Micro-Fat Grafting in Knoxville: Is it Right for Me?

As you age, certain parts of your face will naturally tend to lose volume. This is caused by the reduction of natural fat pads which in younger years gave your face firmness and volume — and it’s typically one reason the dreaded excess skin and wrinkles that so many of us would love to avoid.

While injectable fillers are one way to restore fullness to your face and reduce the appearance of loose skin and wrinkles, micro-fat grafting can provide a more long-term solution to restore volume using natural fat from your own body. 

Let’s take a look at how micro-fat grafting works, what it can treat, and whether you may be a good candidate for the procedure. 

First, What is Fat Grafting? 

Generally, fat grafting is a procedure in which surgeons use fat cells harvested from the patient’s own body (often from the belly, hips, or thighs) to add volume to targeted areas. It’s a technique used often and very effectively in combination with other facial procedures, such as face, brow, or eyelid lifts. By grafting a patient’s own fat into key areas of the eye, cheek, and mouth regions while also removing and/or repositioning excess skin, skilled surgeons like Dr. Jay Lucas regularly achieve a beautiful, youthful transformation of their patient’s face. 

How is Micro-Fat Grafting Different?

The micro-fat grafting procedure works the same way as standard fat grafting but, as its name implies, involves a size difference — smaller instruments are used to harvest and inject fat cells, allowing for more precise placement and a smoother, natural-looking result.

It’s important to understand that aging affects the face in multiple ways, beyond just skin changes. Over time, the skin becomes thinner, deep fat pads in areas like the cheeks, eyes, and chin shrink, and even the bones around the mouth and eyes change shape. Because of this, treating facial aging effectively requires a combination of approaches:

• Skin quality: Sun damage and texture issues can be improved with treatments like chemical peels and lasers.
• Skin elasticity: Procedures like microneedling and medical-grade skincare help maintain firmness.
• Volume loss: Fillers or fat grafting restore fullness in areas like the under-eyes, cheeks, and jawline.

While micro-fat grafting is ideal for restoring lost volume, it can also complement non-invasive treatments like Ellacor, which provides subtle skin-tightening effects with minimal downtime. Though not a replacement for surgery, this combination can help delay the need for more invasive procedures. Consulting with an experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Lucas who is exploring Ellacor further helps ensure the best approach for lasting, natural-looking results.

The Steps

The process is pretty simple. In general, here’s how it works:

1. Your surgeon uses liposuction to remove fat cells from one or more areas of your body. 
2. Your harvested fat cells are purified and readied for insertion.
3. The surgeon injects those tiny fat cells into targeted regions to restore volume and a more youthful appearance. 

You May Be a Good Candidate for the Procedure if… 

• You’re concerned about sunken cheeks or sunken eyes
• You have deep vertical lines or creases around your mouth
• You’d like a longer-term solution than injectable fillers for restoring fullness to your face
• You’re already considering a brow lift, eyelid lift, or face lift

More FAQs on Micro-Fat Grafting

Is micro-fat grafting offered as a standalone service?

Yes, both micro- and standard fat grafting can be standalone services, although they often combine very well with other procedures. 

Is this a procedure that can be done in office, or does it have to be done at a hospital or surgery center?

When performed as a standalone procedure, micro-fat grafting can be done in the office using local anesthesia.

How long does micro-fat grafting take?

By itself, the procedure can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on the patient’s goals.

What is the recovery from micro-fat grafting like?

You can expect some swelling and bruising, which may take about two weeks to mostly resolve. Generally, recovery should not be uncomfortable. However, it is longer and involves more bruising than from injectable fillers like BOTOX® or JUVÉDERM® due to the size of the cannulas used. 

After the procedure, you can use makeup right away — except when combined with dermabrasion, which requires that you wait 10 days before applying makeup.  

Find What’s Best for You

Still have more questions? We get it! Selecting any plastic surgery procedure is a big step. As a premier plastic surgeon in Knoxville and an expert in advanced fat grafting techniques, Dr. Lucas can help you decide the best way to achieve your goals. When you schedule a consultation, he’ll take the time to get to know you, discuss your desired results, and make a plan to help you achieve lasting confidence in the skin you’re in. Give us a call at (865) 217-0572 or schedule online today.