Facial Fat Grafting in Dallas, TX
Facial fat transfer, also known as fat grafting, has gained significant popularity over the past two decades. Dr. Sam Lam, a pioneer in facial fat grafting in Dallas, wrote the most popular textbook on the subject, Complementary Fat Grafting (published by Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins, 2006), and has lectured worldwide with an excellent safety record.
Fat grafting to the face has undergone criticism for three main reasons, all of which are unjustified when performed by a skilled surgeon. First, concerns about “pillow face” — Dr. Lam avoids this by selectively staying away from areas like the anterior cheek that can look distorted. Instead, he covers bony prominences to create a natural, refreshed appearance. Second, the belief that fat grafting is temporary is false. While some fat is absorbed, the majority provides permanent results minus further aging. Finally, concerns about lumpiness around the eyes are unfounded in experienced hands.
What Is Facial Fat Grafting?
Modern fat grafting evolved from early 20th-century attempts that often failed due to poor technique. Sid Coleman pioneered microdroplet injections for better survival, though his early patients often appeared overfilled.
Dr. Lam’s modern approach combines artistic vision with technical precision for natural, long-lasting results. The procedure involves harvesting fat from areas like the thighs or belly using handheld liposuction, processing it for purity, and re-injecting it into the face for volume restoration around the eyes, cheeks, and other areas.
Facial fat transfer has become Dr. Lam’s preferred method for eye rejuvenation, often combined with eyebag removal, laser, or upper eyelid surgery. It pairs well with blepharoplasty, facelift surgery, Botox, and fillers. Fat grafting cannot lift jawlines or fill mouth folds; facelifts and fillers work better for those concerns.
Dr. Lam focuses primarily on the periorbital (eye) area because fillers can migrate there even years later, and eye aging is paramount — we relate by looking into each other’s eyes. He also treats temples, outer cheeks, lips, earlobes, and other regions.
Good Candidates for Facial Fat Grafting
Ideal candidates are over 40 with aging signs, especially around the eyes, stable weight, and realistic expectations. Dr. Lam may combine fat grafting with blepharoplasty for optimal results.
He avoids fat grafting on very young patients whose weight may fluctuate significantly, since grafted fat responds to weight changes. He prefers performing the procedure when patients are slightly heavier, allowing for possible regain over time.
This 50-year-old woman is shown before and one year after an upper and lower blepharoplasty and fat grafting with good aesthetic rejuvenation.
Who is a Candidate for Facial Fat Grafting?
This 55-year-old woman is shown before and one year after an upper and lower blepharoplasty and fat grafting with good aesthetic rejuvenation.
The Procedure
The fat is then purified using a closed filtration system like PureGraft. The purified fat is placed into sterile syringes for precise placement.
Finally, Dr. Lam places microdroplets of fat with fine, blunt cannulas in areas that need volume restoration. The procedure takes 1-2 hours at Dr. Lam’s accredited facility in Dallas, with no large incisions or bandages. Unlike traditional facial surgery, standalone fat grafting requires no sutures, cutting, bandages, or drains.
The Recovery Process
Following fat grafting, discomfort is minimal. Harvested areas may be sore for a week; a light compressive garment helps. Facial discomfort is minimal even with concurrent blepharoplasty. The hardest part of recovery is the initial swelling. Dr. Lam’s mantra is: “No one likes it at a week; others will probably like it at two weeks; and it may take you three weeks to like the result.”
Good diet, stress reduction, and avoiding exercise for a week expedite healing. For the second week, minimize straining and bending over to speed up swelling reduction.
Aftercare is minimal with no incisions. Ice packs (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off) help reduce swelling for the first week, but rest, elevation, and diet do most of the work. If other procedures are performed, the aftercare timeline will vary.
Benefits of Facial Fat Grafting
- Natural-looking, long-lasting results
- More comprehensive than individual fillers
- Softens features and covers exposed bone of aging
- Creates a younger, rejuvenated appearance
- Permanent results after six months (minus further aging)
- Can be combined with other procedures
How Much Does Facial Fat Grafting Cost?
The cost of facial fat transfer varies based on several factors, including the extent of treatment areas, whether it’s combined with other procedures like blepharoplasty or facelift, facility fees, and anesthesia. The price reflects Dr. Lam’s expertise as a world authority on fat grafting with over 20 years of experience.
FAQs
If I’m on Ozempic (GLP-1 medications, Mounjaro, or other GLP-1 agonists), can I do a fat transfer?
Does Dr. Lam perform partial fat grafts?
He will perform partial grafts for patients under 40 to minimize the risk of weight gain over time. However, he discourages partial grafts for those over 40, since a full-face fat transfer achieves a global, balanced result at little additional cost.
Can Dr. Lam use fat grafting for reconstructive purposes to fill a defect or hole?
In general, no — fat grafting results can change with weight fluctuations, making it unreliable for precise reconstruction. However, he can coat over a wider area and partially fill a defect, with the understanding that fillers may still be needed for predictable results.
Will Dr. Lam put fat in my lips?
Dr. Lam discourages standalone lip fat grafting, since fillers are more reliable and you'd pay for anesthesia and facility fees for a potentially suboptimal result. However, if lip fat grafting is part of a full-face fat transfer, he includes it at no extra charge and believes it's a reasonable strategy.
Will Dr. Lam put fat into my earlobes?
Yes, Dr. Lam loves doing that. If you want earlobe fat grafting, remind him during your consultation and he'll include it as part of your full-face fat transfer if beneficial.
Contact Us to Learn More
If you’re interested in learning more about how facial fat grafting in Dallas can be helpful as part of your aesthetic goals, contact Lam Facial Plastics for a personal consultation with Dr. Sam Lam.
Dr Lam has helped me with fat transfer, botox, and fillers. He is an amazing person with a great personality. I would trust Dr Sam Lam with any Plastic, Reconstructive, or Cosmetic Surgeon procedure. His office runs like a well oiled machine and his staff are super friendly!
Facial Fat Grafting Videos
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One year out blepharoplasty, ptosis, fat grafting testimonial!
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One Year Deep Neck & Deep-Plane Facelift Results & Funny Story in Dallas, Texas
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9 months post upper and lower blepharoplasty, ptosis, fat grafting in Dallas, Texas with Dr. Lam
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One month after ptosis, fat grafting, blepharoplasty. #beforeandafter
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Story of the Week
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What women say: “I like my cheekbones.”
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Story of the Week
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Right-brain Results with Fat Grafting: What’s the Goal of a Fat Transfer to the Face
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Why fat grafting around the eyes is safe
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What are useless and dangerous fat grafts?
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What cheek areas I inject with fat and what cheek areas I no longer inject and why.
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Why the processing method for fat grafting matters for graft survival
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Why hand grafting is so important: Just Look at Nicole Kidman
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Explaining Fat Grafting and SuperTox Procedure Performed
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Fat Grafting and SuperTox Testimonial!
For more videos on fat grafting, please click here
Facial Fat Grafting Before and After Photos
For additional primary facial fat transfer photos, please click here
