Introduction
Facial fat filling, also known as facial fat transfer or fat grafting, has emerged as a popular cosmetic procedure in New York City. This technique involves harvesting healthy fat cells from one part of the body and injecting them into the facial tissues to restore lost volume, smooth lines, and enhance facial features. In this article, we will explore the top ten preferred hospitals for fat filling of the face in New York City in 2025, highlighting the expertise of the surgeons, the facilities, and the benefits of the procedures offered.
Understanding Facial Fat Filling
What is Facial Fat Filling?
Facial fat filling is a cosmetic procedure that uses a patient's own fat to enhance the appearance of the face. As we age, our faces lose volume, resulting in wrinkles, sunken cheeks, and a less youthful appearance. Facial fat transfer can help restore this lost volume by moving fat from areas of the body with excess fat, such as the buttocks, thighs, or abdomen, to the face. This procedure provides a natural alternative to synthetic fillers and implants.
Benefits of Facial Fat Filling
- Natural Results: Since the procedure uses the patient's own fat, the results look and feel natural, blending seamlessly with the existing facial contours.
- Long - Lasting: Once the transferred fat cells establish a blood supply, they can provide long - lasting volume enhancement. While some fat may be reabsorbed initially, a significant portion will remain.
- Low Risk of Rejection: As the fat is from the patient's own body, there is little to no risk of allergic reaction or rejection.
- Improved Skin Quality: The transferred fat contains stem cells that can improve the skin's texture and tone, giving the face a healthier and more youthful appearance.
- Dual Benefit: In addition to enhancing the face, the procedure can also result in a slimmer appearance in the donor area.
Top Ten Preferred Hospitals for Facial Fat Filling in New York City
1. Dr. Darrick Antell's Practice
Dr. Darrick Antell is one of the world's most respected and sought - after plastic surgeons. He was trained at Stanford and Cornell University and has been named a “top plastic surgeon” by Harper’s Bazaar, Town and Country, Vogue, and New York Magazine. Many new patients come to him through referrals, indicating high patient satisfaction.
- Procedure Approach: Dr. Antell's approach to plastic surgery is that “plastic surgery should whisper, not scream,” aiming for subtle, beautiful results that naturally enhance facial features. He performs facial fat transfer by harvesting healthy fat cells from areas like the buttocks or thighs using gentle techniques to avoid cell damage. After purification, the fat cells are injected at a specific depth in the skin tissue to add volume to the desired facial areas.
- Facility: Most patients prefer the procedure to take place in his discreet, private operating room located across the street from Lenox Hill Hospital. The facility has a private back entrance for discretion and is fully accredited, equipped with the latest technology, and staffed by well - trained professionals to offer personalized care.
- Anesthesia and Recovery: The procedure is typically performed with local anesthesia and intravenous sedation or “twilight” sedation. After surgery, patients recover in a state - of - the - art recovery suite. Swelling and bruising are common but usually subside within the first two weeks. Most patients can return to their daily activities within a day, but the final result may take up to a month to be visible due to residual swelling.
2. Gotham Plastic Surgery
Gotham Plastic Surgery offers fat injection, also known as fat grafting or fat transplant, as an alternative to artificial dermal filler materials. Their team of doctors, including Dr. Miller, perform various plastic surgery procedures, both surgical and non - surgical.
- Procedure Details: Fat injection at Gotham Plastic Surgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis at their JCAHO - accredited office - based surgery facility. The procedure is usually completed in under an hour and may be performed with local anesthesia. Fat is harvested from an area of excess on the body, such as the outside of the leg or the stomach, using a small cannula and gentle liposuction techniques. The harvested fat is then prepared and re - injected into areas of the face.
- Recovery: There is minimal downtime associated with fat injection. Some minor swelling or bruising may occur but typically resolves within 48 hours. Most patients can resume work and other normal activities on the same or next day.
- Overall Approach: They create custom treatment plans that combine minimally - invasive techniques and advanced technology. Their unique Natra Face™ approach addresses both restorative and transformative changes.
3. New Face NY (Dr. Westreich)
Dr. Westreich is a double - board surgeon certified in facial plastic surgery and otolaryngology. He is recognized for using advanced techniques in facial fat transfer in NYC to increase the chances of the transferred fat cells surviving, leading to long - lasting results.
- Procedure Process: The facial fat transfer procedure at New Face NY involves three main steps: harvesting fat from areas like the abdomen or thighs, purifying the removed fat, and strategically injecting it into specific areas of the face. Fat can be processed into different - sized pieces (regular, micro, and nano fat) for a tailored approach. The nano - fat purification process increases the stem cell component, leading to regenerative changes to the skin independent of volume.
- Benefits: The main advantages of the procedure here are the use of the patient's own tissues, reducing the risk of allergic reactions or rejection, and the ability to improve the skin's overall texture and tone. Results are natural - looking, long - lasting, and the procedure offers a dual benefit of slimming the donor site.
- Patient Criteria: Ideal candidates are in good overall health, non - smokers, have adequate excess fat for harvesting, are experiencing facial volume loss, and have sufficient skin elasticity.
4. Zuckerman Plastic Surgery
Located in the prestigious Upper East Side of New York City, Dr. Joshua D. Zuckerman offers expert facial fat grafting injections that provide natural - looking rejuvenation and long - lasting results.
- Procedure Stages: The process starts with a thorough consultation where Dr. Zuckerman assesses the facial structure, skin quality, and discusses aesthetic goals. He also evaluates potential donor sites. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, often combined with sedation. Fat is harvested using a gentle liposuction technique, purified, and then meticulously injected into the target areas of the face to restore volume and improve contours.
- Recovery and Maintenance: Recovery is relatively quick, with most patients experiencing mild swelling and bruising at both the donor and injection sites that typically resolve within a week or two. To maintain the results, patients are advised to follow a healthy lifestyle, protect their skin from the sun, and maintain a stable weight.
- Patient Suitability: Ideal candidates seek a natural method for facial enhancement, have areas of facial volume loss, possess sufficient fat deposits for extraction, and are in good health with realistic expectations.
5. Steven Wallach MD, FACS
Dr. Wallach's facial fat injections are an excellent option for men to gain fullness and shape in their face. The procedure uses the patient's own fat, making it non - allergenic.
- Preparation and Procedure: Patients who are smokers should avoid smoking for a few weeks before and after the procedure, and also avoid blood thinners for 1 - 2 weeks prior. During the consultation, Dr. Wallach assesses the face to determine the areas that will benefit from increased volume, usually the cheeks. The most common donor sites are the abdomen, thighs, and waist. The fat is then harvested and injected into the desired areas.
- Results and Recovery: The results are visible immediately, but the enhancement may appear greater right after the procedure and will settle over time. Since some fat cells are absorbed, the amount of fat transferred is slightly greater than required. Patients may need future procedures as they age. There is some downtime involved for the donor site to heal.
6. Greenberg Cosmetic Surgery
Dr. Stephen T. Greenberg offers facial fat transfer consultations at seven convenient locations in Manhattan, New York City, Princeton, New Jersey, and other areas. He can design a treatment plan tailored to each patient's goals and natural facial features.
- Procedure Steps: The first step is liposuction, where fat cells are harvested from the hips, abdomen, buttocks, or thighs. The fat is then purified in a centrifuge. After that, the injection site is prepared, and the fat cells are layered at decreasing depths until the desired volume and shape are restored. At least two access points are used for each area to ensure a uniform and smooth transfer.
- Recovery Timeline: The surgery is usually an outpatient procedure. In the first two weeks, patients may experience soreness, swelling, bruising, and numbness. They should keep their head elevated, avoid strenuous activity, and take prescribed pain medication. Most swelling, tenderness, and bruising disappear within a month, and patients can return to work within two weeks. In the following months, they should avoid prolonged exposure to heat, sun, saunas, and steam baths, and protect their scars with sunscreen.
- Cost and Consultation: The cost of the facial fat transfer depends on the amount of fat needed and the extent of the work. The team will discuss the details of the expected price and payment options during the consultation.
7. Dr. Kolker's Practice
Dr. Adam Kolker is well - known for his work in facial fat transfer in NYC. He maintains a comprehensive gallery of before - and - after photographs to protect patient confidentiality.
- Consultation and Planning: During the initial consultation, Dr. Kolker thoroughly discusses the patient's desires and expectations. He conducts a detailed examination of the skin and soft tissue relationships and helps plan the autologous fat graft or fat transfer techniques and any combination of cosmetic surgery and fat graft techniques to achieve the most natural and desired result.
- Procedure and Recovery: Fat cells are removed using a small cannula and prepared as fat grafts, which are then transferred to the problem areas of the face using a small needle. If the fat grafts are performed as an isolated procedure under local anesthesia, patients may take two or three days off work, but many can return the next day. When combined with other procedures, the return - to - work time may range from seven to fourteen days. Swelling is common and usually resolves after two weeks, but the final results may take up to 12 weeks to be evident.
8. Dr. Cangello's Practice
Dr. David Cangello is a renowned expert in fat grafting to the face. He was mentored by and shared a practice with one of the pioneers of the fat grafting method, Dr. Sydney Coleman, and has mastered the skills to deliver long - lasting and natural - looking results.
- Procedure Steps: The fat transfer to the face procedure has three steps: harvest, process, and transfer. Fat is harvested from areas like the hips, thighs, or flanks after injecting an anesthetic and making a small incision. It is then processed using a centrifuge to separate it from fluids and oils. Finally, the purified fat is transferred to the recipient area through a tiny incision.
- Applications and Recovery: The procedure can be used for facial rejuvenation, lip enhancement, facial sculpting, and improving surface depressions. Recovery involves about one to two weeks of puffiness and bruising, and mild discomfort during the first week can be managed with pain medication. The majority of swelling disappears within a month, and bruising subsides in 10 - 14 days.
- Patient Selection and Consultation: Ideal candidates have areas of facial volume loss or a desire to augment facial features, are healthy, and have enough fat on potential donor areas. During the consultation, Dr. Cangello creates a customized treatment plan based on the patient's goals and concerns.
Comparison of the Top Ten Hospitals
| Hospital/Surgeon | Surgeon's Qualifications | Procedure Approach | Facility Features | Recovery Time | Expected Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Darrick Antell | Trained at Stanford and Cornell, “top plastic surgeon” as per multiple magazines | Subtle, natural - enhancement approach; gentle fat harvesting and injection | Private operating room near Lenox Hill Hospital, fully accredited, private entrance | Most swelling in 2 weeks, final result in 1 month, minimal daily - activity downtime | Rejuvenated, refreshed appearance with natural - looking volume |
| Gotham Plastic Surgery (Dr. Miller) | Part of a team of experienced plastic surgeons | Outpatient, local - anesthesia fat injection with gentle liposuction for harvesting | JCAHO - accredited office - based surgery facility | Minor swelling/bruising in 48 hours, can resume normal activities same/next day | Volume enhancement and reduction of wrinkles/creases |
| New Face NY (Dr. Westreich) | Double - board certified in facial plastic surgery and otolaryngology | Advanced techniques for higher fat - cell survival; processing fat into different sizes | N/A | Results evolve over weeks with swelling reduction, final in months | Long - lasting, natural - looking results with improved skin quality |
| Zuckerman Plastic Surgery (Dr. Joshua D. Zuckerman) | Expert in facial fat grafting | Thorough consultation, local anesthesia with sedation, meticulous injection | Located in Upper East Side | Swelling and bruising in 1 - 2 weeks, quick return to normal activities | Natural - looking rejuvenation and long - lasting results |
| Steven Wallach MD, FACS | Experienced plastic surgeon | Non - allergenic fat injection, assessment of face and donor sites | N/A | Visible results immediately, some downtime for donor - site healing | Fuller face with enhanced contours for men |
| Greenberg Cosmetic Surgery (Dr. Stephen T. Greenberg) | Can design customized treatment plans | Liposuction for fat harvesting, centrifuge purification, layered injection | Consultations at multiple locations | Swelling, tenderness, and bruising in 1 month, return to work in 2 weeks | Restored youthful complexion, smoothing of lines and wrinkles |
| Dr. Kolker | Skilled in fat transfer and related plastic surgery procedures | Detailed consultation and planning, careful fat - graft preparation and transfer | Accredited office - based surgical suite | 2 - 3 days off work (isolated procedure), 7 - 14 days (with other procedures), swelling in 2 weeks, final in 12 weeks | Natural - looking volume restoration and wrinkle reduction |
| Dr. Cangello | Trained under a pioneer in fat grafting | Harvest, process, transfer steps with centrifuge purification | State - of - the - art operating room in NYC office, privileges at other hospitals | 1 - 2 weeks of puffiness and bruising, swelling in 1 month |
