Procedure Time
1–3 hours
Anesthesia
Local, IV sedation, or general
Recovery
1–2 weeks (minor); varies by site
Results
Long-lasting once established
What Is Fat Grafting?
Fat grafting — also called fat transfer or lipofilling — is a procedure that harvests fat from one area of the body and injects it into another to add volume, smooth contours, or rejuvenate aged tissue. Because the transferred material is your own fat, the results look and feel entirely natural.
Fat grafting is extraordinarily versatile. It can restore facial volume lost to aging, enhance the breasts or buttocks naturally, improve the appearance of scars, and complement nearly any surgical or non-surgical treatment plan.
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Ideal Candidates
- You want to restore volume to the face, hands, breasts, or buttocks using a natural solution
- You have stubborn fat in donor areas (abdomen, flanks, thighs) that can be harvested
- You prefer to avoid synthetic fillers or implants
- You are at a stable weight with no planned significant weight changes
- You are in good health and a non-smoker
The Process
Donor Site Liposuction
Fat is gently harvested from a designated donor area using minimally invasive liposuction. Common donor sites include the abdomen and flanks.
Fat Processing
Harvested fat is centrifuged or processed to isolate the highest-quality fat cells and remove impurities, blood, and oils.
Recipient Site Preparation
The target area is prepared with small injection ports. Dr. Frew maps the injection sites to ensure even, natural distribution.
Precise Fat Injection
Fat is injected in micro-aliquots across multiple planes to maximize graft survival and create a smooth, natural contour. Overfilling slightly accounts for the expected reabsorption rate.
Recovery
Return to Activity
1–3 weeks
Final Results
3–6 months
- Both the donor and recipient sites will have some swelling and bruising
- Compression is applied to the donor site for 2–4 weeks
- Avoid pressure on injected areas during early healing
- 20–40% of transferred fat is typically reabsorbed in the first 3–6 months
- Once established, surviving fat behaves like native tissue and is generally long-lasting
Frequently Asked Questions
Considering this procedure?
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