Deep Plane Facelift With Fat Transfer
Quick Answer
What is fat transfer and why is it combined with a deep plane facelift?
Fat transfer (fat grafting) involves harvesting fat from the patient's own body — typically the abdomen or thighs — purifying it, and injecting it into areas of facial volume loss. When combined with a deep plane facelift, it addresses both structural sagging (corrected by the lift) and volume deflation (restored by fat grafting), producing a more comprehensive rejuvenation than either procedure alone.
Source: DeepPlane.com
The Importance of This Topic
A deep plane facelift with fat transfer simultaneously lifts sagging facial tissues and restores lost volume, typically adding $3,000 to $7,000 to the total cost. This dual-action procedure uses your own fat to revolumize areas like cheeks and temples, with 60-70% of the fat surviving permanently. See how this integrated technique achieves a more complete and harmonious facial rejuvenation.
- •Fat grafting restores volume in temples, cheeks, and under-eyes
- •Harvested fat is processed and injected during the same surgery
- •Approximately 60-70% of transferred fat survives permanently
Deep plane facelift with fat transfer combines structural facial lifting with autologous fat grafting to simultaneously address tissue descent and volume loss. Fat is harvested from the abdomen or thighs, purified, and injected into the temples, cheek area, nasolabial folds, and lips. This combination approach produces more complete facial rejuvenation than either procedure alone, with fat survival rates of 60-80% for permanent volume restoration.
Everything you need to know about deep plane facelift with fat transfer. Expert guide with recovery timeline, costs, and candidacy information.
Deep Plane Facelift With Fat Transfer: A deep plane facelift with fat transfer (also called structural fat grafting) combines the deep plane lift with autologous fat injection to restore lost facial volume. Fat is harvested from the abdomen or thighs via liposuction, processed, and strategically injected into areas of volume depletion such as the temples, cheeks, nasolabial folds, and periorbital region. This combination addresses both tissue descent and volume loss, producing a more complete and youthful facial rejuvenation.
— DeepPlane.com Expert Panel
Deep Plane Facelift with Fat Transfer: Quick Facts
- Combined Procedure
- Volume + lifting
- Fat Source
- Abdomen or thighs
- Additional Time
- +1 hour
- Results
- Natural volume restoration
- Longevity
- Fat lasts years
- Ideal For
- Volume loss + sagging
Source: Peer-Reviewed Medical Literature
Fat Transfer Process: Step by Step
Harvest
Fat is gently liposuctioned from abdomen, thighs, or flanks using a small cannula
Process
Harvested fat is purified via centrifuge or filtration to isolate healthy fat cells
Inject
Micro-droplets of purified fat are precisely injected into cheeks, temples, and under-eyes
Integrate
Fat cells establish blood supply over 2-4 weeks; 60-80% of transferred fat survives permanently
Recovery Timeline: Deep Plane with Fat Transfer
Combining deep plane facelift with fat transfer adds a donor site recovery component and slightly more facial swelling, but the volumetric enhancement significantly improves overall rejuvenation. The combined approach delivers especially natural-looking results because restored volume complements the repositioned facial structures, and the underlying SMAS repositioning provides the structural foundation that filler alone cannot achieve.
Combined Procedure Recovery
- Days 1-3: More pronounced facial swelling than standard deep plane due to fat injection. Donor site (usually abdomen or thighs) will have bruising and soreness.
- Week 1: Facial sutures removed days 5-7. Fat graft areas appear overfilled intentionally (30-40% of transferred fat is reabsorbed). Donor site bruising fading.
- Weeks 2-4: Facial swelling gradually resolving. Fat graft volume stabilizing. Donor site fully healed. Most patients return to work by week 2-3.
- Month 1-3: Fat graft integration complete. Approximately 60-70% of transferred fat survives permanently. Facial contour becoming refined and natural.
- Month 3-6: Final results visible. The combination of structural lifting and volume restoration creates a more youthful, three-dimensional result than either procedure alone.
Top Questions
Medical References
- [1]Hamra ST. The deep-plane rhytidectomy. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1990;86(1):53-61(Journal Article)Accessed: 2026-03-21
- [2]Barrera A. Refinements in the deep-plane facelift technique. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2000;105(1):290-301(Journal Article)Accessed: 2026-03-21
- [3]
Key Facts
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Medically Reviewed
Dr. Yakup Duman
Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery Specialist
Board-certified Plastic & Aesthetic Surgery specialist with 20+ years of experience. Specializes in deep plane facelift at Merkez Prime Hospital, Istanbul. Medical Reviewer for DeepPlane.com.
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