Combining Facelift Surgery and Fat Grafting: An Overview of a Combined Surgical Approach

Facial ageing is a gradual process that affects not just the skin, but also the deeper layers of fat, muscle, and bone structure. As we age, the skin loses elasticity and volume diminishes leading to sagging, hollow areas, and loss of youthful definition.

While facelift surgery remains one of the commonly used ways to lift and reposition sagging tissue, combining it with fat grafting may help restore the soft volume that gives the face its natural vibrancy. Together, these techniques aim to create a balanced, refreshed appearance that may look youthful yet entirely authentic.

At Cosmetic Surgery Partners London, our consultant surgeons, including Mr Andrew Douglas, perform advanced, consultant-led facelift procedures that prioritise natural results and patient safety — in accordance with ASA and GMC guidelines.

Why Combining Facelift and Fat Grafting Works So Well?

A facelift focuses on tightening and lifting the lower face and neck, which can improve definition along the jawline and cheeks. However, ageing is not just about sagging it’s also about volume loss.

That’s where fat grafting also known as autologous fat transfer may play a role. By using your own purified fat from another part of the body, surgeons can restore natural fullness to areas that have lost volume.

Over time, fat pads in the face may shift or shrink, especially around the cheeks, temples, and under-eye area. Even after the skin is lifted, without restoring volume, the face can still appear flat or hollow.

When performed together:

• The facelift aims to redefine structure, lifting sagging skin and tightening underlying muscles.
• Fat grafting can help restore softness, enhancing natural contours and smoothing transitions.

This combination is intended to provide a three-dimensional rejuvenation, addressing both the framework (structure) and the surface (softness) for a more balanced, youthful harmony.

👉 Learn more about facelift surgery at Cosmetic Surgery Partners.

The Benefits of Combining Facelift and Fat Grafting

When done in conjunction, these techniques may create results that some patients find more complete and natural-looking than when performed separately.

1. Balanced and Natural Outcomes
   Fat grafting can allow surgeons to add subtle volume where it’s needed such as the mid-face, temples, or nasolabial folds complementing the facelift’s lifting effect.
2. Fewer Signs of Surgical “Tightness”
   Because fat grafting may restore softness, the final result can appear smooth and well-blended rather than overly pulled or tight.
3. Enhanced Skin Quality
   Fat has been associated with regenerative properties, which may contribute to improvements in skin texture and elasticity, further enhancing the refreshed look.
4. Long-Lasting Rejuvenation
   Unlike temporary fillers, transferred fat may integrate naturally into the tissue, which can result in more durable results for some patients.
5. Efficient Recovery Process
   Combining both procedures in one surgery means a single recovery period, rather than separate healing times, although recovery experiences can vary.

Who Might Benefit from a Combined Approach?

This combination may be recommended for patients who:
• Have moderate to advanced facial ageing
• Show both sagging skin and hollow areas
• Seek long-term, natural results rather than short-term volume treatments
• Are in good general health and suitable for surgical procedures under anaesthesia

During consultation, your surgeon will carefully assess facial anatomy, skin elasticity, and volume distribution before recommending whether combining procedures is suitable.

👉 Explore loose skin removal for the face and neck to understand how facial lifting works in more detail.

The Consultation Process

At Cosmetic Surgery Partners London, all facial rejuvenation procedures begin with a detailed consultation with a GMC-registered consultant facial plastic surgeon.

Your consultation may include:

• Facial analysis and digital mapping to evaluate proportions and symmetry
• A discussion of treatment goals, ensuring expectations are realistic and ethical
• A clear explanation of risks, benefits, and recovery timelines

Patients also have the option of online video consultations for preliminary discussions, making it easier to explore options before an in-person appointment.

This transparent approach ensures decisions are fully informed and compliant with ASA advertising and GMC clinical standards.

Recovery and Results

The recovery timeline depends on the extent of both procedures. In general:

• Initial swelling and bruising often subside in 10–14 days.
• Most patients are able to return to light activity within two weeks.
• Final results develop gradually over several months as tissues settle and fat integrates.

Because the facelift and fat transfer address both structure and volume, results may often appear more natural and harmonious.

👉 See facelift before and after results from consultant-led procedures at our clinic.

Why Choose Cosmetic Surgery Partners London?

At Cosmetic Surgery Partners, procedures are performed by experienced consultant surgeons such as Mr Andrew Douglas, who has extensive expertise in facial rejuvenation techniques.

What sets our clinic apart:

• Consultant-led assessments and treatments
• CQC-registered facilities in London
• ASA-compliant communication and transparent patient information
• Focus on natural results and long-term balance rather than overcorrection

Every procedure plan is tailored to your anatomy and goals combining precision with artistry for results that are intended to complement your natural features.

👉 To discuss your options, contact our team for a private consultation.

Conclusion

Combining facelift surgery with fat grafting represents a modern, balanced approach to facial rejuvenation. By addressing both structure (through lifting) and softness (through volume restoration), patients may achieve results that look refreshed, natural, and in harmony with their overall appearance.

At Cosmetic Surgery Partners London, our consultant surgeons specialise in combining these techniques safely and ethically with outcomes that vary between individuals, ensuring each patient receives a result that reflects their unique beauty, not a one-size-fits-all template.

👉 Learn more about facelift surgery in London or schedule your consultation today.