Facial fat grafting (lipofilling) in Miraflores, Lima
Restore your face's lost volume using your own purified fat, harvested and re-injected by Dra. Geldres and Dr. Geldres, plastic surgeons, at Elyzea in Miraflores. A natural, soft, long-lasting result planned with medical precision.
What facial fat grafting is
Facial fat grafting, also called lipofilling, fat transfer or autologous facial fat injection, is a plastic surgery procedure that uses your own fat to restore volume and harmony to your face. The idea is both simple and elegant: instead of introducing an external material, we take a small amount of fat from an area where you have a little to spare (usually the abdomen or flanks), carefully purify it, and re-inject it into the areas of the face that have deflated over time or that naturally always lacked volume.
As the years pass, the face does not only develop wrinkles: it also loses deep fat. The cheeks flatten, the temples hollow, under-eye shadows deepen and folds become more pronounced. This loss of volume is one of the main reasons for the tired or gaunt look many people notice in the mirror. Facial fat grafting addresses precisely that structural origin, replacing the cushioning that time took away, rather than simply tightening the skin.
The great advantage of fat grafting is that it is living tissue and entirely your own. Because it is your own fat, there is no risk of rejection or reaction to a foreign body, and the result looks and feels natural to the touch. In addition, fat contains cells that may improve the quality of the skin overlying the treated area, giving a fresher, more radiant appearance. A portion of the grafted fat integrates permanently with your tissue, which allows for long-lasting results when the procedure is planned with good judgment.
At Elyzea, facial fat grafting is performed by Dra. Geldres and Dr. Geldres, plastic surgeons, at Elyzea, located in the same Miraflores building where we offer aesthetic medicine. This means you go from planning to surgery without changing centers, with the same standard of safety and care from start to finish. To understand how this procedure fits within our surgical offering, you can review our plastic surgery in Miraflores page.
How it is done step by step
Facial fat grafting is performed in three well-defined stages, all within the same session and on an outpatient basis. Dra. Geldres, plastic surgeon, plans each step in advance, marking the areas from which the fat will be harvested and the regions of the face that will receive the graft.
1. Harvesting the fat. Through tiny, almost imperceptible incisions, a measured amount of fat is harvested from the donor area using fine microcannulas. This is a gentle, low-volume mini-liposuction, very different from large-scale liposuction: the goal is not to reshape the body but to obtain good-quality fat for the face. The most common donor areas are the abdomen or flanks, where the fat tends to integrate well once re-injected.
2. Purification and processing. The harvested fat is processed to separate the healthy cells from the fluids, debris and oil we do not want. This stage is key: well-purified fat has a greater chance of taking and surviving in its new location. The result is a clean, concentrated tissue, ready to be re-injected with precision.
3. Re-injection into the face. Using atraumatic microcannulas, the surgeons deposit the fat in small amounts and at different depths, distributing it as fine layers so that each portion sits in contact with well-vascularized tissue. This micro-grafting technique promotes the survival of the fat and allows the volume to be sculpted naturally, avoiding lumps or irregularities. The surgeon shapes the cheeks, temples, under-eyes or folds in real time according to the plan agreed with you.
When finished, the donor-site incisions are closed minimally and the face is left with its new volume. Because a portion of the fat is reabsorbed in the first weeks, the surgeon grafts a calculated amount to compensate for that expected loss, aiming for a harmonious final result once the tissue stabilizes.
Facial areas treated
Facial fat grafting is highly versatile because fat can be placed precisely in almost any area that has lost volume. Dra. Geldres assesses your face as a whole to propose a balanced distribution, since filling a single area in isolation rarely achieves a harmonious result. These are the regions that benefit most:
- Cheeks: restoring projection and lift to the cheeks rejuvenates the entire midface and gives a more defined structure.
- Temples (temporal region): hollow temples create a skeletal, tired appearance; replacing volume here softens the upper contour of the face.
- Under-eyes and tear trough: gently filling the hollow under the eye softens the shadow of dark circles and the gaze looks more rested.
- Nasolabial folds: the creases running from the nose to the corners of the mouth soften when the support of the cheek is restored.
- Jawline and chin: adding volume in this area improves the definition of the facial contour and the balance of the profile.
- Globally deflated or gaunt face: in people with a thin or hollowed appearance, a distributed graft brings freshness and youth back to the whole.
Facial fat grafting combines very well with other treatments to achieve a harmonious profile. If your priority is to define the contour and angles of the face, it is worth also discussing facial contouring, which can be planned together for a comprehensive result.
Fat grafting vs hyaluronic acid: which is right for you?
One of the most frequent questions is whether to fill the face with your own fat or with hyaluronic acid. There is no single answer: they are different tools, and the best one depends on your goals, your availability and how much volume you need to restore. That is why we always discuss it with you honestly.
Hyaluronic acid is a non-surgical, off-the-shelf filler that is applied in the office in a few minutes and offers an immediate result. Its great advantage is reversibility: if needed, it can be dissolved. Its limitation is that the body reabsorbs it over time, so the effect is temporary and must be repeated periodically to be maintained. It is ideal when you want a gradual change, without surgery and without downtime. You can learn more on our hyaluronic acid and dermal fillers page.
Facial fat grafting, on the other hand, is a surgical procedure that uses your own tissue. It involves a mini-liposuction and a recovery period, and is therefore more involved than a hyaluronic acid injection. In return, it offers a result that feels natural to the touch, allows larger volumes to be restored in a single intervention and, thanks to the fat that integrates permanently, tends to be more durable. It also brings the added benefit of improving the skin quality of the treated area.
In practice, many patients combine both approaches over time, or choose one or the other depending on the stage they are in. Dra. Geldres, plastic surgeon, will guide you on which fits your case best, without pushing you toward surgery if a less invasive option solves your goal. If you want to understand in depth the differences between the surgical approach and aesthetic medicine, we recommend reading our article on facial surgery versus aesthetic medicine.
Are you a good candidate for facial fat grafting?
Facial fat grafting is often a good option for people who notice that their face has lost volume and looks more tired, hollow or gaunt than they feel. It is also suitable for those who prefer a filler made of their own tissue rather than an external material, and for those seeking a natural result that lasts longer than a temporary filler.
In general, you are a good candidate if you identify with several of these points:
- You notice loss of volume in the cheeks, temples, under-eyes or folds, whether due to age or to a naturally slim build.
- You have a donor area with enough fat (for example the abdomen or flanks) from which to obtain the graft.
- You are in good general health and have no uncontrolled conditions that would contraindicate surgery.
- You do not smoke, or you are willing to stop smoking before and after the procedure, since smoking affects the survival of the grafted fat.
- You have realistic expectations and understand that a portion of the fat is reabsorbed and that, in some cases, a touch-up may be considered.
It is not the right time if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you have an active infection, or if you have a medical condition that needs to be stabilized first. Only Dra. Geldres can confirm whether fat grafting is right for you, after reviewing your face, your donor areas and your medical history, to give you an honest, personalized recommendation.
How to start
Message us on WhatsApp and we'll answer with prices and options for your case. Facial fat grafting is not booked online: the surgery is planned only once Dra. Geldres, plastic surgeon, confirms that it is indicated and defines the plan together with you, including non-surgical alternatives if they would be more appropriate. This approach ensures that every procedure responds to a real need and to careful analysis, never to a rushed decision.
The price depends on the areas to be treated and the volume of fat required, so the final plan and cost are confirmed by Dra. Geldres for your case, transparently and with no pressure, so you can decide with peace of mind. Your donor areas are confirmed at the clinic before surgery.
Anesthesia and Elyzea in Miraflores
Facial fat grafting is an outpatient procedure, which means you go home the same day. It is performed under local anesthesia, with or without sedation, depending on the amount of fat to be harvested and the donor area chosen. In most cases, local anesthesia complemented by light sedation is enough to make the procedure comfortable and safe, without the need for general anesthesia. Dra. Geldres and Dr. Geldres will determine the most appropriate type of anesthesia for your case during planning.
One thing that sets us apart is that the entire surgery is performed at Elyzea, in our Miraflores building where aesthetic medicine is offered. We do not refer you to an outside center: the procedure is carried out under our direct control, with the equipment, sterility protocols and safety standards that a surgical intervention requires. This continuity, from planning to procedure and follow-up, provides peace of mind that is hard to match.
Safety is the absolute priority. Every step, from prior preparation to monitoring during the procedure and post-operative follow-up, follows rigorous protocols. Working with the patient's own tissue also eliminates the risk of rejection associated with external materials. Even so, no surgery is entirely free of risk, which is why we honestly detail below the considerations you should be aware of.
If you want to learn about the full scope of our surgical unit and the other procedures Dra. Geldres and Dr. Geldres perform at Elyzea, you can visit the main plastic surgery in Miraflores page.
Recovery day by day
Facial fat grafting has a moderate recovery that affects two areas: the face, where the fat was placed, and the donor site, from which it was harvested. It is important to anticipate that there will be swelling and, frequently, some bruising in both regions during the first days. Recovery is very individual, but broadly you can expect the following:
- First few days: facial swelling peaks between the second and third day. The face looks more voluminous than the final result will be, which is completely normal. The donor area may feel tender or like a bruise.
- First week: the bruising begins to fade and the swelling starts to go down. Many people feel comfortable resuming quiet activities, although the appearance is not yet the final one.
- Around two weeks: most of the visible swelling has usually subsided and much of social and work life can be resumed. The bruising at the donor site finishes resolving in this period.
- Following weeks: the face continues to settle gradually as the tissue stabilizes and the fat that will remain consolidates.
During recovery it is common to recommend avoiding intense exercise, excessive heat and sleeping with pressure on the face, in addition to following the specific instructions Dra. Geldres gives you. Each patient receives personalized guidelines and close follow-up to accompany their progress. If you have an important event, it is best to plan the surgery well in advance so you arrive with your face already stabilized.
Reabsorption, results and realistic expectations
To make a good decision it is essential to understand a key aspect of facial fat grafting: not all of the grafted fat stays. In the first weeks and months, the body reabsorbs a portion of the grafted tissue, while the rest establishes its own blood supply and integrates stably and durably. It is common for this reabsorption to be around 30 to 50 percent, although the figure varies depending on the person, the area and the technique.
Far from being a hidden drawback, this is something the surgeons take into account from the planning stage. That is why more fat is grafted than you will see as the final result: the expected loss is compensated for in advance so that, once the tissue stabilizes, the volume is right. The fat that survives those first months is considered permanent and provides the longevity that characterizes this procedure.
The final result is not immediate. During the first weeks you will see a more voluminous face because of the swelling, which then decreases, followed by the reabsorption phase. The final appearance is best appreciated after a few months, once everything has settled. That is why we ask for patience and avoid judging the result in the first days.
In some cases, depending on the degree of reabsorption and each patient's goal, a touch-up may be considered to fine-tune the volume once the face has stabilized. It is neither mandatory nor always needed, but it is a possibility worth knowing about from the start. We keep an honest dialogue: results vary from one person to another and we do not offer guarantees; the final indication and plan are defined by Dra. Geldres for your case.
Risks and contraindications
Like any surgery, facial fat grafting carries risks that are important to understand honestly before deciding. The good news is that, by using your own tissue, the risk of rejection is eliminated, and as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia or sedation, the risks associated with general anesthesia are avoided in most cases. Even so, no intervention is free of possible complications.
Among the considerations Dra. Geldres discusses with you are:
- Prolonged swelling and bruising, both in the face and at the donor site.
- Greater reabsorption than expected, which in some cases may lead to considering a touch-up to reach the desired volume.
- Asymmetries or small surface irregularities, which the micro-grafting technique aims to minimize.
- Risk of infection, uncommon when our sterility protocols are followed.
- Temporary changes in sensation in the treated areas.
Facial fat grafting is contraindicated or should be postponed in situations such as pregnancy or breastfeeding, active infections, uncontrolled diseases or disorders that affect healing. Smoking is a particularly relevant factor, because it reduces blood supply and compromises the survival of the grafted fat; that is why we recommend stopping it during the perioperative period. Before surgery a complete evaluation is carried out precisely to detect any factor that increases risk and to decide, with medical judgment, whether the procedure is safe for you.
Why choose Elyzea for your facial fat grafting
Choosing where and with whom to undergo facial fat grafting is an important decision. At Elyzea we bring together several elements designed to offer you safety, naturalness and a carefully managed experience from start to finish.
- Plastic surgeons leading the way: the procedure is performed by Dra. Geldres and Dr. Geldres, plastic surgeons, with the specific training to plan and execute fat grafting with both aesthetic and medical judgment.
- Our Elyzea in Miraflores: the entire surgery is performed by Dra. Geldres and Dr. Geldres in Miraflores, with no referrals to third parties.
- Integrated continuity: planning, surgery and follow-up all take place under one roof and with one team, which makes for coherent, close care.
- A complete aesthetic vision: by integrating plastic surgery and aesthetic medicine, we can recommend the option that truly fits your goal, whether surgical or not.
- Honesty and precision: we work with realistic expectations, explaining the benefits and the limits of the procedure without exaggerated promises.
Our philosophy combines medical precision with an elegant, human experience. We want you to feel accompanied at every step and for the result to enhance your natural beauty without the intervention being noticeable. If harmony of the facial contour is part of your goal, we can also integrate facial contouring into your plan. The first step is to message us on WhatsApp: we answer your questions and reply with prices and options for your case.
Facial fat grafting pricing in Lima
Facial fat grafting at Elyzea from
S/2,400 (~US$686)
Reference price. The final cost depends on the complexity of your case and is confirmed by Dra. Geldres. Surgery is planned for your case and is not booked online. Reference rate 1 USD = 3.5 PEN.
Your questions answered
From S/2,400 (~US$686). The price depends on the facial areas to be treated and the volume of fat that needs to be grafted, since every case is different. That is why the final plan and figure are confirmed by Dra. Geldres for your case, with a clear, transparent quote and no obligation. Donor areas are confirmed at the clinic before surgery.
A portion of the grafted fat is reabsorbed during the first weeks and months (it commonly ranges around 30 to 50 percent), while the fat that survives and integrates into your tissue is considered permanent. That is why the surgeons graft a calculated amount to compensate for that expected loss. The volume that remains tends to be long-lasting, although the face still ages naturally over time.
There is no single answer, they are different tools. Hyaluronic acid is non-surgical, immediate, reversible and without downtime, but temporary and must be repeated. Fat grafting uses your own tissue, feels very natural, allows more volume to be restored and tends to last longer, in exchange for being a surgery with its recovery. Dra. Geldres will guide you on which fits your case best.
The fat is harvested from your own body, from an area where you usually have some to spare, such as the abdomen or flanks. It is removed with fine microcannulas through a gentle, low-volume mini-liposuction, via tiny incisions. It is then purified and re-injected into the face. The exact donor area is defined by Dra. Geldres according to your anatomy.
There will be swelling and often bruising both in the face and at the donor site during the first days. Swelling usually peaks between the second and third day and goes down notably by around two weeks, when many people resume their social and work life. The face continues to settle gradually over the following weeks. Each patient receives personalized guidelines.
Yes, it is a plastic surgery procedure, though outpatient and minimally invasive. It is performed under local anesthesia, with or without sedation, and you go home the same day. At Elyzea it is performed by Dra. Geldres and Dr. Geldres, plastic surgeons, at Elyzea in Miraflores, with all the safety and sterility protocols that a surgical intervention requires.
Because it is your own fat, the result looks and feels natural to the touch, without the sensation of an external material. The micro-grafting technique, which deposits the fat in small amounts and at different depths, allows the volume to be sculpted softly and harmoniously, avoiding lumps or an artificial appearance. The goal is for it to look like you, with your face rested and rejuvenated.
Not always. In many cases a single procedure is enough. However, because a portion of the fat is reabsorbed, in some people a touch-up may be considered to fine-tune the volume once the face has stabilized, after a few months. It is a possibility Dra. Geldres discusses from the start so you have clear expectations, not a fixed rule.
Message us on WhatsApp — we'll answer with prices and options for your case
Your facial fat grafting in Miraflores
We answer your questions on WhatsApp. The plan and exact price of your facial fat grafting are defined by Dra. Geldres for your case.
Last reviewed: July 2026