The Fat Grafting Process: What You Need to Know
Fat grafting, also called fat transfer, is a natural way to add volume and enhance natural contours. At Pearl Plastic Surgery, Dr. Chris Nichols specializes in this technique to give patients a long-lasting, natural-looking option in lieu of fillers or implants. If you're thinking about fat grafting, here’s what you should know about the procedure, treatment areas, and what to expect during recovery.
What Is Fat Grafting and How Does It Work?
Fat grafting is a surgical procedure that takes fat from one area, purifies it, and injects it where more volume or contouring is wanted. This process removes unwanted fat from donor areas like the abdomen, thighs, or flanks while restoring fullness to the face, hands, breasts, or other areas. Since it uses your body’s own tissue, there’s no risk of allergic reactions or rejection.
Dr. Nichols takes a careful approach to fat grafting, ensuring only the healthiest, most viable fat cells are used. This process helps maximize fat retention and creates long-lasting results.
Common Areas for Fat Grafting
At Pearl Plastic Surgery, fat grafting is often used to enhance and rejuvenate these areas:
Face: As we age, facial fat loss can create a hollowed look. Fat grafting restores volume to the cheeks, temples, under-eye area, and nasolabial folds for a younger, refreshed appearance.
Breasts: Fat grafting is a natural option for subtle breast enhancement or correcting asymmetry. It provides a soft, natural feel and is ideal for patients looking for a modest increase in volume without implants.
Hands: The hands show signs of aging early due to fat loss and thinning skin. Fat grafting restores volume, creating a smoother, more youthful look.
UGRAFT: The UGRAFT is a specialized fat transfer technique designed to enhance the definition of abdominal muscles (six pack) for a more sculpted, athletic appearance.
Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL): The BBL is designed for those who want a more dramatic transformation, using fat transfer to create a fuller, rounder shape while maintaining natural proportions.
How Fat Grafting Compares to Synthetic Fillers
Many patients ask whether fat grafting or synthetic fillers are the better choice. Here’s how they compare:
Longevity: Fat grafting provides lasting results, with many patients keeping 50–70% of the transferred fat permanently. Synthetic fillers typically last 6–18 months and need regular maintenance.
Natural Look and Feel: Since fat grafting uses your own tissue, the results look and feel more natural than synthetic fillers, which can sometimes feel firmer or shift over time.
Volume Potential: Fat grafting allows for more volume enhancement than fillers, making it a great choice for those who want a more noticeable yet natural improvement.
Procedure Type: Fillers are a quick, non-surgical option with little to no downtime, while fat grafting is a short surgical procedure that requires recovery.
Dr. Nichols will help determine the best option based on your goals and the areas you want to enhance.
Recovery Process and Expected Results
Recovery depends on the treatment area and the amount of fat transferred. Here’s what to expect:
Swelling and Bruising: Mild to moderate swelling and bruising at the donor and treatment sites is normal and should improve within 1–2 weeks.
Activity Restrictions: Most patients can return to light activities within a few days but should avoid strenuous exercise for 6 weeks to help the fat settle properly.
Fat Retention: Not all transferred fat will stay, so some volume loss is expected in the first few months. Dr. Nichols slightly overfills the area to account for this natural process.
Multiple Treatments May Be Needed: Depending on your goals and how your body retains the fat, more than one grafting session may be recommended to achieve the desired volume and contour.
Final Results: Full results appear within 3–6 months as swelling fades and the transferred fat settles.
For patients who may want or need additional procedures in the future, fat banking is available. This process stores extra harvested fat in a cryogenic facility, making future grafting sessions easier without the need for another round of liposuction.
At Pearl Plastic Surgery, we focus on patient education and natural, elegant results. If you're considering fat grafting, speak with a Patient Care Coordinator to learn more by calling 360-878-9300.
