I lost weight and my face looks hollow. Will fat grafting help?

Q. I have lost a fair amount of weight and I went to my doctor to see about facial fillers. He said it was better to do fat grafting because it lasts “forever.” What are your thoughts? Does it seem too good to be true?

A. Facial fat grafting, also known as fat transfer, is a procedure where fat is taken from one part of the body and injected into the face to restore volume and contour. While your doctor’s statement that the results can last forever has some truth, it’s important to manage expectations.

After a fat-grafting procedure, not all of the transferred fat survives. Typically, about 50-70% of the injected fat survives, while the rest is reabsorbed by the body within the first three to six months. The fat that does survive establishes a blood supply and can remain in place permanently.

But factors such as aging, weight fluctuations and lifestyle can affect the long-term results. If you lose a significant amount of weight after the procedure, the grafted fat may shrink, similar to fat in other parts of your body.

You can do additional fat grafting sessions to build on the initial results. Alternatively, non-surgical options like dermal fillers can provide volume and contour, though they are temporary and require maintenance. You may also want to consider surgical implants.

It’s crucial to discuss these possibilities with your doctor; a thorough consultation can help align expectations with outcomes.

Dr. Carlos Wolf is a partner in Miami Plastic Surgery and is board certified. Email questions to him at Cwolf@miamiplasticsurgery.com