Guide:
- What Is Facial Fat Grafting?
- Common Reasons Patients Choose This Procedure
- Ideal Physical and Health Criteria
- What Disqualifies a Candidate?
- Before and After: See the Results
- How to Find Out if Facial Fat Transfer is Right for You
One of the frustrating consequences of aging is a gradual change in overall facial volume.
It often starts with a moment in the mirror — noticing how the cheeks seem a little more hollow, or how the under-eye area feels more tired than expressive. These subtle shifts in volume can appear gradually, but for many, they begin to change the way they feel in their skin.
Volume loss doesn’t just affect contour — it changes the way your emotions are read.
Full cheeks and temples reflect vitality, softness, and openness. As that volume fades, some patients find their expressions appear tired, even when they feel energetic inside. Fat transfer helps restore harmony between how you feel and how you’re seen.
Dermal fillers offer a temporary solution for boosting volume and restoring your appearance. But patients are increasingly looking for a longer-lasting, more natural solution to the problem.
That’s where facial fat transfer comes in. If you’ve ever wondered “Am I a candidate for facial fat grafting?” this guide is here to help.
What Is Facial Fat Grafting?
Facial fat transfer (also known as facial fat grafting) is a minimally-invasive procedure that uses your body’s own fat to restore your lost facial volume. It’s a gentle, biocompatible alternative to synthetic fillers and offers results that can last for years.
Here’s how it works: a small amount of fat is carefully harvested from a donor area (like the abdomen or thighs), purified, and then artistically re-injected into targeted areas of the face.
Unlike temporary fillers that are metabolized over time, fat grafts have the potential to survive long-term. They integrate into your tissues, supporting a softer, more natural-looking rejuvenation.
Learn more about the procedure
Common Reasons Patients Choose This Procedure
Facial fat transfer isn’t just about looking younger—it’s about restoring harmony and softness to the face in a way that feels true to you. Patients often come to Dr. Ho Taghva for:
- Hollow cheeks or under-eye hollowness
- Temple deflation or volume loss in the midface
- Facial changes following weight loss or illness
- A desire to avoid repeated filler appointments
- Concerns about filler migration or overfilled appearance
- Preference for a more natural, long-term option
Many find that fat grafting feels less like a “tweak” and more like a subtle return to how they used to look.
Ideal Physical and Health Criteria
So, who is a good facial fat transfer candidate?
Ideal candidates for facial fat transfer are generally in good overall health, with no major uncontrolled medical issues.
Non-smokers, or those willing to quit in preparation for surgery, tend to heal better and see more reliable results. It’s also important to have enough donor fat available for harvesting, typically from areas like the abdomen, flanks, or thighs.
A strong commitment to the recovery process and follow-up care is essential, as is having realistic expectations about the outcome and how long the results may last.
There’s no fixed “best age” for fat transfer. Patients in their 30s or 40s often choose the procedure to address early signs of volume loss, while those in their 50s and 60s may incorporate fat grafting into a larger rejuvenation plan, such as a facelift, for more comprehensive results.
What Disqualifies a Candidate?
Not everyone is an ideal candidate—but that doesn’t mean you don’t have options.
You may not be suitable for facial fat grafting if you:
- Have very low body fat and lack donor tissue
- Struggle with uncontrolled conditions like diabetes or autoimmune disease
- Have a history of poor wound healing or scarring
- Are hoping for dramatic changes that fat transfer alone can’t deliver
Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva takes a compassionate and individualized approach. If fat transfer isn’t right for you, she’ll guide you toward safer or more effective treatments based on your goals.
Before and After: See the Results
Want to see what’s possible?
View our before-and-after fat transfer photos to explore real patient transformations. These results are a testament to the artistry and precision behind Dr. Ho Taghva’s approach to facial harmony.
How to Find Out if Facial Fat Transfer is Right for You
The best way to know if you’re a candidate is through a personalized consultation. Dr. Ho Taghva offers both in-person and virtual appointments to help guide you through the decision-making process with care, honesty, and expertise.
Whether you’re looking to restore youthful contours or simply learn more about your options, we’re here to support you at every step.
If you’re exploring options for facial rejuvenation and want something that feels aligned with your body, your values, and your goals, facial fat transfer may be a beautiful place to begin.
Every face tells a story — and we’re here to help yours reflect who you are, not just how you age.
Schedule your virtual consultation with Dr. Ho Taghva today!
