Facial Fat Grafting in San Diego, CA
As we age, the face doesn’t just develop excess skin — it also loses volume, particularly beneath the eyes and across the midface and cheeks. Facial fat grafting (also called fat transfer) addresses this directly, using your own fat to restore lost volume rather than a synthetic filler.
How it works
Fat is gently harvested from another area of the body through a small liposuction incision, then processed into a fine, purified form suitable for precise injection into delicate facial areas like the under-eye hollows and midface. Dr. McCoy uses the LipoCube system for this processing step, which is designed to produce a consistently fine, high-quality fat graft — an important factor in how smoothly the fat integrates and how much survives long-term in areas as thin and visible as the skin around the eyes.
Not all processed fat is the same
Fat grafts are generally grouped into three grades, each suited to a different goal: larger, minimally processed parcels (“millifat”) for structural volume; finely processed clusters (“microfat”) for moderate volume and contour refinement; and mechanically emulsified fat (“nanofat”), which contains no intact fat cells but is rich in adipose-derived stem cells and growth factors, used for skin quality rather than volume. Dr. McCoy selects the grade — or combination of grades — appropriate to each patient’s goals.
“My favorite thing about my work is the privilege of being trusted with a patient’s vulnerable side.”
~Dr. Allison McCoy
What to expect
The treated area is typically injected with slightly more volume than the final desired result, because a portion of the transferred fat is naturally reabsorbed over the following months, while the remainder establishes its own blood supply and becomes a permanent part of the tissue. Swelling is typically present for several weeks to months, and final results take time to fully settle.
Often combined with other procedures
Fat grafting is frequently performed alongside lower eyelid surgery, laser resurfacing or a skin pinch procedure for lower eyelid skin quality, or a midface lift, when a patient’s concerns involve both position and volume loss at the same time.
“Great surgery, like great design, is invisible in its effort and outcome.”
~Dr. Allison McCoy
Frequently Asked Questions
Is fat grafting permanent?
A portion of the transferred fat is reabsorbed by the body in the months following the procedure, but the fat that survives is considered a permanent addition to the treated area.
Where does the fat come from?
It’s harvested from another area of your own body through a small, minimally invasive liposuction incision.
Can this be done at the same time as eyelid or midface surgery?
Yes — commonly combined with lower eyelid surgery or a midface lift when both volume restoration and repositioning are part of the treatment plan.