Ästhetik am Isartor
Editorial portrait — a calm face in soft daylight, gentle midface volume, neueform colour palette
TreatmentFacial surgery22

Lipofilling · your own tissue · cheeks · temples · chin

A natural rebuilding of volume in the midface with your own fat — filling the cheeks and temples, drawing the contours more softly, entirely without foreign substances.

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Treatment

What is Fat transfer in the face?

Fat transfer in the face — in technical terms autologous fat grafting or lipofilling — is a plastic surgery procedure in which the body's own fat is harvested from a donor area such as the abdomen, hip or thigh, processed and re-injected into the face in a targeted way. At the Ästhetik am Isartor practice in Munich we carry out the procedure under the medical direction of Dr. Fabian Weinschenk. With age the midface loses volume — the cheeks drop, the temples hollow out, the contour looks tired. Fat transfer rebuilds this volume with the body's own material: at the cheeks, the temples, the chin and, very selectively, at the tear trough. The procedure has three steps — gentle micro-liposuction at the donor site, processing by centrifugation, and micro-injection with fine cannulas into many small deposits. Because only the body's own tissue is used, foreign substances and the risk of allergy do not arise. Part of the transplanted fat is resorbed (typically 30–50%); the part that takes hold stays permanently. The final result stabilises after three to six months.

Suitability

Who is Fat transfer in the face suitable for?

With age the midface loses volume — the cheeks drop, the temples hollow out, the tear trough becomes more visible. While hyaluronic acid fillers are resorbed after 6–18 months, fat transfer rebuilds this volume with your own material: the part that takes hold is retained permanently — without a foreign substance, without a risk of allergy.

Editorial close-up — cheek and midface in soft side light, natural volume

Suitable for

Fat transfer in the face is suitable where there is an age-related loss of volume at the cheeks, temples and midface, where there is a wish for the body's own material instead of a synthetic filler, where there are larger volume indications that would require several appointments with hyaluronic acid, where there is at the same time a wish to contour the donor site (a double benefit — building up the cheeks and refining the hip in one session, for example), where there is sufficient donor fat at the abdomen, hip or thigh, and where there are realistic expectations — fat transfer delivers a natural, long-lasting result, but no tightening of lax skin. The requirements are stable general health and abstaining from nicotine during the phase of integration.

Not suitable for

Fat transfer in the face is not suitable in a very slim constitution without a sufficient donor area (a BMI below 19) — hyaluronic acid is often the better choice here; where there is very thin skin over bony structures such as the forehead, where micro-deposits can be felt; where there is advanced laxity of the skin that calls for a facelift using the SMAS technique (fat transfer complements a tightening procedure but does not replace it); where there are disorders of blood clotting or active anticoagulation that cannot be paused; where there are acute infections; in pregnancy and while breastfeeding; and where the wish is for a reversible result — hyaluronic acid is the right option for that, because it can be dissolved with hyaluronidase; fat transfer cannot.

Whether fat transfer, hyaluronic acid or a facelift makes more sense for your goal, we decide together in the personal initial consultation (€100).

Method

Three steps. One material, your own.

Lipofilling in the face follows the established Coleman technique — a combined procedure in three clearly separated steps: harvesting fat at a suitable donor site, gentle processing, and precise micro-injection into the midface.

We plan the initial volume with an overcorrection of 30–50%, because part of the transplanted fat is resorbed in the first weeks — the part that takes hold stays permanently. Where the volume goals are larger, a second session is possible after 3–6 months.

Charcoal-green linen in soft folds — a calm neueform texture
What takes hold once the graft has been accepted stays permanently — your own tissue, behaving like the rest of the body's fat. Hyaluronic acid, by contrast, is broken down and has to be refreshed.
Treatment philosophy · practice at the Isartor

Procedure

How the procedure works

Four steps, clearly separated — from the initial consultation with the choice of donor site, through the combined procedure (aspiration + processing + micro-injection), to aftercare.

  1. Dr. Fabian Weinschenk in a personal consultation at the Ästhetik am Isartor practice in Munich
    Schritt 01approx. 45 min.

    Consultation & planning

    In the personal initial consultation (€100) we clarify the volume deficit in the midface, assess the quality of the skin and choose a suitable donor site together. We discuss whether fat transfer, hyaluronic acid or a facelift best achieves your goal. The mandatory information under § 8 HWG (German Health Advertising Act) is handed over.

  2. A sterile preparation table with discreet surgical markings on a bone-cream cloth — the neueform palette
    Schritt 02

    Preparation on the day of the operation

    Marking of the donor site and of the target areas in the face with you standing upright. Disinfection of the skin, sterile draping. Anaesthesia as agreed — local anaesthetic, twilight sedation or general anaesthesia, depending on the volume and the number of areas.

  3. The sterile operating theatre of the Ästhetik am Isartor practice in Munich
    Schritt 0360–180 min.

    Aspiration · processing · injection

    Micro-liposuction of the quantity of donor fat through incisions of 2–3 mm. Sterile processing of the harvested fat in theatre. Re-injection of the purified micro-fat into many small deposits at the cheeks, temples and chin — with fine cannulas, distributed layer by layer, with a calculated overcorrection.

  4. A calm recovery scene at home — soft daylight, linen, a glass of water, the neueform palette
    Schritt 04

    After the procedure

    Swelling at the donor and the recipient area in the first 7–14 days — in the face deliberately 'fuller' at first. Social downtime of 1–2 weeks, visible bruising subsided after 10–14 days. Exercise resumed after 4 weeks.

Facts

Key facts

Procedure
Lipofilling (fat transfer, Coleman technique)
Material
the body's own fat (adipocytes)
Areas
Cheeks · temples · chin · tear trough
Donor sites
Abdomen · hip · thigh
Procedure time
60–180 min.
Anaesthesia
Local, twilight sedation or general anaesthesia
Stay
as a rule outpatient
Donor incisions
2–3 mm
Social downtime
1–2 weeks
Exercise
after 4 weeks
Swelling / haematoma
typically 7–14 days
Final result visible
after 3–6 months
Proportion resorbed
typically 30–50%
Longevity
long-term (the part that takes hold)
Consultation
€100 · required before every treatment

Recovery

Recovery & final result

  1. DAY

    0.

    Cool it. Rest.

    Swelling of the face and at the donor site directly after the procedure. Cool the midface in intervals over 24 hours. Someone to accompany you for 24 h makes sense if you were treated under twilight sedation or general anaesthesia. Mild oral pain relief is as a rule sufficient.

  2. DAY

    1–7.

    Swelling & haematomas.

    Swelling at the cheeks and temples is most pronounced in the first week — it is a wanted part of the healing process, and the volume looks 'fuller' at first than the final result. Haematomas on the face and at the donor site subside within 1–2 weeks. Compression at the donor site for 2–4 weeks.

  3. WEEK

    1–2.

    The social downtime ends.

    Visible bruising has subsided after 10–14 days — social recovery of 1–2 weeks. Light activity is possible again; continue to avoid the sauna, intense heat and exercise.

  4. WEEK

    4–8.

    Resorption.

    In the first weeks the body resorbs the proportion of fat that has not taken hold (typically 30–50%). The visible volume decreases accordingly — the remaining, integrated part builds up its permanent blood supply. Exercise resumed after 4 weeks.

  5. MONTH

    3–6.

    A stable final result.

    After 3–6 months the resorption is complete — the final result is visible and stable. Where the volume goals are larger, or where more volume is wanted, a second session is possible.

Endergebnis

Final result after 3–6 months — the proportion of fat that takes hold is retained in the long term.

The fat cells that have taken hold then behave like the rest of the body's fat: they change in volume with a marked gain or loss of weight, but they do not break down of their own accord. Unlike a hyaluronic acid filler, which has been resorbed after 6–18 months, the integrated fat stays permanently.

A still life — a small bone-cream cooling pad, an olive branch and a glass of mineral water on charcoal-green linen

The first days

Cool it. Take it easy. No pressure on the face.

Support the first 24 hours with a cooling pad, in intervals over 24 hours. No pressure and no massage on the treated areas, so that the transplanted fat can vascularise undisturbed. Sleeping with your head slightly raised reduces the swelling. Abstain from nicotine for 4 weeks — nicotine impairs the integration of the fat.

Consultation

100€

approx. 45 min · medical · mandatory before every treatment (§ 8 HWG)

Let us establish the indication together.

Which method suits your situation can only be established reliably in a personal examination and consultation.

What is included

  • Examination & establishing the indication
  • Choice of method, risks & alternatives
  • Written cost estimate afterwards
Book an initial consultation

Risks

Risks & informed consent

Lipofilling is an established procedure with an extensive body of data. Because the body's own fat is re-injected, the risk of allergy that a synthetic filler carries does not arise. All risks are documented in detail in the informed-consent consultation in accordance with § 8 HWG.

  1. General

    Swelling at the cheeks and temples — typical in the first 7–14 days, and can be cooled. Haematomas on the face and at the donor site — temporary, subsiding within 1–2 weeks. Tenderness to pressure at the incision and injection points — temporary, subsiding on its own.

  2. Specific

    Resorption of the transplanted fat (typically 30–50%) — part of the normal procedure, allowed for by the overcorrection. An asymmetrical result where the volume has been dosed conservatively — precisely fine-tuned in a follow-up session. A temporary disturbance of sensation in the treated area — typically subsiding within weeks.

  3. Very rare

    Palpable micro-deposits where the skin is very thin over bony structures — minimised by a careful choice of depth and area. Fat cysts or fat necrosis (palpable lumps) — rare; minimised by a small deposit size and careful technique. A disturbance of wound healing or an infection — very rare with proper asepsis.

All individual risks are documented in detail during the personal informed-consent consultation in accordance with § 8 HWG (German Health Advertising Act).

Costs

Costs at a glance

The cost of fat transfer in the face depends on the volume required, on the number of areas treated and on the extent of the anaesthesia. You receive a specific calculation in the personal initial consultation (€100).

Costs

On request

Costs are calculated individually in the personal initial consultation (€100), based on the indication, the chosen method and the inpatient effort involved.

All starting prices are net · plus 19% VAT · excluding clinic fees for anaesthesia and overnight stay. Individual cost estimate in the personal initial consultation (€100).

Questions

Frequently asked questions

  • What does fat transfer in the face cost in Munich?

    The cost depends on the volume required, on the number of areas treated (cheeks, temples, chin) and on the extent of the anaesthesia — you receive a specific calculation in the personal initial consultation (€100).

  • Fat transfer or hyaluronic acid in the face — which is better?

    It depends on the indication. Hyaluronic acid is the first choice for individual volume indications, very fine lines, in very slim patients and where a reversible result is wanted — hyaluronic acid can be dissolved with hyaluronidase, fat transfer cannot. Fat transfer is the first choice for larger volume indications, where the body's own material is wanted and where a permanent result is the goal. Where the graft is accepted well, fat transfer stays permanently; hyaluronic acid is resorbed after 6–18 months.

  • How much of the transferred fat is retained permanently?

    Typically 50–70% of the quantity of fat originally transplanted is retained permanently — the proportion that does not take hold (typically 30–50%) is resorbed in the first weeks. That is why we plan the initial volume with an overcorrection. The integrated proportion builds up a blood supply of its own and stays stable in the long term.

  • Do I need a second session?

    For purely facial indications one session is usually enough. In about 20–30% of cases a second session after 3–6 months makes sense in order to reach the target contour — particularly where the volume goals are larger. We discuss that individually.

  • When will I see the final result?

    After 3–6 months, once the resorption is complete. In the first weeks the calculated overcorrection and the post-operative swelling make the face look 'fuller' than the actual final result — we recommend not judging the result too early.

  • How long is the downtime?

    Social recovery of 1–2 weeks — visible bruising has subsided after 10–14 days. Swelling at the cheeks and temples is to be expected in the first 7–14 days. Exercise resumed after 4 weeks; compression at the donor site for 2–4 weeks.

  • Where does the donor fat come from?

    From a suitable place on the body with a moderate pad of fat — typically the abdomen, hip, inner thigh or thigh. The quantity harvested is small; at the donor site a discreet effect on the contour arises as a positive side benefit. The choice is made individually in the initial consultation.

  • What risks are there?

    Swelling, haematomas and tenderness to pressure in the first 1–2 weeks are typical and subside on their own. Specifically: resorption (allowed for by the overcorrection), an asymmetrical result (fine-tuned in a follow-up session), a temporary disturbance of sensation. Rarely: palpable micro-deposits where the skin is very thin, fat cysts or fat necrosis, disturbances of wound healing or infections. Because the body's own material is used, the risk of allergy that a synthetic filler carries does not arise.

  • Does fat transfer replace a facelift?

    No. Fat transfer builds up volume — where the laxity of the skin is advanced, a facelift using the SMAS technique is the procedure that actually tightens. Fat transfer can build up midface volume in addition, but it does not replace the tightening of lax structures. What makes sense for your goal, we clarify in the initial consultation.

  • Why don't you show before-and-after photographs on your website?

    For two reasons — one legal, one ethical. First, the German Heilmittelwerbegesetz (§ 11 HWG, the Health Advertising Act) prohibits advertising surgical plastic procedures with before-and-after photographs on publicly accessible websites — a rule in force since 2012 that protects patients from distorted promotional depictions. Second, we respect our patients' privacy: even where written consent exists, many would rather intimate photographs of their body did not circulate on the open web. What you can expect instead: in the personal initial consultation (€100) we show you anonymised examples from our own practice documentation — matched to your indication, your build and your aesthetic goal. Those images are shown with the written consent of the patients concerned, exclusively within the protected setting of the consultation, and are never published online. You get a realistic sense of what to expect without anyone having to give up their privacy for someone else's advertising.

  • What should I look for when choosing a doctor for aesthetic plastic surgery in Munich?

    Three objective criteria help you get your bearings. First, the specialist qualification: "Facharzt für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie" is a legally protected German specialist title requiring several years of specialist training — unlike general, unprotected descriptions such as "cosmetic surgeon". Second, membership of a medical professional society such as the DGPRÄC (the German Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons), which requires binding professional standards and continuous further training. Third, the quality of the consultation: a reputable practice takes its time, is honest about risks, alternatives and realistically achievable results, and does not push you towards a decision. At Ästhetik am Isartor the medical direction lies with Dr. Fabian Weinschenk, specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery (Facharzt) and a member of the DGPRÄC. Procedures are carried out personally by the specialist, and every treatment is preceded by a detailed medical informed-consent consultation (chargeable at €100).

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Dr. Fabian Weinschenk, specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery, at the Ästhetik am Isartor practice on Isartorplatz in Munich
munich · MMXXVI

Dr. Fabian Weinschenk
Specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery (Facharzt)