Micro Fat Grafting in the Toronto Area

Toronto plastic surgeons Dr. Derek Ford and Dr. Steven Hanna perform fat grafting, or fat transfer, to soften creases and replace lost volume for a natural-looking facial restoration. Often performed in combination with face and neck procedures, fat grafting is an innovative way to add soft, youthful contours to your face with very little risk of an adverse reaction. Both Dr. Ford and Dr. Hanna have specialized training in this multi-faceted procedure.  

If you think your face could benefit from a bit of additional volume, request a consultation online with one of our surgeons. You may also call our Toronto office at  (416) 925-7337 or our Oshawa office at  (905) 743-9888 to schedule your appointment.

This procedure requires specialized training, and Dr. Ford trained with plastic surgeons Dr. Sydney Coleman and Dr. Roger Khouri — both pioneers in fat grafting techniques.

Introduction & Indications

Fat grafting is a procedure which involves harvesting fat from a donor site on your body (typically the abdomen or thighs), purifying it through a special process, and using it to augment areas of your face such as the cheeks and hollows beneath the eyes. Because the procedure uses the patient’s own fat instead of a synthetic filler, results are typically very long-lasting. Fat grafting can also be used to enhance the volume of other areas of the body, including the breasts, hips, or buttocks.

Assessment

During your initial consultation, your surgeon examines your entire face to determine where you may benefit from fat grafting. Through a brief physical examination of your legs or abdomen, he also determines whether you have enough donor fat to use for the procedure. Fat grafting is not an effective solution for lips. If you wish to enhance the size or shape of your lips, our surgeons often recommend an injectable filler for the best results.

If you and your surgeon determine that you are a candidate, you discuss the surgical process and your projected recuperation to ensure the surgery is a good fit for your lifestyle.

Procedure

In some cases, fat grafting can be performed using a combination of local anesthesia with intravenous sedation. Your surgeon begins by performing a gentle form of liposuction on your predetermined donor site. While you are still anesthetized, he purifies the donor fat using a special process. He then adds the fat to your face, carefully sculpting it to give you the contours and definition you desire.

If you undergo fat grafting as an accompaniment to facelift, you will likely need general anesthesia to ensure your complete comfort during and after surgery. Your surgeon reviews the specifics of your procedure well before the surgery date.

Recuperating After Surgery

The details of your recuperation depend largely on the scope of your surgery. If you underwent facelift surgery in addition to fat grafting, you will likely require up to 2 weeks off from work and other social activities. It’s also important to keep the donor site supported, since temporary swelling is a common effect of liposuction. You may need to wear a special compression garment to reduce swelling. Your surgeon gives you a more specific timeline of your projected recuperation during your consultation and subsequent pre-op appointments.

Fat Grafting Considerations

No surgery is completely free of risk, but fat grafting is widely regarded as safe thanks to its use of the patient’s own fat. Your individual risks may vary, and your surgeon carefully considers your personal health history before proceeding with surgery.

While patient experiences vary, you can expect the soft, contoured results of your fat grafting treatment to be long-lasting.