As a part of the aging process, tissue is gradually lost from the face’s underlying fat layer. This results in hollow areas and wrinkles. With facial fat grafting, Dr. Cory Bovenzi can restore volume, bringing back youthful contours.
Dr. Bovenzi performs facial fat grafting at our Denver facility. We’re not far from City Park, Lula Rose General Store, Queen City Collective Coffee, and the Holly Park Pool and Tennis Center. Out-of-town patients usually fly into Centennial Airport.
Facial fat transfers take an hour or less to perform. First, twilight anesthesia is administered. Dr. Bovenzi makes a pinpoint incision in the belly button and carefully removes fat from the lower abdomen. The fat is purified and injected into the treatment regions.
Typical treatment areas include the forehead, temples, cheeks, chin, jawline, and around the mouth.1 The lips and the area beneath the eyes are also commonly treated.2 Dr. Bovenzi frequently performs facial fat grafting with lower blepharoplasty to smooth away tear troughs. It’s also a common addition to facelifts3 lower face and neck lifts, and CO2 laser resurfacing.
Indications: Facial Volume Loss
Anesthesia: Twilight
Surgery Type: Outpatient
Surgery time: 1 hour (often less)
Downtime: 1.5-2 weeks
Removal of Stitches: N/A – absorbable stitch dissolves in 1 week
Technique: Harvest of fat from the lower abdomen via a <1cm incision in the belly button, purification of fat and injection into areas requiring facial volumization.
Complementary Procedures: Lower Face and Neck Lift, CO2 Laser Resurfacing
Facial fat transfer isn’t just about plumping up specific areas—it’s about harmonious rejuvenation of your overall facial appearance. If you’re considering a facial fat transfer, you should be ready to discuss your medical background, lifestyle habits, and facial plastic surgery objectives with Dr. Cory Bonvenzi. Candidates typically desire subtle facial rejuvenation that addresses volume loss in areas such as the cheeks, under-eye region, or jawline. A key indicator of candidacy is the presence of adequate donor fat on another part of your body, such as your abdomen or thighs. Because the procedure uses your own fat cells, it reduces the risk of allergic reactions often associated with synthetic fillers.
A facial fat transfer may be especially suitable if you’re concerned with both volume loss and the possibility of introducing foreign substances into your face. By using your own fat cells, a facial fat transfer can offer a more natural look and feel. Dr. Bonvenzi will tailor the procedure to your features, helping ensure you achieve balanced, long-lasting results. Our office is not far from popular attractions like the Denver Zoo, the Denver Art Museum, and Meow Wolf Denver.
Denver patients searching for the perfect option for their facial fat transfer won’t find a better surgeon than Dr. Cory Bovenzi. Dr. Bovenzi has performed more than 5,000 facial procedures and has a wealth of knowledge on the subject of facial plastic surgery.
He is a member of several medical associations, including the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Medical Association. He has privileges at Porter Adventist Hospital in Denver and at Littleton Adventist Hospital.
Dr. Bovenzi’s office-based surgical suite features cutting-edge technology, allowing for the safest possible facial fat transfer. This suite offers privacy and is staffed with medical professionals who have years of experience. It has received professional accreditation from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, and all post-operative recovery is in house.
When surgeons encounter facial plastic surgery patients with especially complex needs, they refer them to Dr. Bovenzi. He has delivered lectures on facial plastic surgery at plastic surgery conventions and has written journal articles on topics such as tranexamic acid.
Dr. Bovenzi underwent a great deal of training to become the renowned facial plastic surgeon he is today. He received his MD from Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia, graduating in the top 1% of his class.
Following a residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, he was selected for a facial plastic and reconstructive surgery fellowship at Emory University’s School of Medicine. This opportunity is quite rare—only around 55 of these focused training opportunities are available in the United States.
Dr. Bovenzi is board-certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (ABOHNS) and the American Board of Medical Specialties.
Patients visiting Smith Cosmetic Surgery & Medical Aesthetic Center can enjoy a trip to Cherry Creek State Park or the City Park Golf Course, along with high-quality dining options like Guard and Grace and coffee shops like Rivers and Roads
Several factors can determine the cost of a fat transfer to the face at our Denver facility, including the amount of fat that is transferred, fat placement, and the patient’s anatomy. If the procedure is a revision surgery, this can also affect price, as can anesthesia fees.
Unlike temporary dermal fillers or BOTOX® and Dysport® that require routine maintenance, a well-performed fat transfer offers long-term volume restoration with results that integrate naturally into your facial structure. Dr. Cory Bonvenzi focuses on meticulous harvesting and injection techniques to maximize fat survival and achieve results that blend seamlessly with your natural features.
When determining the cost of a fat transfer, it’s important to consider the factors that influence pricing, as mentioned. The amount of fat harvested and transferred directly affects the procedure’s complexity—larger transfers demand more extensive harvesting and precision placement. Additionally, individual anatomy plays a role; some patients need only minor volume adjustments, while others benefit from broader contour refinements. Lastly, the anesthesia fees.
For patients interested in financing their facial fat transfer surgery, we’ve partnered with CareCredit. CareCredit offers plastic surgery financing plans to help patients pay for their procedures.
Facial fat grafting consultations take place at our Smith Cosmetic Surgery office in Denver, CO, not far from The Denver Central Market, Larimer Square, and Coors Field. Dr. Cory Bonvenzi emphasizes the importance of a thorough, personalized consultation when determining the price of a facial fat transfer. Every patient’s anatomy, treatment goals, and desired outcome are considered, which can influence the amount of fat needed and the complexity of the procedure.
During your consultation, Dr. Bonvenzi will examine areas of the body where fat can be harvested, discuss possible placement sites on the face, and cover any additional fees, such as anesthesia or facility costs. This detailed approach helps ensure you have a clear understanding of what to expect from the day of your actual facial fat transfer to estimated recovery times. Whether it’s your first procedure or a revision surgery, Dr. Bonvenzi will walk you through all of the relevant details so you’re fully informed about the investment and potential benefits of restoring facial volume with fat transfer. Questions are encouraged at any time.
After a facial fat transfer at our Denver office, you may require a week and a half to two weeks of downtime for recovery. You’ll need to wear a compression garment to encourage skin retraction and control post-operative swelling, and lymphatic massage may also be scheduled.
You may experience a degree of temporary bruising, discomfort, and pain.4 You’ll need to take prescribed antibiotics to avoid infections.
During a follow-up appointment, Dr. Bovenzi will ensure that your healing is going as expected. No stitch removal will be required, since your stitches will absorb on their own in around a week.
Due to Dr. Bovenzi’s high degree of skill, the likelihood of complications after a facial fat transfer is incredibly rare. However, like any cosmetic procedure, there are potential side effects. These can include minor irregularities or asymmetry, infection, hematoma (bruising), and nerve-related issues. In very rare cases, fat necrosis, fat embolism5, or intravascular injection may occur. Additional considerations are potential fat migration, prolonged swelling, or conditions like acne reactivation and spider vein formation.6 While these complications are uncommon, discussing all possibilities during your consultation is important. Our priority is your safety and satisfaction, and Dr. Bonvenzi will guide you every step of the way to ensure the best possible outcome.
References:
1Schultz, Kelly P, Anjali Raghuram, Matthew J Davis, Amjed Abu-Ghname, Edward Chamata, and Rod J Rohrich. “Fat Grafting for Facial Rejuvenation.” Seminars in plastic surgery, February 2020. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7023965/.
2Frankeny, Ariel. “The Future of Facial Augmentation: A Closer Look at Fat Grafting and Transfer Techniques in Facial Plastic Surgery.” American Society of Plastic Surgeons, January 18, 2024. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/articles/the-future-of-facial-augmentation-a-closer-look-at-fat-grafting-and-transfer-techniques-in-facial-plastic-surgery.
3American Society of Plastic Surgeons. “Most Plastic Surgeons Now Use Fat Grafting as Part of Facelift Surgery.” American Society of Plastic Surgeons, June 26, 2015. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/press-releases/most-plastic-surgeons-now-use-fat-grafting-as-part-of-facelift-surgery.
4American Society of Plastic Surgeons. “Most Plastic Surgeons Now Use Fat Grafting as Part of Facelift Surgery.” American Society of Plastic Surgeons, June 26, 2015. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/press-releases/most-plastic-surgeons-now-use-fat-grafting-as-part-of-facelift-surgery.
6Schiraldi, Luigi, Gianluca Sapino, Joachim Meuli, Michele Maruccia, Mario Cherubino, Wassim Raffoul, and Pietro G di Summa. “Facial Fat Grafting (FFG): Worth the Risk? A Systematic Review of Complications and Critical Appraisal.” Journal of clinical medicine, August 11, 2022. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9410081.
Discover how fat grafting to the face can renew your appearance with the expertise of Dr. Cory Bonvenzi at Smith Cosmetic Surgery in Denver, CO. Our state-of-the-art facial fat transfer technique targets volume loss and enhances your natural features for a refreshed, youthful glow. Whether you’re coming from nearby or traveling in, you’ll find convenient accommodations right around the corner—choose from trusted hotels like the Denver Marriott Tech Center, The Inverness Denver, the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center, or the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Denver Tech Center. If you’re ready to begin your transformation, schedule your free consultation by calling 303-741-2211 or book a consultation online to experience personalized care tailored to your needs.
