Facial Fat Transfer in Antalya

Facial fat transfer uses your own fat as a filling material. A small amount is collected from an area such as the abdomen or inner thighs, purified and then placed in fine strands into parts of the face that have become hollow or flat. The aim is a softer, more rested look rather than a different face.

Op. Dr. Mehmet Ali Korkmaz is a specialist in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, trained at the Antalya Training and Research Hospital Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Clinic. He carries out facial fat grafting from his practice in Muratpaşa, Antalya, for patients from Turkey, the UK and elsewhere in Europe.

What is facial fat transfer?

Facial fat transfer is a small surgical procedure in which fat is moved from one part of your body to your face to restore volume. You may also see it called fat grafting, lipofilling, autologous fat transfer or fat injections.

With age, the fat compartments of the face shrink and shift downwards. Cheeks flatten, temples hollow and the area between the lower eyelid and cheek can look tired. Fat transfer replaces some of that lost volume with living tissue from your own body. Because the material is your own, there is no risk of an allergic reaction to it.

Fat transfer is not the same as liposuction. Liposuction removes larger volumes of fat to reshape the body; for fat grafting, only a small quantity is needed, often a few tens of millilitres for the whole face. The donor area is treated gently so that it is not left uneven.

Which areas of the face can be treated?

Fat can be used almost anywhere the face has lost structure or fullness. The most common areas are:

• Cheeks and midface – to restore the curve of the cheekbone and soften flattening
• Temples – to fill hollowing that makes the upper face look narrow
• Tear trough and lid–cheek junction – to soften dark, hollow-looking under-eye areas (this zone needs particular care because the skin is thin)
• Nasolabial folds and marionette lines – to reduce shadowing around the mouth
• Chin and jawline – to add modest projection or definition
• Lips – possible, although survival is less predictable here
• Acne scars and contour irregularities – selected depressed scars may improve, sometimes over more than one session

During your consultation, the areas are discussed in relation to your whole face. Adding volume in one place changes how neighbouring areas look, so the plan is about proportion, not filling every line.

Who is a good candidate for fat transfer?

Fat transfer suits healthy adults who have lost facial volume and would like a longer-lasting option than temporary fillers, provided they have enough fat to harvest. Suitability is always decided at a medical examination.

Usually suitable	Usually not suitable, or needs extra caution
Stable weight for at least several months	Planned major weight loss or gain
Hollow cheeks, temples or under-eye area	Active skin infection or inflammation on the face
Some donor fat on the abdomen, flanks or thighs	Very little body fat to harvest
Non-smoker, or willing to stop around surgery	Smoking that cannot be paused
Realistic expectations about gradual results	Uncontrolled diabetes, bleeding disorders or certain medications

If your main concern is loose or sagging skin, fat alone may not be enough. In that case, a lifting procedure, sometimes combined with fat, may be discussed.

How is the procedure carried out?

The procedure follows three steps: harvesting, processing and injecting. The whole operation usually takes one to two hours.

Harvesting

After local anaesthetic solution is placed in the donor area, fat is collected through a tiny incision using a thin, blunt cannula and low suction. Common donor sites are the lower abdomen, flanks, hips and inner thighs. The aim is to collect fat with as little damage to the cells as possible.

Processing

The collected fat is prepared to separate the healthy fat cells from fluid, oil and blood. Depending on the technique, this is done by centrifugation, decanting or filtering. The purified fat is then transferred into small syringes.

Injecting

The fat is placed through very small entry points using fine, blunt micro-cannulas. It is laid down in many tiny threads at different depths, rather than as a single deposit. This improves the chance of each graft picking up a new blood supply, which is what allows it to survive. The entry points are a few millimetres long and usually fade well.

Fat transfer can be performed under local anaesthesia with sedation or under general anaesthesia, depending on the extent of treatment and whether it is combined with other surgery.

How long does fat transfer to the face last?

Fat that survives the first few months generally stays long term, but not all of it survives. A proportion of the transferred fat is reabsorbed by the body during the first two to three months; what remains after around six months is usually stable.

How much fat survives varies between individuals and between areas of the face. Blood supply, smoking, the technique used and how the face moves all play a role. Because of this, the result is assessed after swelling has settled, and a second session is sometimes recommended. It is also important to remember that your face continues to age naturally, so the treated areas will change with time just as the rest of your face does.

What is recovery like after facial fat grafting?

Expect visible swelling and some bruising for the first one to two weeks. Most people feel well enough for desk work after about a week, but the face may still look fuller than the final result.

Time after treatment	What to expect
Days 1–3	Swelling peaks; face looks overfilled; donor area feels sore like a bruise
Days 4–7	Bruising fades; follow-up check in Antalya; most people can fly home
Weeks 2–3	Main swelling subsides; social activities possible with light make-up
Weeks 4–6	Remaining swelling continues to settle; gentle exercise usually allowed
Months 3–6	Retained fat becomes stable; result can be assessed

Aftercare tips

• Sleep with your head raised for the first week
• Avoid pressing, massaging or resting your face on the treated areas unless advised
• Wear the compression garment on the donor area as instructed
• Avoid saunas, intense sport and strong sun exposure for several weeks
• Do not smoke, as nicotine reduces blood flow to the grafts

What are the risks of fat transfer?

Fat transfer is generally well tolerated, but like any surgery it carries risks. These will be explained at your consultation:

• Swelling, bruising and temporary numbness
• Uneven results, asymmetry or under-correction, requiring a further session
• Over-correction or persistent fullness, particularly if weight increases
• Small lumps, oil cysts or areas of fat necrosis that can be felt or seen
• Visible irregularities if fat is placed too superficially, especially under the eyes
• Infection, bleeding or a haematoma
• Contour irregularities at the donor site
• Very rarely, fat entering a blood vessel, which can block circulation and cause serious complications such as skin loss, visual impairment or stroke

The last risk is rare but serious. It is the reason fat is injected slowly, in small amounts, with blunt cannulas and with detailed knowledge of facial anatomy.

How long should I stay in Antalya?

Plan to stay in Antalya for five to seven days. This allows for your consultation and examination before surgery, the procedure itself and a follow-up check before you travel.

If fat transfer is combined with another operation, a longer stay is usually needed. Once you are back home, you will receive written aftercare instructions, and it is sensible to let your GP know about the procedure. Any concerns during recovery can be discussed with the clinic.

Why consider Op. Dr. Mehmet Ali Korkmaz for fat transfer?

Op. Dr. Mehmet Ali Korkmaz graduated from Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine in 2012 and completed his specialist training in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery in Antalya. Before opening his private practice in Muratpaşa, he worked at Isparta City Hospital and Antalya Anadolu Hospital.

He examines every patient personally, explains the realistic range of outcomes and discusses whether fat transfer is the right choice or whether another approach would fit better. If you would like to find out whether facial fat grafting is suitable for you, you can contact the practice to arrange a consultation.