Skip to main content
Model
Bonaldi Aesthetics

Facial Fat Grafting in Reno, NV

To many people, a vibrant face signals energy and vitality. In addition to skin laxity, losing plump facial fat can contribute to an aged appearance. Decreased volume can cause wrinkles, hollow cheeks, and overly angular features that make you appear older than you are. While a facelift can improve skin laxity, it cannot comprehensively treat volume loss throughout the face.

What Is Facial Fat Grafting?

Facial fat transfer, also known as fat injection or fat grafting, is designed to enhance contours, restore volume, and rejuvenate the face using the patient’s own fat cells. This technique involves harvesting fat from one area, such as the abdomen or thighs, purifying it, and then injecting it into specific areas of the face to achieve natural-looking results.

Why Choose Bonaldi Aesthetics for Facial Fat Transfer in Reno?

Dr. Louis A. Bonaldi is a world-renowned, board-certified plastic surgeon who practices his craft with precision and compassion. 30-plus years of experience performing facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, along with his dedicated, knowledgeable, and helpful team of professionals, make Bonaldi Aesthetics the smart choice for your facial fat grafting procedure.

Call Bonaldi Aesthetics at (775) 828-7400 to schedule your Reno, Nevada, facial fat transfer consultation.

Model
lovely mature woman Actual Bonaldi Aesthetics Patient

What Improvements Can Facial Fat Transfer Achieve?

Reverse Facial Aging

The main goal of facial fat grafting is to reverse signs of facial aging. Each fat transfer procedure is tailored to target your specific areas of concern. Whether plumping hollow cheeks or filling in wrinkles, fat transfer can treat minimal to extensive signs of facial aging. Fat grafting reverses facial aging more precisely by using a less invasive, fine needle technique.

Smooths Skin Texture

In addition to restoring volume and filling in wrinkles, fat transfer can soften the appearance of acne and trauma scarring for a smoother facial appearance.

Enhance Lips

Women, in particular, can find that they lose volume in and around their lips as they age, leading to thinning or the development of lines around the mouth. Some patients may attempt to address this volume loss with dermal fillers, but they only provide a temporary solution. Fat grafting to thinning lips can permanently restore their fullness while maintaining a natural appearance.

Improve Facial Contours

Individuals may choose fat grafting to enhance their natural facial contouring. While silicone implants can be used to define facial structures, fat grafting can achieve the same results by plumping specific areas of the face using the patient’s fat. Adding volume and definition to the chin, cheeks, or jawline can help patients achieve the facial contour they desire.

What Other Benefits Does Facial Fat Transfer Offer?

Stem Cells Provide Long-Lasting Results

Dr. Bonaldi prefers facial fat transfer over dermal fillers for some patients because of the fatty tissue’s high concentration of stem cells. These stem cells can stimulate cellular regeneration in facial tissues, improving texture, smoothing skin, and ensuring the longest-lasting results possible.

Options for Body Contouring

Patients often prefer facial fat grafting because it provides both facial and body contouring benefits with natural results. Fat grafting uses purified patient-harvested fat for transfer, which is removed via liposuction from the abdomen, hips, thighs, or back. Dr. Bonaldi’s fat-removal process ensures the preservation of fat cells while gently contouring problem areas of your body.

Less Invasive Technique for Shorter Recovery Time

Facial fat grafting doesn’t require the same extensive recovery process as facelift surgery. You can benefit from a quicker facial fat grafting recovery period if you have volume loss and little to no skin laxity. Most patients can return to their normal routine within a few days of their procedure. Some limitations may exist for several weeks but not to the extent of recovery after facelift surgery.

Combines Easily With Other Procedures

Fat grafting is the ideal treatment to combine with other facial procedures. If you have volume loss and laxity of the facial tissues, a combination procedure may be right for you. Patients can choose to combine their fat grafting procedure with a facelift, a brow lift, or eyelid surgery to ensure quality, long-lasting results.

To learn more or to schedule a consultation at Bonaldi Aesthetics, call us at (775) 828-7400.

Model
Patient with staff going over vectra 3D imaging Patient Consultation

The Fat Transfer Procedure: What to Expect

The first step in the facial fat transfer process is a thorough consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon or cosmetic surgeon. During this consultation, Dr. Bonaldi will review medical history, assess facial anatomy, discuss aesthetic goals, and determine candidacy. If so, a customized treatment plan is created, and the procedure can be scheduled. Fat transfer involves the following:

Harvesting of Fat

On the day of the procedure, after an anesthetic is administered, liposuction is performed to harvest fat from the donor site, which may include the abdomen, thighs, or buttocks. The liposuction procedure involves making small incisions in the donor area and inserting a thin cannula to gently suction out the fat cells.

Purification of Fat

Once harvested, the fat cells are processed and purified to remove excess fluids, blood, and debris. This purification step ensures that only quality fat components are used for injection into the face.

Injection and Facial Fat Transfer

After purification, the fat cells are carefully injected into the targeted facial areas to restore volume, fill in wrinkles or hollows, and enhance facial contours. The injection sites may include the cheeks, temples, nasolabial folds, under-eye area, and lips, depending on individual needs and goals.

What Can I Expect During My Facial Fat Transfer Recovery?

You can expect minimal bruising and swelling at the sites of fat removal and fat injections, which should begin to subside within one to two days. Sutures along the harvesting site are dissolvable and won’t require removal. You should be able to return to work within three to five days of your procedure but may need to limit physical activities depending on the extent of liposuction required. Dr. Bonaldi will determine when you can resume all regular activities.

When Will I See My Facial Fat Transfer Results?

The results of facial fat transfer are typically noticeable immediately after the procedure, although some swelling and bruising may initially obscure the results. As the swelling subsides and the fat cells settle into place, you will begin to see the full effects of the treatment and gain a noticeable improvement in fine lines and wrinkles. Volume restoration and facial contouring may take several days or weeks to take full effect.

The results of facial fat transfer are natural looking and long lasting. The transferred fat cells integrate with the surrounding tissues, but it’s important to note that not all fat cells survive after transfer. Some degree of fat absorption is expected within the first few months following the procedure. Dr. Bonaldi considers this absorption and may add extra fat to compensate for the loss of some fat cells to ensure your desired outcome.

Commit to a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and a quality skin care regimen, to maintain the results of your facial fat transfer. Periodic touch-up treatments can address future volume loss or changes in facial contours over time.

Your Reno, Nevada, Facial Fat Transfer Specialist

Facial fat transfer is highly effective and versatile for restoring volume, enhancing contours, and rejuvenating the face. Learn more about facial fat transfer, and if it’s right for you, call (775) 828-7400 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Bonaldi.

Frequently Asked Questions About Facial Fat Transfer

A fine needle technique is used to inject fat into the face, which doesn’t leave any visible scarring. Minor scarring may develop at the site of your fat removal, but great care is taken to place incisions in discreet locations. Any scarring that does develop is likely to fade over time.

The cost of a fat transfer procedure in Reno, NV, is decided based on surgical, facility, and anesthesia fees, as well as the size of the treatment area.

Many patients report only mild discomfort following their procedure. Medication is often prescribed to treat post-procedural pain.

Most patients can undergo fat transfer while under a local anesthetic. However, general anesthesia is available for patients who require it.

While the longevity of results can vary among patients, many individuals can expect the results of facial fat transfer to last for several years, with some patients experiencing permanent improvement. However, factors such as aging, weight fluctuations, and lifestyle habits can impact the longevity of results.

Patients come from all over to see Dr. Bonaldi.

We are proud to welcome patients from across the United States. Men and women come from coast to coast to see Dr. Bonaldi and our team, thanks to the high level of care and results offered. Whether you are a Reno native or visiting us from out of town, we can’t wait to welcome you to the Bonaldi Aesthetics family.

Contact Us

We are always happy to hear from you and to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have. Our goal is to have informed, relaxed, satisfied patients, and we’re here to help in any way possible.

Two convenient Locations

Bonaldi Aesthetics

Plastic Surgery & Med Spa
6630 S McCarran Blvd, Suite B20
Reno, NV 89509

Phone

(775) 828-7400

Bonaldi Aesthetics Med Spa

1910 E College Pkwy, Suite 130
Carson City, NV 89706
(Next to Bella Salon & Spa.)

Phone

(775) 828-7400
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.