Facial Fat Transfer (FAMI) for Facial Volume Loss
Facial fat transfer, also known as FAMI, restores lost facial volume using your own fat for natural, long-lasting results. It is an ideal solution for patients experiencing facial hollowing from aging, weight loss, or GLP-1 medications who want an alternative to temporary fillers.
What Is Facial Fat Transfer (FAMI)?
Facial fat transfer, commonly referred to as FAMI (Fat Autologous Muscle Injection), is an advanced facial rejuvenation procedure that restores volume throughout the entire face using a patient’s own fat. Unlike traditional fat transfer techniques that focus only on isolated problem areas, FAMI distributes fat strategically across more than 40 injection points to recreate youthful facial structure and balance.
The procedure is performed while the patient is awake using local anesthesia and facial nerve blocks. Fat is gently harvested from another area of the body—often the knees, abdomen, or flanks—processed, and then carefully injected into the face and lips to restore natural contours. Because your own tissue is used, results look and feel natural once healing is complete.
Patients are asked to provide a photo of themselves from around age 21 so facial proportions and volume patterns can be accurately restored rather than overfilled.
Why Weight Loss and Aging Cause Facial Volume Loss
Facial aging is not just about wrinkles—it is largely caused by the gradual loss of fat in the face. Most people lose a significant amount of facial fat between the ages of 40 and 50, which leads to hollow cheeks, deep folds, temple wasting, and an overall gaunt appearance.
Rapid weight loss can accelerate this process. Patients who lose weight quickly—whether through dieting, surgery, or GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic—often notice their face appears older, thinner, or more sunken even as their body becomes leaner. This is commonly referred to as “Ozempic face.”
While dermal fillers can temporarily add volume to specific areas, they do not restore overall facial fat distribution. Facial fat transfer addresses volume loss globally, helping re-establish youthful proportions rather than treating isolated wrinkles.
Facial Fat Transfer vs Dermal Fillers
Many patients who consider facial fat transfer have already tried fillers and are looking for a more lasting solution.
Key differences include:
Longevity: Facial fat transfer provides permanent volume unless significant weight loss occurs, while fillers require ongoing maintenance.
Natural movement: Fat integrates into facial tissue and moves naturally with expression.
Whole-face restoration: FAMI restores volume across the entire face and lips, not just individual folds.
Long-term value: While fillers must be repeated, facial fat transfer is typically a one-time procedure.
For patients tired of repeat injections or artificial fullness, FAMI offers a more comprehensive and natural approach to facial rejuvenation.
How the FAMI Procedure Works
Facial fat transfer is performed as an outpatient procedure and typically takes a couple of hours to complete. After numbing the face with nerve blocks, fat is gently harvested from a donor area using a small cannula. The fat is then purified and injected into precise locations across the face and lips to restore youthful volume and contour.
Because a cannula is used, patients should expect visible bruising and swelling for approximately two weeks. Many patients choose to stay home during this period while healing occurs.
Recovery Timeline and What to Expect
Bruising and swelling: Approximately 2 weeks
Social downtime: Most patients prefer to remain at home during early recovery
Activity restrictions: None
Long-term results: Fat that survives becomes permanent unless significant weight loss occurs
Unlike fillers, facial fat transfer results continue to improve as swelling resolves and the transferred fat integrates into the face.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Facial Fat Transfer
Facial fat transfer is ideal for patients who:
Are typically 40 years or older
Have experienced facial hollowing from aging or weight loss
Notice “Ozempic face” or gaunt facial features
Want to reduce deep wrinkles naturally
Do not want ongoing dermal filler injections
Desire full-face and lip volume restoration rather than spot treatment
The procedure can be safely performed on patients under 40, but younger patients may require additional treatments later in life as natural facial fat loss continues.
Real Patient Experience with Facial Fat Transfer
Cost Considerations and Long-Term Value
Facial fat transfer is often viewed as an investment rather than a recurring cosmetic expense. While dermal fillers require ongoing maintenance every few months or years, facial fat transfer is designed to provide long-lasting volume using your own tissue.
Many patients who choose FAMI do so after years of repeated filler treatments and are looking for a more permanent solution. When comparing the cumulative cost of fillers over time, facial fat transfer can offer greater long-term value while restoring the face more naturally and comprehensively.
During your consultation, we review goals, anatomy, and prior filler history to determine whether facial fat transfer is the most appropriate option.
Why Choose Innovations Medical for Facial Fat Transfer
Facial fat transfer requires experience, precision, and an artistic understanding of facial anatomy. At Innovations Medical, FAMI is performed using advanced techniques designed to restore balanced, youthful facial volume rather than isolated fullness.
Patients choose our practice because:
The procedure is performed awake under local anesthesia, avoiding general anesthesia
Fat is injected strategically across the entire face and lips, not just problem areas
We focus on natural facial proportions, not overfilled results
Dr. Bill Johnson has extensive experience with fat transfer techniques and facial contouring
Patients receive personalized care from consultation through recovery
Our approach emphasizes safety, natural outcomes, and long-term satisfaction.
Frequently Asked Questions About Facial Fat Transfer
Is facial fat transfer permanent?
Facial fat transfer results are considered permanent unless significant weight loss occurs. Fat that successfully integrates into the face remains long-term.
How is FAMI different from traditional fat transfer?
FAMI distributes fat across more than 40 areas of the face to restore overall structure, rather than injecting fat only into isolated wrinkles or folds.
Will I still look like myself?
Yes. The goal of facial fat transfer is to restore youthful facial proportions using your own tissue, not to change your identity or create an artificial appearance.
How long is the recovery?
Most patients experience visible bruising and swelling for about two weeks. There are no activity restrictions, but many patients choose to stay home during early healing.
Is facial fat transfer better than fillers?
For patients seeking long-lasting, full-face volume restoration and who no longer want repeat injections, facial fat transfer can be a better option than fillers.
Schedule a Facial Fat Transfer Consultation
If you are experiencing facial volume loss from aging, weight loss, or Ozempic-related changes and are looking for a long-term alternative to fillers, a facial fat transfer consultation can help determine whether FAMI is right for you.