Fat transfer, also known as fat grafting, is a well-established procedure that has been performed successfully for many years.

Using your body’s own fat, the procedure restores volume and enhances areas that have lost fullness or would benefit from improved shape and proportion. Because it uses your own tissue, fat transfer can achieve natural-looking results while also contouring the area where the fat is removed.

Fat Grafting With Dr Filipe

What is Fat Transfer (Fat Grafting)?

Fat grafting is the transfer of fat from one area of the body to another.

The procedure removes excess fat from an area where it is unwanted and transfers it to an area that would benefit from additional volume or improved contour, such as the face, breasts, or buttocks.

Like any surgical procedure, fat grafting carries potential risks. During your consultation, Dr Filipe will assess whether it is the most appropriate option based on your anatomy, goals, and overall health.

Where Can Fat Grafting Be Used?

Facial Fat Transfer

Fat transfer is an effective way to restore lost facial volume and improve balance between facial features.

Small amounts of fat are carefully injected into areas such as the cheeks, lower eyelids, or other areas that have lost volume through the natural ageing process.

Why Not Use Dermal Fillers?

Fat transfer offers several advantages over dermal fillers:

• Because your own fat is used, the risk of an allergic reaction is significantly reduced.
• Results look and feel natural.
• The results are generally longer lasting than dermal fillers.

While fat transfer is often more expensive than dermal fillers, many patients appreciate its long-term benefits.

Breast Enlargement

Larger volumes of fat are required for breast enhancement. In some cases, a tissue expansion system may be recommended beforehand to create sufficient space for the transferred fat.

Fat grafting can also be combined with breast implants to soften their appearance and improve the overall contour.

This approach with breast augmentation  is generally best suited to women looking for a modest increase in breast size.

Buttock Enhancement

Fat transfer is also used to enhance the shape and volume of the buttocks through a procedure commonly known as a Brazilian Buttock Lift (BBL).

Fat Grafting With Dr Filipe

The Three Stages of the Fat Transfer Procedure

Following your consultation with Dr Filipe, a personalised surgical plan will be developed based on your anatomy and the result you hope to achieve.

1. Fat removal

Liposuction is used to remove the unwanted fat from selected areas to gather viable fat cells for the area to be improved.

Liposuction requires small incisions to be made to the area where the fat is to be removed. A thin tube is inserted into the incision, and the fat cells are sucked out, and the small incision is closed.

The fat is spun to separate the fat cells from other fluids, washed and purified so that it can be injected into the selected areas for improvement.

2. Fat injection

The viable fat cells are injected in small amounts into the areas identified for improvement. This procedure most often does not require any suturing but depends on the volume of fat and area being injected.

Depending on the volume of fat being grafted or transferred, the procedure can be completed in a couple of hours with little discomfort. In the event of a large amount of fat being transferred, you may require more than one procedure.

The full effect of fat transfer surgery can take as long as 4 to 6 months to show the final effect. The reason for this being that swelling will go down, and a certain amount of the injected fat will be absorbed by your body. 

3. Recovery

In most cases, no overnight hospital stay is required. We do recommend that you arrange with someone to drive you home after you have recovered. 

Depending on the treatment area, taking a short period away from work is often recommended to allow your body time to heal.

What to Expect During Recovery

Recovery varies from patient to patient, but some bruising, swelling, and discomfort should be expected.

• Bruising: You will experience bruising in the affected areas for a few weeks.
• Swelling: Swelling will fluctuate as your body recovers.
• Pain: The part of the body that the fat was harvested from could be painful for a few weeks.

Small scars are left where liposuction was performed, although every effort is made to place these incisions in discreet locations. During your consultation, Dr. Padilha will also discuss your individual tendency to scar and the treatments available to help optimise healing.

Is Fat Transfer Right for You?

Fat transfer is a versatile procedure that can restore volume, improve body proportions, and enhance natural contours using your own tissue.

If you’re considering fat grafting for the face, breasts, or buttocks, the first step is a consultation. Dr Filipe will assess your anatomy, discuss your goals, and recommend the approach best suited to achieving a natural-looking result.

Contact Dr Filipe Today