Treatment face
Fat Transfer to Face in Bristol
- Restore volume loss
- More balanced, and rejuvenated facial contour
- Naturally refreshed appearance
- A natural look and feel
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If you’re looking to restore facial volume, soften hollow areas, or rejuvenate age-related changes in the face, fat transfer to the face may be an ideal option. This procedure uses your own purified fat to enhance facial contour, improve skin quality, and create a smoother, more youthful, and naturally refreshed appearance.
At Paul Wilson Aesthetics, our procedures are performed by a bespoke team of highly skilled accredited professionals who will support you at every stage, from initial consultation through to surgery and recovery.
About
What is facial fat grafting?
Facial fat grafting is a procedure that uses your own purified fat (known as autologous fat) to restore volume to areas of the face that have become hollow or deflated over time.
Using micro-fat or nano-fat techniques, fat is gently harvested from a donor area such as the abdomen or thighs, processed, and then carefully injected into areas like the temples, cheeks, tear troughs (under-eye hollows), and lips.
Facial fat grafting is often performed alongside a deep plane facelift, as the two procedures address the main signs of facial ageing:
Descent (sagging) – corrected with the deep plane facelift
Deflation (volume loss) – restored with facial fat grafting
When performed together, these treatments rejuvenate the face comprehensively, creating a smoother, fuller, and more youthful overall contour.
benefits
What are the benefits of a fat transfer to the face?
Facial fat grafting offers several benefits, including:
- Restored facial volume
- Improved facial symmetry and definition
- A natural look and feel
- A more youthful appearance
- SImultaneous contouring of the donor area
candidates
Who is a good candidate for facial fat grafting?
Facial fat grafting is suitable for individuals who have experienced volume loss in areas such as the cheeks, temples, under-eyes, jawline, or lips. It is also ideal for those looking for a more natural alternative to dermal fillers, using their own fat to restore softness, contour, and balance.
Good candidates should be in overall good health, be non-smokers (or willing to stop before and after surgery), and have realistic expectations about the achievable results.
What to expect
What to expect during a fat transfer to the face?
Consultation
During your consultation, your surgeon will conduct a thorough assessment of your facial anatomy, identifying the specific areas where volume has been lost. They will review your medical history, discuss your aesthetic goals, and explain how facial fat grafting can restore volume, enhance contour, and improve overall skin quality.
Your surgeon will also outline what to expect during recovery and will provide personalised advice on how to prepare for the procedure. Photographs may be taken to assist with planning, helping the surgeon determine the precise placement of the grafted fat to achieve the most natural and balanced result.
This appointment is your opportunity to ask questions, explore your treatment options, and feel fully informed and confident before deciding to proceed.
Anaesthesia and Procedure Time
Facial fat grafting is performed under general anaesthesia. When carried out on its own, the procedure typically takes around one to two hours, depending on the number and size of the donor areas and the amount of fat required.
When fat grafting is combined with a deep plane facelift, the overall procedure time is usually four to six hours as both the deep structural lifting of the face and the precise placement of grafted fat are completed in the same operation.
Your surgeon will confirm the expected duration of your procedure during your consultation, based on your treatment plan and whether additional facial rejuvenation techniques are being combined.
Surgery
Optional: deep plane facelift
If a deep plane facelift is performed at the same time, incisions are placed discreetly along the hairline, around the ear, and sometimes behind the ear.
During the procedure, the surgeon works beneath the deeper layers of the face, gently releasing the ligaments that cause sagging. By lifting the skin and the underlying muscle layer together, the tissues are repositioned in a natural, upward direction. This approach provides a more effective lift to the cheeks, jowls, and neck while avoiding the “pulled” or overly tight look.
Fat harvesting
A small amount of fat is gently harvested from a donor area using fine cannulas and low-pressure liposuction techniques. This approach preserves the viability of the fat cells for optimal graft survival.
Fat processing and injection
The harvested fat is carefully purified to remove excess fluid, damaged cells, and impurities. The refined fat is then injected into targeted areas such as temples and cheeks using micro- or nano-cannulas.
Closure
Once the grafting (and any facelift steps) are completed, the facial tissues are re-draped without tension. Fine sutures are used to close the incisions and drains may be placed temporarily to reduce fluid build-up.
Light compression dressings, or in some cases, a haemostatic net, are applied to reduce swelling and minimise the risk of haematoma.
Recovery
Recovery and results of facial fat grafting
Recovery varies from person to person and depends on whether facial fat grafting is performed on its own or combined with a deep plane facelift.
What to expect
Bruising and swelling typically peak within the first few days and gradually settle over two to three weeks. The treated areas may look fuller than expected at first due to both swelling and the newly grafted fat. This fullness reduces over time as the tissues settle.
Activity and movement
Light walking is encouraged soon after the procedure to promote circulation, but strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and activities that significantly raise your heart rate should be avoided for at least two weeks.
Follow-up care and long-term results
The final shape continues to refine over several months as some of the transferred fat is naturally reabsorbed and the remaining fat integrates with its new blood supply. Once fully settled, the results are long-lasting, particularly with a stable weight and healthy lifestyle.
Combination
If combined with a deep plane facelift
When facial fat grafting is performed alongside a deep plane facelift, recovery takes more time because both the deeper facial structures and superficial tissues are healing at the same time. Most patients will stay in hospital for one to two nights for close monitoring and pain control.
Swelling and bruising are more pronounced than with fat grafting alone and typically peak within the first 72 hours. A supportive dressing is applied for the first night, followed by a lighter compression garment. A feeling of tightness, heaviness, or temporary numbness is common due to the deeper plane of dissection used in the facelift.
Risks & complications
Risks and potential complications of facial fat grafting
As with any surgical procedure, facial fat grafting carries certain risks. These may include:
- Infection or bleeding
- Seroma (fluid build-up)
- Delayed wound healing
- Contour irregularities or asymmetry
- Changes in skin sensation, including numbness
- Overfilling and underfilling
Your surgeon will discuss all potential risks with you during your consultation to ensure you are fully informed before making any decisions.
The cost of facial fat grafting depends on several factors, including the areas being treated, the amount of fat required, and the complexity of the procedure.
If fat grafting is performed alongside a deep plane facelift, the overall cost will be higher due to the increased surgical time, however, many patients reap the synergistic benefits of combining the two rejuvenation methods.
Surgeon
Meet Mr Paul Wilson
Mr Paul Wilson is a Consultant Plastic Surgeon with more than 35 years of surgical experience and over 16 years as a Consultant Plastic Surgeon. He specialises in facial, breast and body aesthetic surgery, with a particular interest in rhinoplasty, facial rejuvenation and complex revision surgery.
In both his NHS and private practice, Mr Wilson is known for his patient-focused approach, careful surgical planning, and commitment to achieving balanced, natural-looking results tailored to each individual.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the combination of a deep plane facelift and fat grafting safe?
When performed by a highly experienced plastic surgeon, combining a deep plane facelift with facial fat grafting is considered safe. The risks are similar to those of any major facial procedure and may include haematoma (a collection of blood) or infection. As the combined approach is technically complex, choosing a surgeon who specialises in deep plane techniques and facial fat grafting is essential.
How does fat transfer to the face last?
The results of facial fat grafting are long-lasting. While some of the transferred fat is naturally reabsorbed by the body during the first few months, the fat that survives and establishes a blood supply becomes permanent.
Is facial fat grafting effective for the under-eye area?
Yes. Fat grafting can be very effective for treating under-eye hollows, tear troughs, and a tired or sunken appearance. The micro-fat technique allows fat to be placed delicately in thin, fragile areas. Swelling can take longer to settle here, but once healed, the results are smooth, natural, and long-lasting.
Schedule your consultation
Book a consultation with Paul Wilson Aesthetics
Patients choose Paul Wilson Aesthetics not only for the team’s surgical expertise, but also for their thoughtful, honest and patient-centred approach to aesthetic care.
To get started, book a free consultation where our team will discuss your concerns, outline your goals, and determine if a fat transfer to the face is the right option for you.
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An abdominoplasty is about more than removing excess skin.
Where rectus diastasis is present, the abdominal wall can be tightened by bringing the separated tissues back towards the midline. This creates a firmer internal foundation and can help improve the shape and support of the abdomen.
The procedure may also include removing excess skin and fat, reshaping the abdominal contour and repositioning the belly button where appropriate.
Every abdominoplasty is planned around the patient’s individual anatomy, concerns and goals. Not every patient will require the same elements of surgery.
Images shared with patient consent. Individual suitability, recovery and results vary. A consultation is required to discuss the most appropriate treatment for you.
📍 Northwood Hospital, Bristol
📍 The London Welbeck Hospital
☎️ Office: 0117 332 1585
📱 Call or WhatsApp: 07414 163133
✉️ info@paulwilsonaesthetics.co.uk
#Abdominoplasty #TummyTuck #RectusDiastasis #paulwilsonaesthetics
“Can surgery make me look like my filter?”
It’s a question that comes up more often than you might think.
Bringing a filtered or AI edited image to a consultation can be helpful because it shows me what you are drawn to. The difficulty is that these images often change several things at once, including the eyes, nose, brows, jawline and skin. They do not take account of real anatomy or how the face moves.
Surgery works with living tissue, so a filtered image cannot be treated as an exact blueprint. It can, however, be a useful starting point for an honest conversation about what you would like to change and what may be achieved safely and naturally.
The aim should be a result that still looks like you.
📍 Northwood Hospital, Bristol
📍 The London Welbeck Hospital
☎️ Office: 0117 332 1585
📱 Call or WhatsApp: 07414 163133
✉️ info@paulwilsonaesthetics.co.uk
#plasticsurgery #AestheticSurgery #PatientEducation #paulwilsonaesthetics
A patient journey following VASER liposuction to the neck.
These photographs show the progression from careful pre-operative planning and marking, through the early post-operative stage, to three weeks after surgery.
VASER liposuction uses ultrasound-assisted technology to target and remove localised areas of fat with precision. This can make it a suitable option for carefully selected patients seeking greater definition beneath the chin and along the neck and jawline.
At three weeks, healing is still at an early stage and some swelling may remain. The result will continue to settle and refine over the coming weeks and months. Our patient is already very pleased with her progress and the outcome so far.
Thank you to our lovely patient for kindly allowing us to share her journey.
Individual suitability, recovery and results vary. A consultation is required to discuss the most appropriate treatment for you.
📍 Northwood Hospital, Bristol
📍 The London Welbeck Hospital
☎️ Office: 0117 332 1585
📱 Call or WhatsApp: 07414 163133
✉️ info@paulwilsonaesthetics.co.uk
#VASERLiposuction #NeckLiposuction #liposuction #PatientJourney #PaulWilsonAesthetics
A heartfelt patient review, shared in her own words. ✨
At just three days post-op, our patient describes the early changes she could already see, how emotional the experience felt and the care she received at Northwood Hospital.❤️🏥
Swipe to read her full review.
Recovery and results are individual, and this patient is still at a very early stage with swelling yet to settle.
Shared with our patient’s kind permission.
📍 Northwood Hospital, Bristol
📍 The London Welbeck Hospital
☎️ Office: 0117 332 1585
📱 Call or WhatsApp: 07414 163133
✉️ info@paulwilsonaesthetics.co.uk
#PatientReview #Northwood_hospital #PaulWilsonAesthetics #Vaser
Three years on from breast reduction surgery ✨
Our patient has kindly allowed us to share her journey and these photographs, showing how she feels today following her procedure. It is wonderful to see her looking so happy and confident.
Breast reduction surgery can help alleviate the physical discomfort associated with disproportionately large breasts, while creating a shape that feels more comfortable and in proportion.
Thank you to our patient for allowing us to share her experience.
Every patient and outcome is individual. A full consultation is required to discuss suitability, potential risks and expected results.
Shared with our patient’s kind permission.
📍 Northwood Hospital, Bristol
📍 The London Welbeck Hospital
☎️ Office: 0117 332 1585
📱 Call or WhatsApp: 07414 163133
✉️ info@paulwilsonaesthetics.co.uk
#BreastReduction #breastsurgery #patientjourney #paulwilsonaesthetics
A very enjoyable day at the joint BAAPS & ESAPS 2026 Meeting in London! 🇬🇧
These meetings are always a valuable opportunity to learn, exchange ideas and catch up with colleagues and industry partners.
It was good to spend time with the teams from VASER, MACOM and Silimed, as well as catching up with a fellow consultant friend from Truro, Cornwall.
Looking forward to the rest of the scientific programme over the next couple of days! 🩺✨
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeons #paulwilsonaesthetics
We do not always have the opportunity to capture the first time a patient sees the result of their surgery, but when we do, it can be incredibly special.
This patient underwent forehead reduction surgery, and this was the moment she saw her new hairline for the first time. The happiness in her reaction says everything.
Moments like this remind us that surgery can mean far more to a patient than the physical change alone.
This was an early postoperative reveal and the patients healing continued for her over the following months.
Shared with our patient’s kind permission.
📍 Northwood Hospital, Bristol
📍 The London Welbeck Hospital
☎️ Office: 0117 332 1585
📱 Call or WhatsApp: 07414 163133
✉️ info@paulwilsonaesthetics.co.uk
#hairlinelowering #foreheadreduction
#patientjourney
#paulwilsonaesthetics
Not every question is easy to ask.
Some can feel personal, awkward or even a little embarrassing, but they are often the questions that matter most.
A few honest answers to things patients sometimes hesitate to say out loud.
There is no such thing as the wrong question in a consultation. It is important to understand what surgery involves, what recovery may really be like and how it could affect your everyday life.
Clear, straightforward answers allow patients to consider their options properly and make decisions in their own time.
If you are considering surgery but are not yet ready for an in-person appointment, we also offer introductory virtual consultations. This can be a helpful first step and an opportunity to talk through your initial questions.
📍 Northwood Hospital, Bristol
📍 The London Welbeck Hospital
☎️ Office: 0117 332 1585
📱 Call or WhatsApp: 07414 163133
✉️ info@paulwilsonaesthetics.co.uk
#patienteducation #plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #paulwilsonaesthetics
One result, seen from different angles.
With septo-rhinoplasty, it is important to consider how the nose sits within the whole face, not only how it looks from the side.
In this case, surgery addressed the dorsal hump and tip projection while maintaining a result that remained in keeping with the patient’s natural features.
The profile shows the change most clearly, while the oblique views demonstrate how the new shape complements this lovely patient’s natural features.
Swipe to see the result from each angle.
Photos used with patients kind consent.
📍 Northwood Hospital, Bristol
📍 The London Welbeck Hospital
☎️ Office: 0117 332 1585
📱 Call or WhatsApp: 07414 163133
✉️ info@paulwilsonaesthetics.co.uk
#rhinoplasty #septorhinoplasty #septoplasty #paulwilsonaesthetics
Weight loss affects every body differently.
For some people, the biggest change is around the face and neck. For others, it may be the upper arms, breasts, abdomen or thighs. Sometimes it is one area; sometimes several.
Surgery after significant weight loss is never one-size-fits-all. Depending on your anatomy and concerns, options may include a facelift and neck lift, brachioplasty, thigh lift, abdominoplasty or breast surgery. VASER may also be considered for targeted body contouring where appropriate.
The aim is to address the changes that weight loss can leave behind and create a treatment plan that feels right for you.
Swipe through to explore some of the areas that can be affected.
All photos used with patients kind consent.
📍 Northwood Hospital, Bristol
📍 The London Welbeck Hospital
☎️ Office: 0117 332 1585
📱 Call or WhatsApp: 07414 163133
✉️ info@paulwilsonaesthetics.co.uk
#surgeryafterweightloss #weightlosssuccess #glp1 #weightlosssurgery #paulwilsonaesthetics
This lovely 30-year-old patient came to see me hoping to move from an AA cup towards natural B/C cup proportions.
Her priority was to add shape and volume while keeping the result balanced with her slim frame.
We used Vectra 3D imaging during the planning process and selected 295cc high-profile Silimed True Texture Natural-Biodiesign implants.
The photographs show her before surgery and at 12 months, once the implants had settled and the result had matured.
Implant selection is about much more than volume alone. Chest width, existing breast tissue, body proportions and the patient’s preferred look all need to be considered carefully.
Every patient and every result is different. A consultation is needed to discuss what may be suitable for you.
Photos used with patients kind consent.
📍 Northwood Hospital, Bristol
📍 The London Welbeck Hospital
☎️ Office: 0117 332 1585
📱 Call or WhatsApp: 07414 163133
✉️ info@paulwilsonaesthetics.co.uk
#BreastAugmentation #BreastImplants #PaulWilsonAesthetics
Thinking about breast augmentation? Your consultation with Mr Paul Wilson is the first step.
Mr Wilson will talk you through your goals, expectations and the options available to you. Every patient’s breast anatomy is different, so the choice of implant needs to be tailored to your individual shape, proportions and desired result. You will have the opportunity to discuss different implant types, sizes and profiles, as well as what to expect from surgery and recovery.
Vectra 3D imaging will also be used during your consultation to help visualise how different implant sizes and shapes may look on your individual frame. It’s a useful tool for discussing your options and ensuring your treatment plan is tailored to your anatomy and goals.
It’s also a chance to ask questions, understand your options and feel fully informed before making any decision—there’s no pressure to decide on the day.
To book a consultation, please contact us using the details below:
📍 Northwood Hospital, Bristol
📍 The London Welbeck Hospital
☎️ Office: 0117 332 1585
📱 Call or WhatsApp: 07414 163133
✉️ info@paulwilsonaesthetics.co.uk
#breastaugmentation #paulwilsonaesthetics #northwoodhospital #londonwelbeckhospital
