Fat grafting is a cosmetic technique that moves a person’s own fat from one area to another to restore volume and refine contours. It is an outpatient procedure usually done by board-certified plastic surgeons in accredited facilities.
The article acts as a practical how-to guide. It explains how surgeons harvest, process, and re-inject tissue, and it outlines safety, realistic outcomes, and when repeat sessions may be needed.
Demand stems from a desire for natural-looking results and improved tissue quality, so many patients prefer this option over synthetic fillers. The transfer stays within the same body, which helps compatibility.
“Grafting” means some of the moved tissue survives by forming a new blood supply while some is reabsorbed. That balance affects planning and final results. For more details on techniques and removal options, see this resource: fat graft and transfer options.
Key Takeaways
- It relocates a person’s own tissue to add volume without synthetic fillers.
- Surgeons harvest, prepare, and re-inject tissue in a staged process.
- Some tissue survives long-term; some is naturally reabsorbed.
- Chosen for natural results and common in modern plastic surgery.
- Later sections cover candidates, techniques, recovery, and repeat treatments.
What fat grafting is and why it’s used in plastic surgery today
Understanding what the procedure can and cannot do helps patients set realistic goals. It moves a person’s own tissue to add subtle, natural-looking volume and to improve skin and scar quality. Surgeons favor it when a lasting, biocompatible result is preferred over synthetic fillers.
Terminology clarified
Terms like fat transfer, autologous fat transfer, lipofilling, and fat injections all describe the same core approach: harvesting cells, preparing them, and re-injecting them to restore contour or softness.
Common cosmetic and reconstructive uses
Typical goals include softening wrinkles, restoring midface fullness, and smoothing contour irregularities. It also helps repair facial scars and can improve tissue damaged by radiation in breast reconstruction.
What it won’t do
This is not a weight-loss method. Liposuction is used only to obtain enough viable cells for transfer; it rarely creates dramatic slimming at the donor site.
- Why this matters: realistic expectations reduce the need for repeat procedures.
- Variable results: some transferred cells are reabsorbed, so surgeons plan accordingly.
- Learn more: details on facial uses are available at facial fat transfer.
| Use | Benefit | Typical Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Face (cheeks, under-eye) | Restores youthful fullness | Softens hollows and fine lines |
| Scar and radiated tissue | Improves tissue quality and pliability | Supports reconstruction and healing |
| Hands | Adds padding, reduces visible veins | Smooths wrinkles and contours |
| Donor-site note | Small change in contour only | Not a weight-loss treatment |
Who is a good candidate and when fat transfer may not be recommended
Diligent preoperative screening helps determine whether a patient will benefit from a volume transfer. A plastic surgeon evaluates health, expectations, and anatomy before approving a procedure.
Ideal candidate checklist
- Overall health: no uncontrolled medical issues and cleared for elective surgery.
- Stable weight: near their target weight for months to preserve long-term contour.
- Adequate donor sites: enough donor tissue for the planned correction without compromising appearance.
- Realistic goals: seeks subtle, natural-looking improvement rather than dramatic change.
- Non-smoker or willing to quit: nicotine cessation reduces complication risk.
Contraindications and cautions
Active infection at either the donor area or recipient site is a clear contraindication because it raises the chance of spread and graft loss.
Smoking and nicotine reduce blood flow and impair healing. This lowers graft survival and raises the risk of complications, so many plastic surgeons require stopping tobacco before surgery.
Chronic conditions such as diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, or clotting disorders can affect wound healing and graft take. Planned major weight loss also harms long-term results and is a reason to delay the procedure.
“Selecting an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon helps ensure technique and judgment optimize safety and outcomes.”
Patients with severe body image concerns may need counseling before moving forward, since multiple sessions are sometimes required to reach the final result.
Choosing treatment areas: where fat can be transferred for natural-looking volume
Surgeons select recipient areas by weighing anatomy, skin quality, and movement to match the correction needed. They decide whether the goal is volume restoration or subtle contour refinement.
Face and eyes
Common face targets include the cheeks and under-eye hollows. Small injections can restore midface fullness, soften lines, and smooth depressions from scars.
Breast augmentation and reconstruction
Transfers may improve breast symmetry, blend contour after lumpectomy, or support tissue harmed by radiation damage. Surgeons also discuss using tissue to camouflage implant edges or address rippling.
Buttocks and hips
Brazilian butt lift and hip shaping focus on waist-hip balance and projection rather than just increasing size. Placement and layering affect the final silhouette.
Hands and feet
Small-volume injections smooth wrinkles on the hands and add padding to bony feet for comfort and appearance.
“Each area has unique movement and blood supply, which affects how much volume is retained and whether additional sessions are needed.”
| Area | Primary Goal | Notes on retention |
|---|---|---|
| Face (cheeks, eye) | Restore youthful fullness | Moderate retention; may need touch-ups |
| Breast (augmentation, reconstruction) | Symmetry and contour; support radiation-damaged tissue | Higher volumes; staged approach often used |
| Buttocks / hips | Shape and projection (Brazilian butt lift) | Movement affects take; careful layering improves survival |
| Hands / feet | Smoothing, padding | Smaller volumes; frequent maintenance possible |
For specifics on delicate areas like the under-eye region, see this discussion on the under-eye dilemma: under-eye fat grafting dilemma.
How Fat grafting is performed from donor area to final injection
This section walks readers through the clinical steps that move harvested tissue from a donor site to the final injection. The method follows three clear stages so patients understand what happens during the procedure.
Step-by-step overview
1. Harvest: Surgeons use gentle liposuction to remove tissue from one area body, commonly the abdomen, hips, or thighs. The donor area supplies the needed cells and small cannulas help protect fat cells during extraction.
Processing the material
2. Process: Clean-up options include decanting, centrifugation, or washing to remove blood, excess fluid, free oil, and debris. Removing contaminants lowers inflammation and supports cell survival.
Reinjection technique
3. Reinjection: The team places tiny droplets in multiple tunnels so each droplet can access nearby blood and integrate. This pattern improves long-term retention and reduces complications.
Anesthesia and setting
Small-volume cases may use local anesthesia. Larger cases often require IV sedation or general anesthesia. A qualified plastic surgeon and trained anesthesia staff perform the work in accredited outpatient centers or hospitals.
Safety note: When fat grafting performed, sterile technique, experienced teams, and careful planning match the recipient site’s needs. For breast-specific planning, see this breast transfer.
Types of fat transfer techniques and how they affect results
Surgeons select particle size and processing to match the treatment goal. Macrofat provides bulk, microfat adds contour, and nanofat focuses on regeneration rather than volume.
Macrofat, microfat, and nanofat — a quick comparison
Macrofat (particles >2.4 mm) suits large-volume shaping for breast, buttocks, and hips.
Microfat (<1 mm) is used where precision matters, such as cheeks, under-eye areas, and hands.
Nanofat (<0.1 mm) is emulsified and rich in regenerative cells; it improves texture and scars but is not used for bulk.
Typical volumes by area
Understanding “cc” helps set expectations. Typical ranges are:
- Face: 10–100 cc total
- Breast: 25–400 cc per breast
- Hips: 100–300 cc per side
- Buttocks: 200–1,300+ cc per cheek
- Hands/feet: 5–10 cc per extremity
Large areas may need staged sessions to reach goals safely and predictably.
Regenerative effects and why results vary
Adipose-derived stem cells and supportive cells are abundant in preserved tissue and help improve skin quality, scarring, and pliability.
Reportedly, adipose tissue contains many more MSCs per volume than bone marrow, which explains the regenerative benefits in select cases.
Not all transferred tissue survives; retention depends on technique, droplet placement, and recipient-site blood supply.
| Technique | Primary use | Key benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Macrofat | Breast, buttocks | Large-volume restoration |
| Microfat | Face, hands | Precision contouring |
| Nanofat | Skin quality, scars | Regenerative improvement |
Practical takeaway: an experienced surgeon who matches particle size and placement to anatomy improves predictability and reduces the need for revision. For a deeper comparison of transfer methods, see the difference between transfer methods.
Recovery, healing time, and what results to expect
The path from early swelling to stable, lasting volume takes weeks to months and follows clear milestones. Early care reduces complications and helps transferred tissue establish a blood supply.
Aftercare basics
Avoid massage or pressure on the treated area for several weeks to limit migration. Ice compresses for 24–48 hours may cut inflammation.
Over-the-counter analgesics usually control discomfort. Attend the first follow-up at about one week so the plastic surgeon can check donor and recipient sites.
How long results last
Expect early bruising and swelling that improves over 6–8 weeks. Some reabsorption occurs; reports range roughly from 30%–70% in the first year, so final volume often takes about six months to appear.
When multiple sessions are needed
Smaller targets, such as lips, often need a single session but are less predictable because of high motion. Larger augmentation like breast or buttock shaping may require staged transfers to reach goals safely.
“Surgeons advise against revision within three months unless medically necessary.”
| Phase | Typical time | Common symptoms | Retention note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early | 0–2 weeks | Swelling, bruising, mild pain | Fluid shifts; no final volume |
| Intermediate | 6–8 weeks | Swelling reduces, contour refines | Partial reabsorption seen |
| Late | ~6 months | Stable contour, minimal tenderness | Final retention established |
| Revision timing | After 3 months | Assessed by surgeon | Staged sessions often planned for large areas |
For details on breast-specific planning and expected augmentation timelines, see breast fat transfer planning.
Conclusion
A clear summary helps patients decide if a transfer suits their goals and lifestyle.
The procedure moves a person’s own cells from a donor area—often using liposuction—to restore volume and improve contour. Planning accounts for partial resorption, so surgeons stage the process to match expectations.
Key benefits include biocompatibility and the ability to address volume loss, certain scars, and contour irregularities in one plan. Outcomes depend on donor supply, recipient area blood flow, and individual healing.
Anyone considering fat grafting should consult a board-certified plastic surgeon in an accredited setting. Those with implants or breast concerns must review imaging and long-term follow-up as part of care.
Next step: schedule a consultation to review candidacy, expected retention, recovery, and risks for your case.
