Facial fat grafting in Vancouver, WA
Fat grafting moves a small amount of your own fat to areas of the face that have lost volume, such as the temples, cheeks, lips and the hollows under the eyes. Dr. Ersilia Anghel performs it on its own or with a facelift, eyelid surgery or lip lift.
- Procedure types
- Full face, under the eyes, cheeks, temples, lips
- Incisions
- Tiny openings, a few millimeters long
- Social downtime
- 10 to 14 days
- Final result
- Seen at 3 to 6 months; what remains at 1 year lasts
What fat grafting does
With age, and often after weight loss or GLP‑1 medications, the face loses fat in the temples, cheeks, under the eyes, around the mouth and along the jaw. The result can look hollow or tired in a way that lifting the skin alone does not fix.
Fat grafting takes fat from the abdomen, thighs or flanks through tiny openings, purifies it and places it in small amounts where volume is missing. Because it is your own tissue, it moves naturally with your face.
What it improves
- Hollow temples
- Flat or deflated cheeks
- Hollows under the eyes (tear troughs)
- Thin lips and lines around the mouth
Who it suits
- Healthy adults with facial volume loss
- Patients after weight loss or GLP‑1 medications
- Patients with a stable weight and enough fat to take
- Nicotine-free 4 weeks before and after surgery
Fat grafting results
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Real patients. Results vary. A consultation is required.
Where fat grafting is used
Full-face fat grafting
For volume loss across several areas.
Restores the temples, midface, cheeks, under-eye hollows and jawline in one session. Most often done with a deep plane facelift.
Under-eye fat grafting
For hollows under the eyes.
Fat is layered beneath the lower eyelid to smooth the junction between lid and cheek. Almost always combined with lower blepharoplasty.
Cheek and midface
For flat or deflated cheeks.
Restores the fullness of the cheeks and softens the folds beside the nose and mouth.
Temples
For hollowing at the sides of the forehead.
Restores a smooth contour to the upper face and blends with brow lift and facelift results.
Lips and around the mouth
For lasting lip volume without filler.
Fat is placed in the upper and lower lip and along the ridges above the upper lip for soft, proportionate fullness.
What recovery looks like
Swelling is more noticeable than after filler. Bruising where the fat was taken fades in 1 to 2 weeks. Most patients manage discomfort with over-the-counter medicine. Sleep with your head raised early on, and avoid strenuous activity for 4 weeks; gentle walking is encouraged.
- Day 2 to 3Swelling peaks.
- 1 to 2 weeksBruising fades, including where the fat was taken.
- 10 to 14 daysMost patients return to work and social plans.
- 4 weeksReturn to strenuous exercise.
- 3 to 6 monthsThe fat has settled and the result shows.
- 1 yearThe fat that remains is long-lasting.
In their words
“I saw Dr. Anghel for a deep plane face and neck lift, CO2 lasering and fat grafting. It isn’t often you can find a doctor who has a great bedside manner, truly loves their work and is skilled at their craft. I never had a doubt that I would have great results. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome and I’m so glad that I was able to find Dr. Anghel.”
“What truly set Dr. Anghel apart and gave me the confidence to move forward was her background in Art History. Understanding the principles of human symmetry and proportions, in addition to scientific structure, made perfect sense for facial work. My experience was not merely "life-changing"—it was life-restoring. I now look refreshed, alert, and genuinely…”
Read full review
“What truly set Dr. Anghel apart and gave me the confidence to move forward was her background in Art History. Understanding the principles of human symmetry and proportions, in addition to scientific structure, made perfect sense for facial work. My experience was not merely "life-changing"—it was life-restoring. I now look refreshed, alert, and genuinely joyful. If you are seeking a procedure for a significant and positive impact, I wholeheartedly recommend consulting with Dr. Anghel.”
46 five-star Google reviews across all procedures · Read them on Google
Fat grafting cost in Vancouver and Portland
Your exact price depends on your plan, which is set at your consultation.
Every price includes
- Surgeon fee
- Facility fee
- Anesthesia fee
When fat grafting is added to a facelift or eyelid surgery, it is priced as part of the plan.
See all pricesPatient financing
Pay over time with Cherry or PatientFi, two patient financing services. Each lender sets its own approval and terms. Ask about financing at your consultation.
Fat grafting questions
Who is a good candidate?
Healthy adults with hollowing in the temples, cheeks, under the eyes or around the mouth, including after weight loss or GLP‑1 medications, who have enough fat to take from the abdomen, thighs or flanks. Your weight should be stable before surgery, because grafted fat changes size with your weight. Patients must be nicotine-free 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after surgery.
How long does fat grafting last?
Some of the transferred fat is absorbed in the first months, and Dr. Anghel plans for this. The fat that remains at one year is living tissue and is long-lasting, though it changes as you age and if your weight changes.
What is recovery like?
Most patients return to work or social plans in 10 to 14 days. Swelling is more noticeable than after filler. Bruising where the fat was taken fades in 1 to 2 weeks. Sleep with your head raised early on, and avoid strenuous exercise for 4 weeks.
Where are the scars?
Tiny openings where the fat is taken (usually the abdomen or thighs) and where it is placed in the face. They are a few millimeters long and usually fade well.
What procedures can I combine with fat grafting?
Deep plane facelift and neck lift, lower eyelid surgery, lip lift and CO2 laser resurfacing. Fat grafting can also be done on its own.
What are the risks?
Bleeding, infection, swelling, lumps or uneven areas, more fat absorbed than expected, and the need for another session. Rarely, fat can block a blood vessel. Dr. Anghel reviews each of these with you at your consultation.
Procedures to pair with fat grafting
Facelift & neck lift
Lifts the face while fat restores volume
Eyelid & brow surgery
Lower eyelid surgery for under-eye bags
Lip lift
Shortens the upper lip
CO2 laser resurfacing
Improves skin texture
Reviewed by Dr. Ersilia Anghel, MD
Double board-certified in Plastic Surgery and Facial Plastic Surgery · Fellowship-trained · Vancouver, WA
Updated October 2026 · About Dr. Anghel