Temple fat transfer: what to know

The surgeon reviews facial proportions, the degree of temple hollowing, available donor fat and your medical history. Fat is collected through liposuction, processed, and placed in small amounts into planned areas. Some transferred fat may not remain, so the early appearance can change as swelling settles and tissues heal. The aim is a balanced contour rather than simply adding as much volume as possible.

Bruising, swelling, tenderness, temporary unevenness and numbness can occur at the face or donor site. Infection, bleeding, contour irregularity and other surgical complications are possible. Fat transfer differs from dermal fillers because it involves a donor-site procedure and a longer healing process.

Tell the surgical team about medicines, smoking or nicotine use, allergies, previous procedures, bleeding problems and conditions that affect healing. Follow instructions about washing, activity, compression garments and medicines. Arrange transport and practical help for the first part of recovery, and keep follow-up visits so healing and symmetry can be assessed.

Do not press, inject or massage the temples unless your surgeon specifically instructs you. Protect healing skin from excess sun exposure and contact the clinic if swelling or pain is increasing rather than settling. A clinician can discuss whether your concern is better addressed by a non-surgical option or another facial treatment.

Contact the surgical team promptly for fever, spreading redness, drainage, rapidly increasing swelling, uncontrolled bleeding, severe pain, chest symptoms or shortness of breath. New vision change, facial weakness, confusion or a severe unusual headache after facial fat transfer needs emergency assessment. Keep the clinic’s emergency contact details accessible during recovery.

Ask why fat transfer suits your temple shape, where fat will be collected, how the surgeon plans placement, what changes are expected during healing, whether staged treatment may be needed, and how complications are handled.