Facial Fat Transfer in Charlotte, NC

Facial fat transfer is a natural alternative to dermal fillers that adds and restores volume using your own excess fat. It can be performed on its own for a natural-looking facial rejuvenation or combined with facelifts, eyelid surgery, and other facial plastic surgery procedures to address skin laxity and volume loss together.

At Dilworth Facial Plastic Surgery in Charlotte, North Carolina, dual board-certified, fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeons Dr. Andrea Garcia and Dr. Joshua Surowitz perform every procedure together, including more than 600 facial fat transfers. Patients benefit from the attention, expertise, and refined aesthetic eye of two surgeons.

Facial Fat Grafting
 Before & After Photos

1 of 9
BeforeAfter

This patient underwent a deep plane facelift and necklift, brow lift, upper and lower blepharoplasty, and facial fat grafting in a single surgical setting. In the before photo, the midface and jowls show notable laxity, the neck has visible soft tissue descent, the brow sits low across its length, and the upper eyelids carry excess skin that... Read More

View Case DetailsRequest My Consultation

Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.

BeforeAfter

This patient came to Dilworth Facial Plastic Surgery for a combination of procedures addressing several visible signs of facial aging. The work included a deep plane facelift and necklift, facial fat grafting, lower blepharoplasty, and CO2 laser resurfacing of the face.The before photos show jowling along the jawline, laxity in the nec... Read More

View Case DetailsRequest My Consultation

Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.

BeforeAfter

This patient underwent a comprehensive set of facial procedures: a deep plane facelift and necklift, brow lift, upper and lower blepharoplasty, and facial fat grafting.In the before photo, the lower face shows soft tissue descent along the jaw and neck, with heaviness in the jowl area. The brow sits at a lower position, and the upper e... Read More

View Case DetailsRequest My Consultation

Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.

BeforeAfter

In the before photos, this patient shows visible laxity along the lower face and neck, with softening of the jawline contour and skin that has descended along the jowl area. The upper eyelids appear heavy, with excess skin reducing the visible lid space, and there is hollowing in the midface. The combination of deep plane facelift and necklif... Read More

View Case DetailsRequest My Consultation

Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.

BeforeAfter

This patient underwent a combination of upper lip lift, facial fat grafting, and lower blepharoplasty. In the before photo, the upper lip appears elongated with limited vermillion show, and the midface has a deflated quality, with fine lines visible around the mouth. The area beneath the eyes shows mild laxity and shadowing.The after p... Read More

View Case DetailsRequest My Consultation

Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.

BeforeAfter

The before photos show notable laxity along the lower face and neck, with loose skin and muscle gathering beneath the chin, jowl formation, and loss of definition along the jawline. Volume appeared reduced through the midface. The nasal tip was droopy (ptotic) and lacked definition. In the after photos, the jawline is more defined, jowling ha... Read More

View Case DetailsRequest My Consultation

Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.

BeforeAfter

This patient underwent a combined surgical plan addressing the face, neck, brow, eyelids, and midface. The procedures performed were a deep plane facelift and necklift, deep central neck contouring, brow lift, upper and lower blepharoplasty, and facial fat grafting.The before photos show laxity along the lower face and jawline, with vi... Read More

View Case DetailsRequest My Consultation

Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.

BeforeAfter

This patient underwent a deep plane facelift and necklift, deep neck lift, facial fat grafting, upper lip lift, and lower blepharoplasty. In the before photos, the jawline shows softening, with visible laxity along the lower face and neck. The area beneath the eyes appears with noticeable fullness and shadow, and the upper lip shows a longer... Read More

View Case DetailsRequest My Consultation

Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.

What Is Facial Fat Transfer?

Facial fat transfer, also called fat grafting, is a plastic surgery procedure that adds volume to the face by injecting the patient’s own purified fat.

Where Can Facial Fat Transfer Help?

Fat grafting can restore volume and support in areas that commonly become hollow or flattened with age or significant weight loss, including the:

  • Temples
  • Midface and cheeks
  • Under the eyes (tear troughs)
  • Around the mouth
  • Pre-jowl area
  • Chin

Facial fat transfer can also benefit younger patients with naturally occurring or congenital facial volume loss. Dr. Garcia and Dr. Surowitz restore volume based on each patient’s facial anatomy and needs, rather than following a prescribed injection pattern.

How Is Facial Fat Transfer Performed?

Facial fat transfer can be performed while you are under local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia. Dr. Garcia and Dr. Surowitz begin by gently harvesting a small amount of fat from the abdomen, thighs, or flanks using liposuction. The fat is then purified and carefully injected with small cannulas into areas of the face where additional volume and support are needed.

Our surgeons use the Tulip® fat transfer system, with single-use harvesting and injection cannulas, which keeps the fat enclosed from collection through placement to minimize contamination and preserve viable fat cells.

Once the transferred fat has established a blood supply, the surviving fat integrates into the facial tissues, providing permanent volume restoration.

Meet Our Surgeons

Dilworth Facial Plastic Surgery combines the expertise of two dual board-certified, fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeons for unparalleled patient care. Dr. Andrea Garcia and Dr. Josh Surowitz offer a unique collaborative approach to facial plastic surgery, working as a compassionate and highly trained duo to bring out the very best in you.

Credentials You Can Trust

American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery logo, American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery logo, RealSelf Top Doctor badges, and TMC HIPAA Trained logo

What Are the Advantages of Facial Fat Transfer vs. Dermal Fillers?

While hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers, such as JUVÉDERM® and Restylane®, can be a good choice for many patients and concerns, Dr. Garcia and Dr. Surowitz prefer facial fat transfer for a variety of reasons, including:

  • Provides a soft, natural look
  • Lasts indefinitely once established, eliminating the need for maintenance treatments
  • Addresses “filler fatigue,” the puffy, heavy, or distorted look that can happen with fillers
  • Avoids the bluish Tyndall effect from HA filler placed too close to the surface of the skin
  • Does not migrate or cause fluid retention

Our unique two-surgeon collaborative approach delivers the highest-quality results, with a naturally refreshed appearance, while always avoiding the “overdone” or “over-inflated” look. During your consultation, our surgeons will determine whether fat transfer, dermal filler, or another option is best suited to the result you want to achieve.

How Is Fat Transfer Used With Facial Surgery?

Facial aging involves both tissue descent and volume loss, so addressing both changes can create a more complete and natural-looking rejuvenation. Fat grafting benefits the following procedures:

  • Deep plane facelift by restoring volume while repositioning tissues that have descended with age
  • Lower eyelid surgery by filling under the eye hollows (tear troughs) and restoring volume in the upper cheek

Facial fat transfer can also refresh or refine previous facelift results without requiring another full facelift.

“We approach fat grafting as replacing volume that’s been lost due to time, age, and environmental factors. In addition to lifting the structures that need lifting, there’s also volume restoration, and we use fat over the bone to enhance support for all of the tissues we’ve lifted.”

Dr. Joshua Surowitz

Why Choose Dilworth Facial Plastic Surgery for Facial Fat Transfer?

The many reasons patients choose Dr. Garcia and Dr. Surowitz for facial fat transfer include:

  • 600+ facelift and fat transfer procedures performed together: By working collaboratively, our surgeons have gained refined expertise across a wide range of patient cases.
  • Facial specialists: Both are dual board-certified in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.
  • Safe, effective fat transfer technology: Our surgeons use Tulip®, a closed, disposable fat transfer system that optimizes viable fat and minimizes contamination.
  • Individualized treatment: Fat is placed based on each patient’s anatomy and areas of volume loss to restore a naturally youthful appearance.

With this collaborative approach, both surgeons contribute their experience and unique perspective to creating natural-looking results tailored to each patient.

Get the latest news and specials

Request a Consultation

To find out how fat transfer can enhance your look, request a consultation with Dr. Garcia and Dr. Surowitz at Dilworth Facial Plastic Surgery in Charlotte, or call (980) 949-6544 to schedule an appointment.

A Reputation Built on Results

I'm just one week post-op from a face and brow lift with eyelid surgery at Dilworth Plastic Surgery,...
Could not be more pleased with the Doctors and staff. Excellent care.
Wonderful experience all-around! Abigail was especially great; she took the time to thoroughly explain...
I highly recommend Dilworth Facial Plastic Surgery. The entire staff is very professional and so friendly....
Contact