Fat Transfer for Face and Body: How It Works and What to Expect?
When it comes to achieving natural-looking rejuvenation and enhanced body contours, fat transfer (also known as fat grafting) has become one of the most popular cosmetic procedures today.
Fat transfer offers a dual benefit: it removes unwanted fat from one area of the body and uses it to restore volume, shape, and youthful contours to another.
Whether you want to smooth facial lines, enhance your curves, or refine your silhouette, fat transfer for face and body delivers long-lasting, natural results using your own tissue — with no implants or synthetic fillers involved.
Inthis blog, we’ll explain how does fat transfer works, its benefits for body contouring, and what you can expect before, during, and after the procedure.
What is Fat Transfer?
Fat transfer, also known as grafting, is a cosmetic procedure that uses your own body fat to restore volume, enhance contours, and rejuvenate areas that have lost fullness over time.
Instead of using synthetic fillers or implants, this natural approach involves extracting fat from one area, such as the abdomen, thighs, or flanks and transferring it to another area that requires enhancement.
How Does Fat Transfer Work?
The fat transfer process is designed to sculpt and enhance your body using your own natural tissue.
It is typically performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on the treated areas, and involves three key stages:
1. Fat harvesting (Liposuction)
The procedure begins with harvesting fat from areas with excess deposits, like the abdomen, thighs, hips, or flanks. Using gentle liposuction techniques, the surgeon removes fat through tiny incisions to minimize trauma and preserve the integrity of the fat cells.
2. Fat purification and processing
Once the fat is collected, it goes through a purification process to separate healthy fat cells from blood, oil, and other fluids. This step ensures that only the highest-quality fat cells are re-injected, improving the chances of long-term survival and smooth results.
3. Fat injection (Grafting)
The purified fat is carefully injected into the target areas using fine cannulas. The surgeon carefully places small amounts of fat in multiple layers to achieve even distribution, natural contour, and lasting integration with the surrounding tissues.
In essence, fat transfer works by repurposing your body’s natural resources, slimming one area while adding youthful fullness and shape to another, resulting in completely natural-looking and feeling outcomes.
Fat Transfer for Facial Rejuvenation and Body Contouring
Fat transfer is a versatile cosmetic treatment that can be used to enhance both the face and body, offering natural-looking results that improve balance, shape, and overall harmony.
Fat transfer for facial rejuvenation
- Cheeks: Lifts and adds fullness, creating a youthful contour.
- Under-eye hollows: Reduces dark circles and tired appearance.
- Nasolabial folds and marionette lines: Helps soften deep wrinkles and folds.
- Lips: Enhances shape and plumpness naturally.
- Jawline and temples: Refines facial symmetry and definition.
Fat transfer for body contouring
- Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL): Adds volume and lift to the buttocks for a fuller, curvier appearance.
- Breast augmentation: Provides a modest, natural enhancement without implants.
- Hip and thigh shaping: Improves curves and proportion between the waist and legs.
- Hand rejuvenation: Restores volume and smoothness for a youthful look.
What are the Benefits of Fat Transfer?
- Natural-looking results: Uses your own fat for smooth, harmonious enhancement.
- Dual benefit: Removes unwanted fat from donor areas while adding volume where needed.
- Long-lasting effects: Transferred fat can survive permanently, unlike temporary fillers.
- Minimized risk of allergic reactions: Using your own tissue ensures excellent compatibility.
- Versatile application: Can be used on the face, breasts, buttocks, hands, and other areas for rejuvenation or contouring.
What to Expect: Before, During, and After the Procedure?
Undergoing a fat transfer procedure is a transformative experience that combines body sculpting with natural enhancement. Understanding what happens before, during, and after the treatment helps you prepare for a smooth journey and optimal results.
Before the procedure
Your journey begins with a detailed consultation with a qualified cosmetic surgeon. During this session, your goals, medical history, and target areas will be discussed to create a personalized treatment plan.
The surgeon will evaluate potential donor sites (such as the abdomen, thighs, or flanks) and determine where the fat will be transferred (face, breasts, or buttocks).
You may be advised to:
- Avoid smoking and alcohol, as they can affect healing and fat survival.
- Discontinue taking blood-thinning medications or supplements at least 5 days before the procedure.
- Maintain a healthy diet and stay hydrated.
- Arrange for someone to accompany you home after the treatment.
This preparation ensures your body is in the best condition for the procedure and recovery.
During the procedure
The fat transfer process is generally performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on the size and number of the areas treated.
The procedure includes three key stages:
- Fat extraction: The surgeon performs gentle liposuction from areas with unwanted fat (like the abdomen, thighs, or flanks).
- Purification: The harvested fat is then purified and processed to isolate healthy fat cells suitable for transfer.
- Injection: Finally, the purified fat is carefully injected into the targeted areas using fine cannulas. The surgeon places small amounts of fat in multiple layers to ensure smooth, natural-looking results.
Depending on the number of areas treated, the procedure can take one to several hours.
After the procedure
You can usually go home the same day, though rest is essential for the first few days. Mild swelling, bruising, and discomfort are common and subside gradually over one to two weeks.
Recovery and results:
- Wear compression garments (for body procedures) to support healing and shape.
- Avoid any strenuous exercise for at least 2–3 weeks.
- Follow your surgeon’s aftercare instructions carefully to ensure the best fat survival rate.
- Results of the fat transfer start to appear after a few weeks and continue to improve as swelling reduces and the transferred fat settles.
How Long do the Fat Transfer Results Last?
The fat transfer results can be long-lasting, often providing a permanent enhancement when performed correctly. Once the transferred fat integrates and develops a blood supply in the new area, it becomes a stable part of your body.
However, it’s normal for the body to absorb a small portion of the transferred fat over the first few months. Typically, 60–80% of the fat survives, and the remaining volume becomes permanent.
Possible Risks of Fat Transfer
While fat transfer is generally safe, it’s important to understand the potential risks and considerations:
- Swelling and bruising: Usually temporary and typically resolve within a few weeks.
- Fat absorption: Some of the fat that is transferred may be naturally reabsorbed by the body, requiring touch-ups.
- Infection: Rare, but possible if proper hygiene and aftercare are not followed.
- Uneven results: Over- or under-correction can occur if fat placement is uneven.
- Numbness or discomfort: Temporary sensations in donor or recipient areas are common.
Transform your look with expert fat transfer at Amwaj Polyclinic
Fat transfer provides a natural, safe, and effective method for restoring youthful facial volume, enhancing body contours, and achieving harmonious, long-lasting results.
With 20,000+ successful, satisfied, and loyal patients, Amwaj Polyclinic is recognized as a leading aesthetic and medical polyclinic in JBR, offering expert care and advanced cosmetic solutions. At Amwaj Polyclinic, you don’t just undergo a procedure; you embark on a transformative journey designed to enhance your confidence, beauty, and overall well-being.
FAQs
Breast augmentation through fat transfer is a natural alternative to implants. Fat is harvested from your own body and injected into the breasts to enhance size, improve symmetry, and achieve subtle, natural-looking fullness without using synthetic materials.
Fat transfer is generally safe since it utilises your own tissue, thereby minimising the risk of allergic reactions or rejection. Minor swelling, bruising, or temporary discomfort may occur, but serious complications are rare.
Results are long-lasting. While some transferred fat may be absorbed initially, the surviving fat becomes permanent. With proper care, results of fat transfer can last for many years, offering natural, youthful contours for both face and body.
Good candidates are generally healthy adults with sufficient fat in donor areas, realistic expectations, and a desire for natural-looking enhancement in the face, breasts, or body contours.
About Us
If you’re looking for a polyclinic offering patient-centred medical and aesthetic services for the whole family, look no further than Amwaj Polyclinic, where we combine the medical practices with a friendly and caring environment.
Recent Blogs
