In reality, facial ageing is a progressive process, rather than an abrupt event, and involves more than just skin laxity. Many individuals observe such changes as hollowed cheeks, lost facial volume, and deepened folds in concert with sagging skin. Facelift surgery addresses structural descent, but fails to restore the youthful fullness that dwindles with time naturally. That is why many are looking into combining a facelift with fat grafting for a comprehensive and well-rounded approach to facial rejuvenation.
Whether one is visiting the best facelift surgeon Los Angeles has to offer, or simply considering a facial lift in Orange County, fat grafting is commonly considered as a complementary procedure for reasons including its focus on the restoration of soft tissue volume with one's own fat.
Why a Face Lift Alone Cannot Correct All the Aging Facial Features
A face lift is designed to reposition underlying tissues and reduce skin laxity. However, changes in volume related to aging can continue to impact the way that the face appears even after tissues are lifted. Individuals may still notice:
Hollowing of the cheeks
Thinner lips or less-defined lips
Reduced fullness in the midface
Smoother transitions between regions of the face.
These features may give a tired or deflated appearance, even when the skin is smoother. The addition of fat grafting can support the facelift by enhancing the overall contour and balance of the face.
Understanding Fat Grafting
Fat grafting, or fat transfer, consists of taking a small amount of fat from another part of the body, preparing it, and placing it into areas where volume has decreased. Because it uses a person's own tissue, it is considered a natural option for enhancing facial fullness.
Potential benefits include:
A softer and more natural contour
Long-term volume support
Reduced reliance on synthetic fillers
Improved facial symmetry, considering the anatomy of the patient
The goal is not to change the face dramatically, but to help restore proportions that often diminish with age.
How Fat Grafting Complements a Facelift
1. Supports natural facial shape
A facelift lifts tissues, while fat grafting provides volume. Complementarily, they could also contribute to smoother transitions from one facial feature to another, resulting in a fresher appearance.
2. Reduces the appearance of deep folds
Areas like the nasolabial folds may not be softened entirely with lifting alone. Fat grafting can be added to provide additional support in places where it is appropriate.
3. Improves Midface and Cheek Contours
The midface commonly suffers from a loss of volume with age. Adding fat here helps restore youthful contours and enhance the lift from surgery.
4. May Contribute to Long-Lasting Results
While some of the fat that has been transferred will be absorbed in time, the remaining fat can go to support the facial structure. This can help to maintain the improvements achieved through the facelift.
These refinements often affect patient perception of before-and-after facelift outcomes, especially in cases where restoration of volume makes a significant difference in the outcome.
Who May Benefit From Combining the Procedures?
This combined approach may be of benefit to any individual interested in the management of both skin laxity and age-related volume loss. A person is considered a good candidate when they:
Prefer a natural volume enhancement method
Have noticeable midface hollowing or facial thinning
Want a more balanced result
Are undergoing a facelift and want to combine volume loss treatment in the same setting
A detailed consultation with a skilled surgeon determines whether this is the right fit for the patient's goals and anatomy.
The Combined Procedure: What to Expect
Fat grafting is often combined with facelift surgery. General steps in the procedure include:
HARVESTING: Fat is gently suctioned out from a particular site, such as the abdomen or thighs.
Processing: The adipose is prepared to isolate viable tissue.
Placement: Thin layers of fat are meticulously placed in the areas that have been targeted during consultation.
An experienced surgeon in both techniques—like those noted among the best facelift surgeon in Los Angeles providers—can help ensure that volume placement complements structural adjustments made during the facelift.
Expected Recovery and Results
Most people have some temporary swelling and bruising, which improves over time. Since everyone's healing process is different, results will always vary. The fat that survives and integrates into the tissue will provide the long-lasting support.
Generally, when comparing before and after facelift results, one may note:
Softer facial transitions
Better balance among facial features
Restored and natural-looking, rather than pulled too tight
These may vary based on factors such as surgical technique and personal healing.
Meet Dr.Ardesh
Dr. Ardesh, Beauty Mark MD, a double board certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, has delivered over 7,000 natural results with expertise and empathy. He formerly served as a college professor in the departments of head and neck surgery, ophthalmology, and dermatology at Loma Linda University, after which he established his private practice. Creating a refreshed look, not “worked on,” has established him as one of the best plastic surgeons in Beverly Hills and Newport Beach.
