Facial fat transfer is an excellent way to add volume to the face, creating a youthful and refreshed appearance. It offers many advantages, including long-lasting results. Still, you likely have questions about your facial fat transfer procedure and its recovery process. We’ll outline what you can expect in this post.
Facial Fat Transfer Before and After
Although facial fat transfer can be a standalone procedure, I typically use it to enhance the results of facelift surgery, as I wrote about in an earlier blog post. You can see the results of combining facial fat transfer and other procedures as part of a Reflection Lift in these before and after photos.
Facial Fat Transfer Recovery Time
Your recovery after facial fat transfer involves both the face and the area where I harvested the fat using liposuction. The donor area for the transferred fat is often the abdomen or abdominal flanks.
Facial Fat Transfer Recovery Day by Day
Even though each patient’s recovery is unique, the following recovery timeline for the first two weeks after surgery can help you prepare for your post-op experience.
First Day
Immediately after your procedure, you can expect swelling and bruising around the treated areas. The best way to support healing is to get plenty of rest. Follow our instructions on caring for your incision and injection sites and manage discomfort with prescribed medications.
Days 2-3
During the first couple of days, expect noticeable swelling and bruising, which is a normal part of the healing process. Keep your head elevated as much as possible to reduce swelling. You might feel some discomfort, which you can manage with pain relief medication and cold compresses. Continue to avoid any physical exertion and focus on resting, but take brief walks around your home to boost blood circulation.
Days 4-5
You’ll start to see gradual improvement as swelling and bruising begin subsiding, and you may notice a gradual improvement in your mood. It’s essential to maintain your aftercare routine, including keeping the treated areas clean and following specific care instructions. Continue light activities, such as walking, but avoid anything too strenuous.
Days 6-7
As you approach the end of the first week, you should see more noticeable changes in your swelling and bruising. The initial discomfort should decrease significantly, and you may begin to feel more like yourself. You may start to resume normal activities but avoid any heavy lifting or intense exercise.
Days 8-10
Your new facial contours become more apparent. Protect your face from sun exposure and avoid activities that might put pressure on the treated areas.
Days 11-14
Most patients can return to their normal daily routine after 2 weeks, with most visible signs of surgery having faded. Any residual swelling may remain present but will continue diminishing over the coming weeks. You can gradually reintroduce more rigorous activities but should still be cautious and listen to your body’s signals. By the second week, most patients feel comfortable going out in public with a little makeup to camouflage residual swelling or bruising.
Start With a Consultation
Facial fat transfer offers long-lasting results for those looking to rejuvenate their appearance, especially when combined with procedures such as a facelift and laser skin resurfacing. You can discuss your concerns with me by requesting a consultation using the online form or by calling my Nashville, Tennessee, office at (615) 942-8016.
