your face. These sensations are typically temporary and improve daily. Most patients describe the recovery as more of an “achy” feeling rather than sharp pain, and symptoms can be easily managed with prescribed or over-the-counter medication.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

The process includes an initial consultation to discuss your goals and determine candidacy, followed by a preoperative visit where final instructions are given. The procedure itself is performed in a single session. After surgery, you’ll return for several follow-up visits so that our surgeon can monitor your healing and ensure that our results are progressing as expected. Some patients may benefit from a secondary touch-up procedure months later if additional fat transfer is needed, but this is not always necessary. Overall, the process is streamlined and designed to be convenient while maintaining a high level of care.

How Long Until I See Results?

Results from facial fat grafting are visible immediately, but it’s essential to understand that the final appearance develops gradually. Immediately after surgery, you’ll notice added volume in the treated areas, but swelling can temporarily make the face look fuller than expected. Over the first few weeks, this swelling subsides, and the transferred fat settles into its new environment. By about 2 to 3 weeks, most patients notice a noticeable improvement, although subtle changes may persist for several months.

Can I Combine Facial Fat Grafting With Other Procedures?

Yes, facial fat grafting is often combined with other facial rejuvenation procedures for enhanced results. Many patients opt to combine fat transfer with a facelift , eyelid surgery , or brow lift to address both volume loss and skin laxity simultaneously. Others may opt to combine it with non-surgical treatments such as laser resurfacing or chemical peels to improve skin tone and texture.

What Are the Risks Associated With Facial Fat Grafting?

Possible risks include infection, prolonged swelling, bruising, asymmetry, or partial absorption of the transferred fat. In some cases, more fat may be reabsorbed than expected, requiring a follow-up touch-up procedure to achieve the desired outcome. Rarely, patients may experience irregularities in contour or firmness if the fat does not integrate evenly. Choosing highly skilled, dual board-certified surgeons like Dr. Brandon Wachal and Dr. Lee A. Kleiman significantly reduces the likelihood of these concerns.

Annapolis, Maryland

Facial Fat Grafting

Introduction to Facial Fat Grafting

As we age, our face naturally loses volume, leading to hollow cheeks, deeper wrinkles, and a more tired appearance. While dermal fillers can temporarily restore fullness, many patients desire a long-lasting, natural solution that uses their own tissue rather than synthetic materials. That’s where facial fat grafting comes in. At Anne Arundel Facial Plastic Surgery, our dual board-certified surgeons, Dr. Brandon Wachal and Dr. Lee A. Kleiman specializes in this advanced technique to help patients in Annapolis, Severna Park, and the surrounding Maryland areas achieve youthful, balanced results. By repurposing your body’s own fat, this procedure offers both facial rejuvenation and contour enhancement that looks and feels completely natural.

A male doctor, Dr. Lee, in a black suit, gently touching the neck area of a female patient who has her back to the camera while they both look at her reflection in a triple-panel mirror. Abstract artwork hangs on the wall behind them. - Facial Fat Grafting in Severna Park, MD

What is Facial Fat Grafting?

Facial fat grafting, also known as fat transfer, is a cosmetic procedure that restores facial volume by transferring fat from another area of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, or flanks, into the face. The process involves three steps: harvesting fat through gentle liposuction, purifying the fat cells, and precisely injecting them into areas of the face that need volume. Common treatment areas include the cheeks, under-eyes, temples, lips, and nasolabial folds. Because it utilizes your own fat, the results blend seamlessly into your tissues, providing a natural appearance and texture. Unlike dermal fillers, fat transfer can provide long-lasting, often permanent results.

Who Are the Best Candidates For Facial Fat Grafting?

You may be a great candidate in Maryland for facial fat grafting if you:

Have noticeable volume loss in the cheeks, under-eyes, or temples
Want a longer-lasting alternative to dermal fillers
Have mild to moderate facial wrinkles or folds
Prefer a natural solution that uses your own tissue
Are in good overall health with adequate fat stores for transfer
Have realistic expectations about the outcome

Facial fat grafting is suitable for both men and women, and it can also be combined with other procedures for a more complete facial rejuvenation.

What Are the Benefits of Facial Fat Grafting?

Facial fat grafting is popular for its ability to rejuvenate and restore facial balance without synthetic fillers. Some key benefits include:

Natural results: Uses your body’s own fat for a look that blends with your features.
Long-lasting improvement: Many patients enjoy results that last for years, significantly longer than those achieved with traditional fillers.
Dual benefit: Removes unwanted fat from one area of the body while restoring volume in the face.
Improved skin quality: Transferred fat contains stem cells that may enhance skin tone and texture over time.

What’s the First Step?

Your Facial Fat Grafting Journey with Dr. Wachal

Schedule a consultation at our Annapolis or Severna Park, Maryland office. During your appointment, Dr. Wachal or Dr. Kleiman will carefully evaluate your facial anatomy, discuss your goals, and review your medical history. They’ll also examine potential donor sites for fat harvesting to ensure you have sufficient fat available for transfer. Together, you’ll create a personalized treatment plan, and our team will provide instructions to help you prepare for your procedure.

A male doctor, Dr. Washal, wearing a gray suit jacket and white shirt, is seated at a wooden desk while consulting with a female patient. He is holding a tablet displaying before and after images of another patient's facial procedure, pointing to the images with a stylus.

What to Expect on the Day of Facial Fat Grafting Surgery

Facial fat grafting is performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia with sedation or, in some cases, general anesthesia depending on your treatment plan. The process begins with harvesting fat from areas such as the abdomen or thighs using gentle liposuction. The fat is then purified to isolate healthy cells before being carefully injected into the targeted areas of your face. The injections are precisely placed to restore volume, enhance contours, and create smooth, natural transitions. The entire procedure usually takes 1 to 3 hours, depending on the extent of the treatment.

Dr. Lee in a black suit and white shirt consulting with a female patient. The patient is touching her cheek while the doctor looks toward the camera with a slight smile. A mirror and abstract artwork are visible in the background.

Facial Fat Grafting Recovery

Your Guide to Post-Facial Fat Grafting Care

Recovery after facial fat grafting is generally well-tolerated. You can expect some swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort in both the donor area and the treated facial areas for the first 1–2 weeks. However, cold compresses, medication, and proper rest will help minimize discomfort. Most patients feel comfortable returning to work or engaging in light activities within 7 to 10 days, although swelling may take several weeks to resolve fully. Because some transferred fat cells may not survive, minor touch-ups may be recommended for the best results. Once fully healed, your results will appear soft, natural, and long-lasting.

How Much Does Facial Fat Grafting Cost in Maryland?

The cost of Facial Fat Grafting in Annapolis, Severna Park, and the rest of Maryland varies depending on the areas being treated, the amount of fat transferred, anesthesia fees, and the complexity of the procedure. During your consultation, our team will provide a personalized cost estimate and review financing options if needed. While the price may be higher than that of temporary fillers, the long-term results and natural benefits make it a cost-effective investment in facial rejuvenation.

Why Choose Us?

A full-length image of two male doctors standing side-by-side in a stylish office or waiting area. Dr. Lee, on the right, is wearing a black suit and white shirt with his arms crossed. The other doctor, Dr. Washal, is on the left, wearing a light gray suit and white shirt with his hands clasped in front of him.

At Anne Arundel Facial Plastic Surgery, patient safety and natural results are always our priorities. Dr. Brandon Wachalis and Dr. Lee A. Kleiman are both dual-certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. With decades of combined experience in advanced facial procedures, our surgeons are uniquely qualified to deliver results that enhance your natural beauty while maintaining balance and harmony. Conveniently located in Annapolis and Severna Park, our practice is proud to provide Maryland patients with compassionate, personalized care in a welcoming environment.

Facial Fat Grafting FAQ’S

Most patients are pleasantly surprised by the minimal discomfort they experience after facial fat grafting. During the procedure, anesthesia keeps you comfortable and ensures you don’t experience pain. Afterward, you may notice mild soreness, swelling, or tightness at both the donor site and the treatment areas of your face. These sensations are typically temporary and improve daily. Most patients describe the recovery as more of an “achy” feeling rather than sharp pain, and symptoms can be easily managed with prescribed or over-the-counter medication.
The process includes an initial consultation to discuss your goals and determine candidacy, followed by a preoperative visit where final instructions are given. The procedure itself is performed in a single session. After surgery, you’ll return for several follow-up visits so that our surgeon can monitor your healing and ensure that our results are progressing as expected. Some patients may benefit from a secondary touch-up procedure months later if additional fat transfer is needed, but this is not always necessary. Overall, the process is streamlined and designed to be convenient while maintaining a high level of care.
Results from facial fat grafting are visible immediately, but it’s essential to understand that the final appearance develops gradually. Immediately after surgery, you’ll notice added volume in the treated areas, but swelling can temporarily make the face look fuller than expected. Over the first few weeks, this swelling subsides, and the transferred fat settles into its new environment. By about 2 to 3 weeks, most patients notice a noticeable improvement, although subtle changes may persist for several months.
Yes, facial fat grafting is often combined with other facial rejuvenation procedures for enhanced results. Many patients opt to combine fat transfer with a facelift, eyelid surgery, or brow lift to address both volume loss and skin laxity simultaneously. Others may opt to combine it with non-surgical treatments such as laser resurfacing or chemical peels to improve skin tone and texture.
Possible risks include infection, prolonged swelling, bruising, asymmetry, or partial absorption of the transferred fat. In some cases, more fat may be reabsorbed than expected, requiring a follow-up touch-up procedure to achieve the desired outcome. Rarely, patients may experience irregularities in contour or firmness if the fat does not integrate evenly. Choosing highly skilled, dual board-certified surgeons like Dr. Brandon Wachal and Dr. Lee A. Kleiman significantly reduces the likelihood of these concerns.

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Patients

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Dr. Wachal is a blessing to patients seeking facial rejuvenation and natural beauty enhancements.

His state-of-the-art, in-house surgical suite is fully equipped—even for emergencies—helping reduce patient costs without compromising safety or results. The office is immaculately hygienic and designed for comfort and care.

Schedule Your Consultation

If you’re ready to restore youthful fullness and refresh your appearance with a natural, long-lasting solution, facial fat grafting may be the right choice for you. Contact Anne Arundel Facial Plastic Surgery today to schedule your consultation at our Annapolis or Severna Park, Maryland, location.

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