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Facial fat transfer (fat grafting) in Istanbul
For volume lost from the cheeks, temples, under-eye area or lips, or dents after injury or surgery: how it works, what recovery involves and why results vary.
- Operation time Under an hour to a few hours, depending on extent
- Hospital stay Usually same day; sometimes one night
- Time in Istanbul About 7 days; 7–10 days after general anaesthesia
- Back to work 1–2 weeks; some people need longer
What is facial fat grafting?
Facial fat transfer (fat grafting, lipofilling) takes fat from an area such as the abdomen, hips or thighs, purifies it and injects it in tiny amounts where the face has lost volume: the cheeks, temples, under-eye groove, smile lines, lips or chin. Because it is your own tissue, the fat itself does not cause allergic reactions. It is done under local or general anaesthesia, often as a day case. Bruising and swelling can last a few weeks, and part of the fat is absorbed in the first months, so the result is judged at around six months.
What it can do
- Restore volume lost with age in the cheeks, temples and under the eyes
- Soften deep smile lines and add volume to thin lips
- Even out asymmetry, scars or dents after injury or surgery
What it cannot do
- Predict exactly how much fat will survive
- Always be completed in one session; some people need a top-up
- Stay unchanged if your weight changes
Is it right for you?
Fat transfer suits people with lost or uneven facial volume who have fat to spare elsewhere.
Usually a good fit if
- Your cheeks, temples or under-eye area have hollowed, or your smile lines have deepened
- You have asymmetry, scars or dents after injury or a previous operation
- Your weight is close to your ideal and stable
- You are healthy, do not smoke and have a donor area with fat to spare
Better to wait or consider alternatives if
- You plan to lose weight, or your weight keeps rising
- Fat injected before was mostly absorbed; this tends to happen again
- You are very slim, with little fat to harvest
- You cannot pause aspirin or anti-inflammatories, or you bleed easily
- You expect a precise volume from one session, or you are under 18
Techniques
Every fat transfer has three stages: harvesting, processing and injecting.
Structural fat grafting (Coleman technique)
Fat is harvested at low pressure, separated by centrifuge and placed in tiny amounts through many fine tunnels as the cannula is withdrawn, which helps avoid injecting into a blood vessel.
Best for
Restoring volume in the cheeks, temples and smile lines.
Over-filling and staged sessions
Slight over-filling, of about 20%, is often used to allow for absorption. Large areas, or fat that took poorly, may need a second session.
Best for
Larger volume loss, or a top-up after a first session.
Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker
Specialist in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery
- Specialist training: Dokuz Eylül University
- Medical degree: Trakya University
- Health tourism authorization: ST-2657
- Dr. İlker speaks English and Turkish.
How Dr. İlker approaches facial fat transfer
Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker is a specialist in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, trained at Dokuz Eylül University. She writes that well-planned fat transfer is one of the procedures she most enjoys: fat is taken from where you have more than you would like and placed where the face has lost it.
She uses local anaesthesia for small injections and general anaesthesia when more fat is harvested. Even for a small area, she states that it must be done in an operating theatre. Fat is usually taken from the hips, thighs, inner knees or abdomen.
- Volume mapped area by area Hollows, asymmetries and weight history are assessed before a plan is made.
- Often combined It is frequently planned alongside another operation, such as liposuction.
- Honest about survival You are told plainly that only part of the fat survives and a top-up is sometimes needed.
The operation, step by step
Small facial areas may take under an hour; larger or combined work takes longer.
-
Consultation and mapping
Areas of volume loss are mapped, a donor site is chosen and earlier filler or fat results are reviewed.
-
Anaesthesia
Local anaesthesia for small areas, general anaesthesia for more extensive work.
-
Harvesting and processing
Fat is drawn out through small incisions with a thin cannula, much like liposuction, then separated from blood and fluid.
-
Injecting
Tiny amounts are placed at different depths with fine cannulas while withdrawing; in high-risk areas, such as between the brows, the fat stays superficial. Injection points usually need no stitches.
-
Dressing and going home
The donor area is dressed and may be compressed; the face usually needs no dressing. Most people go home the same day.
Your days in Istanbul
ASPS advises waiting 7–10 days after facial procedures before flying, and bruising can be visible for a week or two.
-
Examination first
Before surgery
UK guidance (BAAPS) suggests being examined in person at least 48 hours before surgery, or arriving 72 hours ahead if you have general anaesthesia.
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Swelling and bruising
The first days
Rest with your head raised and do not press on treated areas. Skip sunbathing, alcohol, swimming and long tours.
-
A final check
Before you fly home
BAAPS recommends a check by your operating surgeon before you leave; donor-site stitches are removed if needed.
Recovery, day by day
Recovery takes longer than after fillers, and some fat is absorbed in the first months. These are typical ranges, not promises.
- Day 1
Swollen and bruised
Face and donor area are swollen and bruised, with mild pain. Keep your head raised.
- Days 2–3
Fuller than planned
Over-filling can make your face look fuller than the final result. Do not massage the treated areas.
- Week 1
Bruises fading
Bruising and swelling continue; some people return to work after the first week.
- Week 2
Back to routine
Most people are working again by about two weeks. Flying is usually possible after 7–10 days, once your surgeon agrees.
- Weeks 3–4
Lingering swelling
The face's rich blood supply can keep swelling going. Strenuous activity can usually resume after 2–3 weeks.
- Months 2–3
Some fat absorbed
Part of the injected fat is absorbed. Keep your weight stable.
- Month 6
A readable result
The result is usually clear by about six months; a top-up can be discussed then.
- Month 12
Long-lasting volume
Fat that has survived stays, but it follows your weight up or down.
Contact us straight away if you notice
- Sudden loss or blurring of vision, or pain in or around the eye: seek emergency care at once
- Severe headache, dizziness, nausea or vomiting
- Numbness or weakness, which can be signs of a stroke: call emergency services
- Increasing swelling, redness or pain, which can signal infection
In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
Aftercare at home
- Do not press, massage or sleep on the treated areas until your surgeon says so.
- Wear the donor-site garment or dressing as instructed.
- Avoid strenuous exercise for 2–3 weeks.
- Avoid medicines and supplements that increase bleeding unless your doctor approves them.
- Protect small donor-site scars from the sun for the first year.
Risks and how they are reduced
Most problems are expected and temporary. A few serious complications have been reported, so technique and the areas injected matter.
Fine blunt cannulas, low pressure, tiny amounts placed while withdrawing and superficial placement in high-risk zones protect against vessel blockage; no nicotine and a stable weight support graft survival.
| Risk | How often |
|---|---|
Bruising, swelling, numbness and small scarsExpected; bruising and swelling can last a few weeks, and the donor incisions leave small scars. | Common |
Partial loss of volumeIn a review of 27 studies (1,011 patients), facial fat survival ranged from 26% to 83%, averaging about 47%. | Common |
Lumps, cysts or irregularitiesAreas can look over- or under-filled or uneven, and fat that does not survive can form firm lumps or calcify. | Uncommon |
Infection or haematomaIncreasing swelling, redness or pain should be checked promptly. | Uncommon |
Blocked blood vesselFat entering an artery can cause blindness, stroke or, in a few reported cases, death. A 2023 review gathered 61 cases, most often after injections between the brows or into several areas, then the temples and forehead. The true frequency is unknown but very low. | Rare |
Results and how long they last
Swelling settles over a few weeks and part of the fat is absorbed in the first months, so the result is judged at around six months.
Fat that survives is long-lasting and behaves like fat elsewhere in your body, changing with weight gain or loss. How much survives varies widely, and some people need a top-up.
How long it lasts: Surviving fat is long-lasting, but your face keeps ageing and the graft follows your weight.
With any surgical or interventional procedure, results vary from person to person. We recommend a detailed consultation with your doctor before any procedure.
Before and after
Before and after photos are shared only with patients’ written consent. You can ask to see examples during your consultation.
Before and afterQuestions to ask at your consultation
Take these to any surgeon you see — including us.
- Are you a specialist in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, and where did you train?
- Which areas would you treat, and where would the fat come from?
- How much fat do you expect to survive, and how likely is a top-up?
- How do you reduce the risk of fat entering a blood vessel?
- Where will the operation take place, and under what anaesthesia?
- Whom do I contact if a problem appears after I fly home?
What shapes your plan and quote
After Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker has examined you, you receive a personal written plan that states what is included. It depends on:
- How many areas are treated and how much fat is needed
- Local or general anaesthesia, and any overnight stay
- Whether it is combined with another operation
- Whether a later top-up session is needed
We do not publish prices: every plan is personal and is written for you after your assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Is facial fat transfer permanent?
Fat that survives is long-lasting, but part of the injected fat is absorbed in the first months. In a review of 27 studies, about 47% survived on average, with wide variation between people, and later weight changes can alter the result.
Why does my face look so full after fat transfer?
Surgeons often add slightly more fat than needed to allow for absorption, and the face's rich blood supply can make swelling linger. The fullness settles over the following weeks, and the final result is usually judged at around six months.
How many fat transfer sessions will I need?
It depends on the area and the volume needed. Lips are often treated in one session, while larger areas, or fat that did not survive well the first time, may need another. Your surgeon can estimate this, but cannot predict it exactly.
Fat transfer or fillers: which should I choose?
Fat is your own tissue and the part that survives is long-lasting, but it needs an operating theatre, a donor area and a longer recovery, and survival is unpredictable. Dermal fillers are quicker but temporary. Your face and goals decide.
How long is the recovery after facial fat transfer?
Longer than after fillers. Bruising and swelling can be noticeable for a few weeks, and most people return to work within one to two weeks. Strenuous exercise usually waits two to three weeks, so plan your trip and commitments around it.
What are the risks of fat transfer to the face?
Common: bruising, swelling, irregularity and some loss of volume. Less common: lumps, cysts and infection. Very rare but serious: fat entering an artery and causing blindness or stroke, which is why careful technique matters, especially between the brows and at the temples.
What happens if I gain or lose weight after fat transfer?
Grafted fat behaves like the fat it came from, so it can grow with weight gain and shrink with weight loss. That is why people expecting big weight changes are usually advised to wait until their weight has been stable for a while.
Where is the fat taken from?
Usually from areas with fat to spare, such as the abdomen, hips or thighs; the inner knee can also be used. Small incisions are made there, and the donor area may be compressed afterwards. The site is chosen at your examination.
Is facial fat transfer painful?
Anaesthesia keeps you comfortable during the operation. Afterwards there may be pain for a few days to weeks, in the face and the donor area, usually controlled with painkillers. Ask in advance which painkillers you can take, since some increase bleeding.
How long should I stay in Istanbul for facial fat transfer?
Plan on around 7 days for a small procedure under local anaesthesia, and 7–10 days after general anaesthesia or longer surgery. ASPS advises waiting 7–10 days after facial procedures before flying, and bruising may still be visible when you travel.
Medical informationThe information on this page is general information only. It is not medical advice and does not replace a diagnosis or treatment. Every surgical and interventional procedure carries risks, which will be explained to you in detail during your consultation. Whether this procedure suits you can only be decided after an in-person examination and assessment. We encourage you to also seek independent advice from your own doctor before deciding.
Sources
- NHS: Surgical fat transfer
- Cleveland Clinic: Fat transfer
- StatPearls: Autologous fat grafting for facial rejuvenation
- Lv et al. Volume retention after facial fat grafting: meta-analysis (2021)
- Moellhoff et al. Arterial embolism after facial fat grafting: systematic review (2023)
- BAAPS: Facelift and necklift
- ASPS: Cosmetic surgery tourism
- BAAPS: Cosmetic tourism guidelines (2023)
A conversation, at your pace.
Fat or filler: which would suit your face?
Send your questions and, if you wish, photos. Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker can tell you whether an examination makes sense.
- Nef 22 Ataköy, D Blok, Kat 1, Daire 36, Çobançeşme E-5 Yanyol Cad. No:22, Bakırköy / İstanbul
- Monday to Saturday, 10:00–18:00
- +90 542 280 27 51
- Dr. İlker speaks English and Turkish.
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