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Waterfront Hospital

Facial Fat Transfer in Edinburgh

Facial fat transfer adds volume back to the parts of the face that have softened with time, using your own fat rather than synthetic filler. At Waterfront the procedure is performed using the Coleman technique — a refined approach designed for fat that survives and integrates rather than disappearing within months.

Patient considering facial fat transfer at Waterfront Private Hospital, Edinburgh

Contents

Overview

Fat transfer Edinburgh

  • TYPE OF ANAESTHETIC
    Local or General
  • LENGTH OF PROCEDURE
    1 hour
  • HOSPITAL STAY
    Walk-in walkout/ day surgery
  • RECOVERY
    few days to 1 week off work, 4 weeks before strenuous exercise
Waterfront Private Hospital

Facial fat transfer animation

What the procedure involves

Facial fat transfer at Waterfront uses the Coleman technique, developed by Dr Sydney Coleman as a refined method of fat grafting designed to maximise how much of the transferred fat survives long-term. The procedure involves three steps:

  • Gentle fat harvesting: fat is taken from a donor area — typically the abdomen, flanks or thighs — using specialised liposuction techniques that minimise damage to the fat cells.
  • Centrifugation and purification: the harvested fat is centrifuged, which separates and concentrates the fat cells from blood, oil and tumescent fluid. Only the purified fat is used for grafting.
  • Precise injection: the purified fat is injected into the target facial areas in small amounts, at varying depths, in a layered pattern. Distributing the fat this way improves blood supply to each parcel of grafted fat, which is what determines how much survives long-term.

The procedure is typically performed under local anaesthesia (sometimes with sedation) or general anaesthesia, depending on how much fat is being transferred and whether the procedure is combined with other facial surgery.

Benefits and expected outcomes

Facial fat transfer can address:

  • Loss of volume in the cheeks, temples and mid-face that has appeared with time, weight change, or as part of natural facial ageing
  • Hollowing under the eyes (the tear trough), where filler is often a poor long-term solution because the area swells unpredictably
  • Volume loss around the mouth that has deepened the nasolabial folds or marionette lines
  • A wish for a longer-lasting alternative to dermal filler, using your own tissue rather than a synthetic product
  • Volume restoration combined with another procedure — most commonly a facelift, lower eyelid surgery or brow lift

What it does not always achieve: a fully predictable volume in one go. Some of the transferred fat is reabsorbed by the body in the first three to six months — typically around 30–50%, depending on the area treated and individual factors. Your consultant will plan for this by slightly overcorrecting at the time of surgery, and a top-up procedure may sometimes be recommended once the result has settled. Fat that survives the first six months tends to behave like normal facial fat thereafter and lasts for years.

Before and after facial fat transfer photos

fat transfer to cheeks
fat transfer to cheeks
fat transfer to cheeks
fat transfer to cheeks
fat transfer to cheeks
fat transfer to cheeks
fat transfer to cheeks
facial fat transfer
facial fat transfer
facial fat transfer

Who is an Ideal Candidate?

Suitable candidates for facial fat transfer:

  • Have noticed loss of volume in the face — typically the cheeks, under eyes, temples or around the mouth — with time or weight change
  • Have enough fat in a donor area (abdomen, flanks or thighs) to harvest
  • Are in good general health with realistic expectations about how much volume can be restored in one session
  • Are non-smokers, or are willing to stop smoking well in advance of surgery to support fat survival
  • Want a longer-lasting alternative to dermal fillers, or are combining the procedure with other facial surgery

A consultation is a conversation, not a commitment to surgery. If we feel fat transfer is not the right answer for your case — for example, if filler would serve you better, or if a different procedure altogether is the more appropriate first step — we will say so honestly.

Risks and Considerations

Facial fat transfer is generally a low-risk procedure, but like any surgery it carries a defined set of risks that any patient should understand before deciding to go ahead:

  • Swelling and bruising: normal at both the donor area and the face. Settles over days to a week or two, but can take longer in the periorbital area.
  • Asymmetry: small differences between the two sides can occur. The Coleman technique aims to minimise this with measured, layered injection.
  • Fat absorption: typically 30–50% of the transferred fat is reabsorbed by the body in the first three to six months. Your consultant plans for this by slightly overcorrecting at surgery. A top-up procedure may be recommended once the result has settled.
  • Irregularities in skin texture: uncommon, but lumpiness or palpable irregularity can occur, particularly in thin-skinned areas. Skilled injection technique and gentle post-procedure massage reduce the risk.
  • Infection: small risk, as with any surgery.
  • Nerve disturbance: a small risk of temporary, or rarely permanent, changes in sensation at the donor site or treated areas.
  • Scarring: minimal — the harvest is via small liposuction incisions, and the facial injections leave no scars.
  • Anaesthesia risks: all anaesthetists involved in surgery at Waterfront are consultants in their own right.

Aftercare and recovery

Your recovery is led by the consultant who performed your surgery. A nurse reviews you at one week, and your consultant sees you again once everything has settled. Between appointments, our team are available whenever you have a concern — you do not need to wait for a scheduled review. Practical guidance on dressings, activity and returning to work is in our aftercare guide.

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What is the cost of facial fat transfer?

Guide prices for facial fat transfer at Waterfront Private Hospital:

  • Facial fat transfer under local anaesthesia: from £3,950
  • Facial fat transfer under general anaesthesia: from £4,900

Each price includes the surgeon’s fee, the anaesthetist’s fee where applicable, the procedure room fee, and all post-operative reviews until you are fully discharged. Where fat transfer is combined with another procedure — most commonly facelift or lower eyelid surgery — the combined cost is quoted individually after consultation.

If a top-up procedure is recommended once the initial result has settled, this is quoted at the time. The full price for your individual case can only be confirmed after a face-to-face consultation with the consultant who will perform your surgery. Our consultation fee with a consultant plastic surgeon is £200.

Frequently asked questions about facial fat transfer

Will the same surgeon plan, perform and review my fat transfer?
Yes. The consultant who assesses you at your first appointment is the consultant who plans your procedure, performs it, and follows you through every post-operative review. There is no handover between assessment and procedure, no patient coordinator, and no surgeon rotation.
How is facial fat transfer different from synthetic fillers?
Synthetic dermal fillers add volume immediately and predictably, but they are absorbed by the body over six to eighteen months and need to be repeated. Facial fat transfer uses your own tissue, which has the potential to integrate permanently with the face — although a portion (typically 30–50%) is reabsorbed in the first three to six months and the final result takes longer to see. Fat transfer is a bigger, more involved procedure than filler, but the volume that survives behaves like normal facial fat thereafter and lasts for years.
What is the Coleman technique and why does Waterfront use it?
The Coleman technique is a refined method of fat grafting developed by Dr Sydney Coleman. It emphasises gentle harvesting of the fat to minimise damage to the fat cells, careful centrifugation to purify the harvested fat, and precise injection of small amounts of fat at varying depths in a layered pattern. The aim is to maximise how much of the transferred fat survives long-term, which is what determines durability of the result. It is more time-consuming than less refined methods but is widely regarded as the gold standard for fat grafting.
How long do the results of facial fat transfer last?
The fat that survives the first three to six months tends to behave like normal facial fat from then on, meaning the result lasts for years. The natural ageing process continues regardless, and the volume gained from fat transfer ages with the rest of your face.
How is the fat harvested?
Fat is taken from a donor area — typically the abdomen, flanks or thighs — using small liposuction incisions. The amount harvested is modest, since only a relatively small volume is needed for facial work. The donor area heals with minimal scarring.
Can facial fat transfer help with acne scars?
Yes, in some cases. Adding volume beneath depressed acne scars can soften their appearance by lifting the scar towards the surrounding skin. The result is partial rather than total — fat transfer does not remove a scar, it disguises it. Your consultant will assess this honestly at consultation.
Can facial fat transfer be combined with other procedures?
Yes — frequently. The most common combinations are with a facelift (where fat transfer restores volume that lifting alone cannot achieve), with lower eyelid surgery (to soften the transition between lower lid and cheek), and with a brow lift. Combining procedures in a single operation shortens overall recovery time.
Who is an ideal candidate for facial fat transfer?
Suitable candidates have noticed volume loss in the face, have enough donor fat to harvest, are in good general health, and have realistic expectations about how much volume can be restored in one session and how much may need a top-up. Non-smokers do better — smoking reduces fat survival significantly. The assessment is made in person at consultation.
How do I prepare for a facial fat transfer?
Preparation includes a pre-operative assessment, stopping certain medications and supplements that may increase bleeding risk, and stopping smoking. Maintaining a stable weight in the weeks before surgery helps with the predictability of the result, as significant weight loss after surgery can affect the volume that survives. Your consultant will provide specific instructions tailored to your circumstances.
What is the recovery time for facial fat transfer?
Most patients take a few days to a week off work, depending on how visible the bruising is. Bruising and swelling settle over two to three weeks. Strenuous exercise should be avoided for around four weeks. The early result is fuller than the final result; final volume is judged at around six months.

Recovery from facial fat transfer is relatively quick because the procedure is largely injection-based rather than incision-based.

Bruising and swelling at the donor area and the face are normal in the first few days and continue to settle over two to three weeks. Most patients take a few days to a week off work, depending on how visible the bruising is. Strenuous exercise should be avoided for around four weeks. The early result will look fuller than the final result, because some of the transferred fat is reabsorbed in the first three to six months. The final volume should be judged at around six months.

A nurse reviews you at one week, and more often if needed, in the early healing period. Your consultant sees you again at around six months once the result has settled. Between then, your consultant is always available — if anything concerns you, they will respond directly and arrange to see you as soon as needed.

What are the risks of facial fat transfer?
Risks include swelling and bruising, asymmetry, fat absorption above the expected range, lumpiness or skin-texture irregularities (uncommon), infection, nerve disturbance, and the general risks of anaesthesia. Specific risks for your case will be discussed in detail at consultation.
What happens if I have concerns after my surgery?
All patients are seen by a nurse at one week, and more often if needed in the early healing period. Your consultant reviews you again at around six months once the result has settled. Between those reviews, your consultant is always available — if anything concerns you, they will respond directly and arrange to see you as soon as needed.
How much does facial fat transfer cost?
Guide prices are listed in the Cost section above. The full price for your individual case is confirmed after a face-to-face consultation with the consultant who will perform your surgery.

Our facial fat transfer specialists

Excellent care

Everyone I met at Waterfront Private Hospital was friendly, helpful and thorough, and went the extra mile, including the whole medical and admin teams which were fantastic.
Mr Will Anderson carried out my surgery with great care and professionalism and listened carefully to, and addressed, all of my concerns. Thank you!
I’ve also had excellent communication with Debbie and Janey in emails and phone calls, sometimes over weekends/on days off.
The standard of care has been superb and I would return without hesitation.
My thanks to the whole team.

Mary
Dec 2023

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Author

Mr Omar Quaba - Consultant Plastic Surgeon

Mr Omar Quaba, MBBChir, FRCS (Plast), GMC 4586300, is a Consultant Plastic Surgeon with over 20 years of experience in plastic surgery. Based at Waterfront Private Hospital in Edinburgh, he is fully accredited on the GMC Specialist Register and specialises in advanced cosmetic procedures. Full member of BAAPS.

Waterfront Private Hospital Edinburgh

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