The Florida Society of Plastic Surgeons
Fat transfer—also called fat grafting—is a versatile surgical technique that removes fat from one area of the body and injects it into another to enhance volume, contour, and tissue quality. FSPS surgeons across Florida are trained in advanced fat grafting techniques to provide safe, natural-looking results using your own tissue.
Pat Pazmiño, MD, FACS and Andrew H. Rosenthal, MD, FACS
Fat transfer is a surgical procedure in which fat is removed from one part of the body—typically the abdomen or flanks—using liposuction. The harvested fat is then minimally processed and carefully injected into another area where volume is needed. The goal is to improve shape, fullness, and tissue quality using your own natural fat.
This is all performed through very small incisions—often so tiny they don’t even require stitches to close.
You may be a good candidate for fat transfer if you:
Your FSPS surgeon will evaluate your anatomy and goals to determine the best donor and recipient sites for fat transfer. Your FSPS surgeon will also assess your skin to make sure your donor site looks smooth and natural after the fat has been removed.
Fat is removed from the donor site using liposuction. It is then cleaned and prepared before being precisely injected into the desired area. The size of the fat particles may be adjusted—larger particles for bulk volume, smaller ‘microfat’ or ‘nanofat’ for fine contouring and skin quality.
Most patients experience bruising, swelling, and mild discomfort at both donor and recipient sites. Recovery varies by treatment area, but most patients return to light activity within a few days.
Some of the transferred fat will naturally be reabsorbed by the body, so surgeons often overfill slightly to account for this. Surviving fat cells establish a blood supply and remain in place permanently. Final results are typically seen after a few months and can last for many years. Sometimes fat transfer needs to be done more than once.
Fat transfer is generally safe, but like any procedure, it carries risks. These may include asymmetry, fat absorption, oil cysts, infection, or contour irregularities. In rare cases—particularly with BBLs—fat embolism is a serious risk. FSPS surgeons have successfully advocated for and passed key safety legislation, significantly improving patient safety during BBL procedures in Florida. FSPS surgeons bring this commitment to patient safety to fat transfer and all of the other procedures they perform.
Choosing an experienced FSPS surgeon is critical to ensuring a safe and effective outcome.
A common question is whether someone else can donate fat. The answer is only if the donor and recipient are identical twins. Identical twins have the same genetic makeup. The rest of us have strong immune systems that would reject fat or tissue from any one else.
Yes. It’s commonly combined with facelifts, breast augmentation, tummy tucks, and other body contouring procedures.
That depends on the area being treated. Facial fat grafting may require only a few teaspoons, while BBLs require significantly more.
Yes—once the fat establishes blood supply, it becomes a lasting part of your body. However, weight changes and aging can affect long-term appearance.
What Should I Do Next?
Schedule a consultation with a board-certified FSPS member plastic surgeon to explore how fat transfer can enhance your appearance using your own natural tissue.