Fat grafting, also called fat transfer, uses a patient’s own fat to improve selected contour, volume or soft-tissue quality concerns. Fat is usually harvested with liposuction, processed and placed into the target area in small amounts.
Fat grafting may be used in aesthetic surgery, reconstructive surgery or revision surgery. It is not a fully predictable volume replacement method because some transferred fat may not survive.
The plan depends on donor-site availability, tissue quality, the recipient area, previous surgery or radiotherapy and realistic goals.
This page provides general information and should not replace consultation with a qualified medical practitioner. Suitability, risks, recovery and outcomes vary between individuals.
Where fat grafting may be used
Fat grafting can be considered for selected contour or soft-tissue concerns.
- facial volume restoration or contour refinement
- breast contour refinement in selected aesthetic or reconstructive cases
- softening selected contour irregularities after surgery or trauma
- scar or radiotherapy-related tissue quality concerns in selected cases
- small-volume body contour refinement
Assessment and planning
Consultation includes assessment of both donor and recipient areas. The surgeon considers how much fat can safely be harvested, how much is needed, tissue quality, scars, circulation and whether staged treatment may be required.
Patients should understand that fat grafting is biological. Fat survival varies and overfilling or aggressive placement can increase complications.
How fat grafting is performed
Fat is harvested using liposuction through small incisions. It is then prepared and injected carefully into the target area in small parcels to encourage blood supply from surrounding tissues.
The approach differs depending on whether the goal is facial contouring, breast refinement, scar softening or reconstruction.
Recovery after fat grafting
Recovery involves both donor and recipient sites. Bruising, swelling, tenderness, numbness and firmness can occur. Compression may be used for donor areas, depending on the plan.
Some early volume is swelling and some transferred fat may resorb. Final assessment takes time and staged procedures may be discussed for selected patients.
Risks and limitations
Risks include bleeding, infection, fat necrosis, oil cysts, calcification, contour irregularity, asymmetry, undercorrection, overcorrection, scarring, donor-site contour issues and need for further procedures. Fat grafting cannot guarantee a specific volume or long-term result.
FAQs
Does all transferred fat survive?
No. Some fat may be reabsorbed. Survival varies depending on technique, tissue quality, recipient blood supply and individual healing.
Can fat grafting replace implants?
Sometimes fat grafting can provide modest volume or contour refinement, but it usually cannot match the predictable large-volume change of an implant.
Is fat grafting permanent?
Fat that survives may persist, but volume can change with weight change, ageing and individual biology. Results vary between individuals.
Related pages
Enquire about assessment
If you would like to discuss whether this procedure or treatment area is relevant to your situation, please submit an enquiry. A formal consultation is needed before any personalised advice can be given.