Price of a facelift combined with facial fat transfer in Switzerland

Facial ageing combines two phenomena: the tissues descend, and the face loses volume at the temples, cheekbones, around the eyes and mouth. A facelift corrects the descent by repositioning the deep tissues; it does not restore lost volume. Fat transfer, by reinjecting the patient's own fat, restores this volume. Combining the two in a single procedure gives a more complete and more natural rejuvenation. The price is that of the facelift, plus a supplement for the fat transfer, which depends on the number of areas injected. For the procedure, see our page on the facelift and facial fat transfer.

The combined cost includes the facelift, often of the face and neck, and fat transfer to several areas, with a single anaesthetic and a single stay. Fat transfer represents a moderate supplement compared with the facelift alone. The facelift technique and the number of areas injected are the main price factors. The combination is cosmetic and not reimbursed.

The facelift component includes the chosen technique (mini facelift, SMAS, deep plane or face and neck lift) and its duration. The fat transfer component includes harvesting by small-volume liposuction, preparation of the fat and its injection into the chosen areas. Anaesthesia and clinic costs are shared.

The most common areas are the temples, which hollow with age, the cheekbones, the under-eye hollows, the folds between the nose and mouth, the lips and the jawline. Each area requires meticulous injection time. The surgeon determines the useful areas during the consultation, based on facial analysis.

The facelift technique affects the price more than the fat transfer. A mini facelift combined with fat transfer is the most moderate combination; a deep plane face and neck lift combined with fat transfer to several areas is the highest. See our pages on the deep plane facelift price and the facial fat transfer price.

For a face and neck lift combined with fat transfer to three areas, prices vary as follows by city and canton, with Geneva as the reference.

Some of the injected fat disappears in the first few months. The surgeon takes this into account, but a small fat transfer top-up under local anaesthesia may be useful after six months. It is worth knowing in advance whether it is included or charged.

The face is swollen and bruised for one to two weeks, a little more than after a facelift alone because of the injected fat. Social life often resumes after two to three weeks. The result stabilises in three to six months.

Check the facelift technique, the fat transfer areas, anaesthesia, the overnight stay, check-ups and the terms for a fat top-up. Ask for results photos at one year, front and profile.

A fifty-year-old woman with a hollow face and a slightly sagging jawline: mini facelift and fat transfer, moderate budget. A sixty-year-old woman with clear sagging and hollow temples: face and neck lift and fat transfer, high budget. A comprehensive project including the eyelids: highest budget, in a single procedure.

Cold compresses, skincare products, two to three weeks of keeping a low profile, possible fat top-up.

The combination avoids the pulled look of a facelift alone on a hollow face, and the overfilled look of repeated injections. This is the main reason for its popularity.

In the face, small quantities are enough, but precision is essential. The fat is harvested using very fine cannulas, then purified by decanting, centrifugation or filtration. For deep areas such as the temples or cheekbones, fat with slightly larger particles is used; for superficial areas such as under-eye hollows or fine lines, very fine or even emulsified fat, called nanofat, also improves skin quality. Injection is done in tiny amounts, layer by layer, using specific cannulas. This painstaking work explains why fat transfer, although modest in volume, has its own cost in the quote.

It is often offered between fifty and seventy, when both sagging and volume loss are present. Earlier, fat transfer alone or a mini facelift may be enough; later, the combination remains possible if you are in good health.

A facelift gives a benefit lasting many years; fat that has taken stays in place. Compared with regularly repeated hyaluronic acid injections, this combination is often a more cost-effective investment over time.

The technique, recovery and risks are explained in detail on our page Facelift and facial fat transfer in Switzerland.

Other prices to consult

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• Profileplasty: nose, chin and double chin: prices in Switzerland
• Rhinoplasty and genioplasty: prices in Switzerland

Our guides

• Combined procedures in Switzerland
• Cosmetic surgery in Switzerland

Quotes, payment, insurance: the essentials in short answers.

Questions about price

Can the jawline be enhanced? Yes, with fat, depending on the facial analysis.

Is the fat prepared differently depending on the area? Yes, finer for superficial areas.

Can under-eye hollows be treated? Yes, with very fine fat.

Do the lips regain volume? Yes, naturally.

How much fat is needed? A few tens of millilitres in most cases.

Does the harvesting leave a mark? A very small incision.

Is the combination more cost-effective than injections? Often, over several years.

Why combine a facelift and fat transfer? The facelift repositions the tissues, the fat restores lost volume.

Does fat transfer add much to the price? A moderate extra cost, depending on the number of areas.

Which areas receive the fat? Often the temples, cheekbones, under-eye hollows, folds and lips.

Where does the fat come from? Abdomen, hips or thighs, in small quantities.

Does the fat always take? Some is reabsorbed; the rest is long-lasting.

Is a fat top-up common? Sometimes, a few months later.

Does the price depend on the facelift technique? Yes: deep plane, SMAS or mini facelift.

Can eyelid surgery be added? Yes, at extra cost.

Is the procedure reimbursed? No, except in reconstructive cases.

How long does the operation take? Often four to five hours.

Do you need to stay overnight at the clinic? Generally one night.

Is the anaesthesia general? In most cases.

How long before you can be seen in public? Two to three weeks.

Is swelling more pronounced with fat? A little, in the first few weeks.

Is the result more natural? Often, as the face regains its volume.

Does the price vary between Lausanne and Zurich? A little; our tables show this.

Is payment in instalments possible? At some clinics.

Is a deposit required? Often.

Is the first appointment charged for? Generally.

Is nanofat charged separately? Sometimes, for skin quality.

Can fat transfer replace a facelift? Only for mild sagging.

Can a facelift replace fat transfer? No, it does not restore volume.

Are travel costs covered? No.

Should the quote list the areas for fat? Yes.

Does the quote expire? After a few months.

Does the result last? Many years for the facelift; fat that has taken is long-lasting.

Can the face look overfilled? With excessive injection; hence the importance of restraint.

Must the surgeon master both techniques? Yes, this is essential.

Can a skin treatment be added? Yes, laser or peel, at extra cost.

Do men also have this combination? Yes.

Is smoking a problem? Yes, you must stop.

Tell us your canton: we will send you, free of charge, an all-inclusive quote from a facial surgeon near you.