How much fat do I need to have for a facial fat transfer? (photo)

Question

I saw a PS a couple of days ago and was told that that I don't have enough fat to do a fat transfer and should use Artefill instead. I liked the doc, but I got the impression that he does fillers every single day and was maybe trying to movie me toward what he is more comfortable with? He also said that fat transfer should not be done below the eyes. I am male and believe my body fat percentage is between 15 and 20 percent.

John J. Martin, Jr., MD · Answer

It looks like you would have plenty of fat for a fat transfer.  It is the rare person who has no fat to harvest - usually elite athletes, or chronic HIV patients.  Your surgeon is recommending what they like to do.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I agree with what has been said, with the exception of some patients with HIV who it is difficult to find/harvest fat and sometimes that fat doesn't transfer as well.  You have plenty of fat to use for transfer and if injected properly, it can be very useful under the eyes.  My suggestion however would be to use a reversible filler first to see if you like the results as they wouldn't be permanent if you were to be unhappy -- ie juvederm, restylane, belotero.  I would avoid Artefill all together.  I wish you the best of luck, Dr. Emer.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

You have enough fat.  Most of the facial fat transfers I perform are on extremely thin women, so you would be easy by comparison.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

Almost any patient has enough fat to transfer to the face and you certainly do. There are downsides to fat transfers, such as how well they may take, but insufficient donor material to do the procedure is not one of them in your case.

Jaime Campos Leon, MD · Answer

Thank your for the picture.Definitely need to see your face to determine how much or if you do need fat transfer.Dr. Campos

Steven M. Daines, MD, FACS · Answer

I have yet to come across a patient who did not have enough fat for fat transfer. The abdomen, inner or outer thighs, and buttocks are all potential donor sites for fat. Surgeons will tend to steer their patients toward procedures they feel comfortable doing based on their training and clinical experience, so don't be afraid to get a second opinion if fat transfer sounds like an appealing option to you.

Michael Law, MD · Answer

It doesn't take much fat at all for facial fat grafting. My patients include models and athletes with very limited body fat.  Fat is the only material one should consider having placed under the eyes. When expertly administered fat provides a smooth, natural looking result that can be permanent. My fat grafting before and after gallery includes images of 50 patients who have received fat grafting to their faces. Visit my fat grafting gallery to see more than 50 examples of structural fat grafting.

How much fat do I need to have for a facial fat transfer? (photo)

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