Facial Fat Transfer in Johannesburg

Reviews You Can Trust

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 64 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Lisa Mncube 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. It’s a year now since my surgery last year on the 9th of July. I am extremely happy with my new look🥰
I did an abdominoplasty, 360 liposuction and hip dips filler. Wade was amazing from the day I contacted them till after care. Natasha and Natalie were all fantastic. They all offered me world class service from start to finish. Everything was well explained to me and they were always available when I needed them.
Dr Weyers and his team at theatre were amazing too, I recovered quickly and only spent 3 nights at the hospital.
As I type this review, I managed to complete my first comrades marathon(86KM) on the 14th of June with ease, just to emphasise that my surgery went so well and I got exactly what I wanted and recovered well.
Keep up the good work guys, greatly appreciated 🙏👌
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Tshiamo Maloka 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Best in the city ✨✨✨
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Mbali Thwala 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had my surgeries carefully curated in 2 phases. The process is a well coordinated and you are assured and kept abreast of all aspects. Dr Weyers and his team are simply the best. Dr is very professional, knowledgeable and passionate about his craft.

Pain management is taken care of. Dr Weyers’ work doesn’t end once he concludes the operation, he follows through even during recovery and should he suspect issues he quickly addresses them. It truly is a 5 star experience! Expensive but worth every cent. My confidence is at its peak. I feel as good as I look!!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Tha Ndlovu 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dr D. Such an amazing soul, loving soul, always happy. He loves what he's doing, whatever you want with your body, he goes the extra mile to make sure you are satisfied. Dr D will always gives a second chance at loving yourself more. You're the best Plastic Surgeon. 🌹😍
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Paige Pitt 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dr Weyers is such a charming person. He does such an amazing job and is very driven. He doesn't leave anyone unhappy. Definitely recommend him!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Marti Spies 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. After losing more than 70kg over the last two years, I knew that removing the excess skin would be the final step in completing my transformation.

Choosing Dr Deon for that journey was one of the best decisions I could have made.
From the very first consultation, Dr Deon made me feel comfortable, informed, and confident in the process ahead. His professionalism, skill, and attention to detail were evident every step of the way. He took the time to answer my questions, explain everything clearly, and ensure I felt supported throughout the entire journey.

I underwent a lower body lift, belt lipectomy, and liposuction, and while recovery has certainly had its challenges, the results have been truly life changing. Dr Deon didn't just perform surgery, he helped me complete a transformation that started with a commitment to changing my life.

For the first time in many years, I feel comfortable in my own skin. The confidence and freedom I have gained are difficult to put into words. I am incredibly grateful to Dr Deon and his team for their care, support, and exceptional work.

Thank you for helping me close one chapter and begin another with confidence. I would recommend Dr Deon without hesitation to anyone considering body contouring surgery after major weight loss
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Heinrich Janse van Rensburg 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. What a great team and experience. Dr. Weyers is a true artist. 🍃🥂
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Jacqueline 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. It's good

Choosing a plastic surgeon is a highly personal decision. Our consistent patient feedback and 4.9-star Google rating reflect the high standard of care, professionalism and patient experience you can expect with Dr Deon Weyers.

Coverage from Johannesburg at Our Fourways Practice

DW Skin & Body is the private practice of Dr Deon Weyers, a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon based at Life Fourways Hospital in Johannesburg. The practice sees patients from across South Africa, including those travelling from Johannesburg and surrounding suburbs, at its single Fourways location. There are no other branches.

Facial fat transfer is the relocation of small parcels of your own fat from a donor site, usually the abdomen, flanks or inner thighs, into areas of the face where volume has been lost. It is commonly used for the cheeks, the area under the eyes (the tear trough), the temples, the nasolabial folds, the lips and the jawline. Because the material is autologous, meaning it comes from your own body, there is no risk of an allergic reaction to the graft itself, and the result feels like native tissue once it has taken.

Autologous fat (from your own body)
Restores volume in cheeks, tear trough, temples, lips, jawline
Often combined with facelift or blepharoplasty
Planned in micro-aliquots for graft survival

Fat contains a population of adipose-derived stem cells within its stromal vascular fraction, and Dr Weyers’ special interest in regenerative medicine informs how the graft is handled and where it is placed. Survival of transferred fat depends on close contact with a living blood supply at the recipient site, which is why experienced surgeons place the fat in small droplets across many passes rather than as a single bolus.

For a broader overview of fat transfer as a procedure family across both face and body, see the practice’s main fat transfer hub page, or send a message to arrange a consultation.

What Facial Fat Transfer Involves

After the donor area is infiltrated with a dilute local anaesthetic solution, fat is harvested using a low-pressure cannula. The fat is then processed, most commonly by gentle centrifugation or filtration, to separate the intact fat lobules from oil, blood and the watery infiltrate. The purified fat is loaded into small syringes and injected into the recipient sites through fine cannulas in micro-aliquots, often less than 0.1 ml per pass.

The procedure can be performed under local anaesthetic with sedation for smaller, isolated areas, or under general anaesthetic when it is combined with a facelift, blepharoplasty or a larger volume restoration. Most combined cases stay one night in hospital; isolated facial fat grafting is usually done as a day case.

Facial fat transfer is a volume procedure, not a tightening procedure. If skin laxity is the dominant concern, a facelift or related procedure may be planned alongside, or instead of, fat grafting.

Facial Fat Transfer Versus Dermal Fillers

Autologous Facial Fat Transfer

Uses your own fat, harvested from a donor site such as the abdomen, processed and re-injected into the face. A portion of the graft is expected to survive long-term; the remainder is resorbed in the first weeks. The result, once stable, is permanent in the sense that the surviving fat behaves like native facial fat.

Best for patients seeking a longer-lasting, natural-feeling volume restoration across larger areas of the face, for those who prefer to avoid synthetic materials, and for cases where a small amount of body contouring at the donor site is welcome.

Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Fillers

Synthetic, hyaluronic-acid based gels injected into specific facial areas to add volume and soften folds. The result is immediate and adjustable, but the material is gradually broken down by the body over months and requires repeat treatment to maintain.

Best for patients seeking a smaller, targeted change, for those wanting to assess the look of added volume before committing to a longer-lasting option, and for revisions or touch-ups in specific areas.

Element	Facial Fat Transfer	Dermal Fillers (Hyaluronic Acid)
Material source	Your own fat (autologous)	Synthetic hyaluronic acid gel
Typical longevity	Surviving fat is long-lasting; full result visible at 3 to 6 months	Temporary; duration depends on product and area, commonly 6 to 18 months
Procedure setting	Hospital theatre, often under general anaesthetic if combined	Rooms-based procedure under local anaesthetic
Downtime	Bruising and swelling at both donor and recipient sites for 1 to 2 weeks	Mild bruising and swelling at injection sites for a few days
Adjustability	Limited; surviving fat is permanent until further ageing or weight change	Reversible with hyaluronidase; can be topped up or dissolved
Best fit	Broader volume restoration across multiple facial areas	Targeted correction of a specific fold or contour

The Procedure

The Procedure, Step by Step

From the first consultation to the final review, every stage is led by Dr Weyers personally. The numbered sequence below is the standard pathway for facial fat transfer at our Fourways practice.

Consultation and assessment
A 45 to 60 minute consultation covers your goals, an assessment of facial volume and skin quality, a discussion of which areas would benefit most from grafting, and a review of any prior filler treatments or facial surgery. Standardised photographs are taken and Dr Weyers discusses whether facial fat transfer alone is appropriate, or whether it should be combined with a facelift, blepharoplasty or another procedure.
Pre-operative work-up
Blood tests and a medical assessment by the anaesthetist are arranged in the two to four weeks before surgery. Smoking cessation is required for at least four weeks ahead of the procedure to protect graft survival and wound healing. Any non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, fish oil or herbal supplements that increase bleeding are stopped in the days before surgery.
Donor site preparation and harvest
On the day of surgery the donor area, usually the abdomen or flanks, is infiltrated with a dilute local anaesthetic solution containing a vasoconstrictor. Fat is harvested using a low-pressure cannula attached to a syringe, with care taken to keep the fat lobules intact rather than fragmenting them.
Processing of the fat
The harvested fat is processed to remove oil, blood and the watery infiltrate. The method varies (gentle centrifugation, filtration or sedimentation); the goal in each case is the same, which is to retain viable, intact fat lobules for grafting while removing non-viable material.
Injection into the face
The purified fat is loaded into small syringes and injected into the recipient areas through fine blunt cannulas. Dr Weyers places the fat in micro-aliquots across many passes, so each small parcel sits close to a blood supply. Common sites include the cheeks, temples, tear trough, nasolabial folds, lips and pre-jowl sulcus.
Recovery and review
Most patients have visible bruising and swelling at both the donor and recipient sites for 7 to 14 days. The bulk of the swelling settles in the first month; the final volume is judged at three to six months, by which point the surviving fat has stabilised. A second session is occasionally planned if more volume is needed once the first graft has settled.

Risks and Surgical Considerations

Facial fat transfer, like any surgical procedure that combines liposuction with facial injection, carries documented risks. The complication categories below come from published facial fat grafting and autologous fat transfer literature and are framed as ranges because no single centre reproduces every figure identically. Candidacy, surgical technique and post-operative care all influence the individual risk profile.

Asymmetry between sides – Common and usually minor; small asymmetries are normal where the face was already asymmetric before surgery. Significant asymmetry is addressed at the six-month review.
Undercorrection or overcorrection – Because not all transferred fat survives, undercorrection is more common than overcorrection; a second session is occasionally planned once the first graft has settled.
Fat necrosis and oil cysts – When grafted fat does not receive a blood supply, it can form small firm lumps or oil cysts. These are uncommon with careful micro-aliquot placement and usually resolve or are amenable to local treatment.
Infection – Below 1 percent in most reported series; peri-operative antibiotics are given as standard.
Donor site issues – Bruising, swelling and temporary numbness at the donor site are common. Contour irregularities at the donor site are uncommon with low-pressure harvesting but can occur.
Vascular complications – Rare but serious. Injection into a facial artery can in theory cause skin or retinal compromise; published case reports describe visual complications, which is why experienced surgeons use blunt cannulas, low pressure, and a clear knowledge of facial vascular anatomy.

What reduces risk: choose a surgeon who operates in a hospital theatre, harvests and processes fat with low-pressure techniques, places grafts in small micro-aliquots under direct knowledge of facial vascular anatomy, stops smoking before and after surgery, discloses every medication and supplement, and attends every scheduled review.

Red flag symptoms in the first two weeks (call the practice and seek in-person review):

Sudden severe pain or blanching of the skin over a treated area
Sudden change in vision, even if vision is not yet lost
Increasing swelling on one side after day 5
Fever above 38 degrees Celsius
Spreading redness or discharge from a donor or recipient site

Facial fat transfer is a planned surgical procedure and not appropriate for emergency presentations. If you cannot reach the practice and the symptoms above are present, present to the closest emergency department. Medical disclaimer: the information on this page is general and does not replace an in-person assessment. Outcomes vary between patients; no specific result can be promised. Suitability, technique choice, and any combination of procedures are decided at consultation.

Choosing Your Surgeon

Whether you are seen at our practice or by another specialist, the criteria below cover what to verify before booking facial fat transfer in South Africa:

HPCSA registration.Confirm specialist registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa before booking, and check that the surgeon is a specialist in plastic and reconstructive surgery rather than a general practitioner offering cosmetic procedures.
Hospital setting.Confirm where the procedure is performed. Facial fat grafting that combines abdominal or flank harvest with facial injection is appropriate for a hospital theatre with appropriate anaesthetic support.
Grafting technique transparency.Ask how the fat is harvested and processed, and how the graft is placed. Small-volume, micro-aliquot placement with low-pressure harvesting is the standard pattern; vague answers are a warning sign.
Photography and review schedule.Expect standardised photographs before surgery and a planned review at three to six months, when the final volume is judged rather than the immediate post-operative look.
Written quote and consent.Expect a written, itemised quote after consultation covering surgeon, anaesthetist, theatre, and any planned second session. Consent should cover both donor and recipient sites and the realistic range of graft survival.

What Facial Fat Transfer Costs

Facial fat transfer costs vary with the volume of fat grafted, whether the procedure is combined with a facelift or other facial surgery, the anaesthetic duration, and the hospital setting. As a market guide rather than a quote, total fees for facial fat grafting in South Africa typically fall into broad market ranges that the practice is happy to discuss after an in-person assessment.

A written quote is provided after consultation. It itemises surgeon, anaesthetist, theatre time, hospital or day-case fee, and the planned follow-up schedule. A second grafting session, when clinically indicated, is quoted separately. Cosmetic facial fat transfer is generally not covered by medical aid; a small reconstructive component, where applicable, is assessed on its own.

What to Watch Out For

Three recurring issues tend to surface during second opinions:

Treating fat transfer as a tightening procedureFat transfer restores volume; it does not lift lax skin. If skin laxity is the dominant concern, the plan needs a facelift or skin-resurfacing element as well, or the result will underwhelm.

Basing the plan on filler history alonePatients who have had multiple rounds of dermal filler can have altered tissue planes. The plan needs to account for any residual filler, the integrity of the deeper fat pads, and the realistic ceiling for any one session.

Skipping an in-person assessmentCandidacy, donor site choice and the volume to be grafted cannot be decided from photos alone. If a clinic books fat grafting on a photo review without an in-person visit, treat that as a flag.

Recovery at a Glance

Typical Recovery Timeline After Facial Fat Transfer

Time after surgery	What is normal	What to avoid
Days 1 to 3	Bruising and swelling at peak at both donor and recipient sites; mild discomfort managed with oral analgesia.	Bending, lifting, social events, hot showers on treated areas.
Days 4 to 10	Bruising fades; donor site tenderness settles; facial swelling begins to reduce.	Strenuous exercise, alcohol, smoking.
Weeks 2 to 3	Most visible bruising resolved; facial swelling continues to settle; numbness and tightness fade.	Heavy exercise, contact sports, sun exposure on incision sites.
Weeks 4 to 6	Light exercise resumes; donor site contour settles.	Saunas, very hot showers, facials or facial massage on grafted areas.
Months 3 to 6	Final graft volume judged; any planned second session is scheduled at this point.	Unprotected sun exposure on incision or harvest sites.

Questions Patients From Johannesburg Ask

Do I need to travel to Fourways for every visit?

Most patients travel to our Fourways practice for the consultation, the day of surgery, and the planned follow-up reviews. The practice is based at Life Fourways Hospital, with the Johannesburg city centre roughly 30 to 40 minutes away depending on time of day and traffic.

Am I a good candidate if I have had dermal fillers before?

Previous filler treatments do not rule you out, but they do change the assessment. Residual filler can mask the volume picture and may need to be dissolved before fat grafting is planned. The first consultation reviews what has been injected, where, and how recently, so that the surgical plan accounts for it.

How long do facial fat transfer results last?

Published series and clinical experience suggest that the surviving fat behaves like native facial fat and lasts long term. The face continues to age normally, and significant weight loss can reduce the volume of grafted fat, so the result is best understood as long-lasting rather than permanent in an absolute sense.

Will I need more than one session?

Some patients reach their volume goal in a single session; others need a second, smaller session once the first graft has stabilised at three to six months. The need for a second session depends on the starting volume deficit, the recipient site, and how the first graft takes. This is part of the discussion at consultation, not a surprise after surgery.

Is facial fat transfer safe?

Facial fat transfer has a long history in plastic surgery and a well-documented safety profile when performed by a qualified surgeon in an appropriate setting. Serious complications, including vascular events, are rare. The risks are discussed in detail at consultation, including the categories listed in the risks section above.

When can I return to work and social activities?

Most patients are presentable socially with light makeup at 10 to 14 days. Bruising at the donor site usually fades faster than facial bruising. Strenuous exercise, saunas, and facial massage on grafted areas are usually deferred for four to six weeks.

Does medical aid cover facial fat transfer?

Cosmetic facial fat transfer is generally not covered by medical schemes in South Africa. If a reconstructive component is present, such as contour deformity after trauma or prior surgery, that portion may be assessed separately. The practice will provide a written quote after consultation that distinguishes the two components where relevant.

Is the surgeon with me for every step?

Yes. Dr Weyers performs every consultation, harvest, processing and grafting personally; there is no handoff to junior associates. The anaesthetist and operating-room team rotate, but the surgical and consultation relationship is direct and continuous.

4.9/5

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HPCSA Registered · APRASSA Member

Speak To Us

Speak to the practice about facial fat transfer from Johannesburg

If you are considering facial fat transfer and live in the Johannesburg area, the first step is a confidential consultation at our Fourways practice. Dr Weyers will assess facial volume, donor site options, and whether fat grafting alone or in combination with another procedure is appropriate, and provide a written quote.

Call 011 875 1694
Office hours: Monday to Thursday 08:00 – 17:00, Friday 08:00 – 14:00 · send a message

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Image credits: Hero and section imagery: Life Fourways Hospital exterior, DW Skin & Body media library.

Facial Fat Transfer in Johannesburg | Dr Deon Weyers

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Credentials You Can Trust

Reviews You Can Trust

Coverage from Johannesburg at Our Fourways Practice

What Facial Fat Transfer Involves

Facial Fat Transfer Versus Dermal Fillers

Autologous Facial Fat Transfer

Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Fillers

The Procedure, Step by Step

Consultation and assessment

Pre-operative work-up

Donor site preparation and harvest

Processing of the fat

Injection into the face

Recovery and review

Risks and Surgical Considerations

Choosing Your Surgeon

What Facial Fat Transfer Costs

What to Watch Out For

Recovery at a Glance

Typical Recovery Timeline After Facial Fat Transfer

Questions Patients From Johannesburg Ask

Speak to the practice about facial fat transfer from Johannesburg