Facial Fat Grafting Austin, TX | Daniel J. Leeman, MD

What is facial fat grafting?

Fat grafting is a surgical procedure in which fat is harvested from areas of the body and used to rejuvenate the facial features. Dr. Leeman can harvest, purify, and inject your own fat to fill in sunken areas under the eyes, to augment the cheeks, lips and chin, to restore lost volume at the temples, and to fill deep facial wrinkles.

Who is a good candidate for facial fat grafting?

You may be a good candidate for this procedure if you are in good general health and want to augment or fill in specific facial areas with natural, living tissue to rejuvenate your appearance. We can perform facial fat transfer to correct a variety of aesthetic issues, including:

Age-related volume loss in the temples and around the eyes
Sunken cheeks
Thin lips
Dark circles or bags beneath the eyes

Why choose Daniel J. Leeman, MD?

Dr. Leeman is not is not only a board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon but also a board-certified otolaryngologist (head and neck surgeon), committed to providing his patients with the highest level of service and care.

Our surgical procedures are performed at a state-of-the-art, private facility, known as the Mueller Surgery Center, which has been serving the Austin area for nearly twenty years, providing cutting-edge treatments and the highest quality care.

For our patients with high insurance deductibles or no insurance coverage, we offer cash-based pricing, with the goal of making our surgical procedures more affordable.

Before & After

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How is facial fat grafting performed?

Fat grafting involves three techniques: liposelection, donor fat processing, and injection of the donor fat into the desired area.

Liposelection: Dr. Leeman harvests the fat with body jet liposuction, a gentle type of liposuction that preserves the integrity of the fat cells. Common areas to liposuction include the back, directly above the butt, the stomach, and the thighs.
Fat processing: After liposuction, we carefully purify the fat, so that only the best donor fat cells will be injected back into your face for augmentation. The fat which has been suctioned is processed to isolate viable fat cells. The fat is carefully purified such that only a fraction of the donor fat removed will qualify for re-injection to the face.
Injection: The purified fat is then placed or transferred to the face with special cannulas. Our technique of injection enables the fat cells to receive adequate blood supply so that they can survive once inside the facial tissue.

What can I expect after the procedure?

Some soreness and swelling should be expected immediately after the procedure. Bruising may occur around harvested areas. You will need to limit your activity for two to three weeks. You will start to see long term results about one month after surgery.

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Fat Grafting FAQ's

The following information will answer many questions related to “fat grafting” or “natural fat transfer.”

What are the benefits of facial fat grafting?

This innovative procedure harvests fat from your own body. The fat is then used as a filler to restore lost volume in the cheeks, under the eyes and anywhere time and gravity have taken their toll. Results are long lasting, smooth and natural-looking.

What is body jet water-assisted liposuction?

Body jet water-assisted liposuction is a totally new liposuction technique and the first of its kind in the US. Using the flow of water to dislodge fat, this technique is unlike any other and provides many advantages. Using a gentle, pulsating spray of fluid, water-jet assisted liposuction dislodges fat without the force of traditional liposuction procedures. Fat is loosened from connective tissues and simultaneously extracted. This gentle method results in minimal bruising and tissue trauma, while still achieving excellent results. The fat is harvested safely and is in optimal condition for transfer to other areas of the body.

How long do the fat injections last?

If the donor fat is properly harvested and processed, a large percentage of fat cells will survive the crucial period until they begin to flourish in the new location. Once the cells are settled and have a blood supply, they remain for your lifetime. Of course, your face will naturally continue to age as time passes.

What are the risks involved with facial fat grafting?

As with any procedure, complications and risks include bruising and swelling, infection, adverse reactions to anesthesia, and problems with the healing of the skin. Smokers have a higher risk of complications during the skin healing process.

Is Dr. Leeman board-certified?

Yes, Dr. Leeman is actually double board-certified by both the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery. He is also a fellow of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.

Facial Fat Grafting