What Is Fat Transfer (Fat Grafting)?

A Beginner’s Guide to Natural Volume Enhancement

Introduction: Understanding Fat Transfer

Fat transfer—also called fat grafting or fat injections—is a popular way to restore and add volume to your face and body. Doctors collect fat from one area of your body, clean it, and move it to another. Many people choose this for a younger look or softer features. If you’re new to fat transfer, this guide will help you learn how it works, what to expect, and whether it may be right for you.

How Does Fat Transfer Work?

The process starts with surgery for fat removal from part of your body, like the belly or thighs. This is called “harvesting.” The fat gets processed. Then, your doctor injects it into places that need more volume. Fat injections are usually done in the office or surgery center. You might get fat transfer to the face, lips, under eyes, or even breasts.

Facial fat transfer can fill areas that look hollow or sunken. For example, fat grafting to the face helps plump cheeks, smooth smile lines, and refresh your appearance. Fat transfer to lips creates natural-looking fullness. Many patients also choose under eyes fat treatment or fat grafting under eyes to reduce dark circles and hollows.

Benefits of Fat Transfer vs. Fillers

You may wonder if fat injections are better than dermal fillers. Here’s why many people pick fat grafting:

• Fat is from your body. There’s less risk of reaction or allergy.

• Results last longer. Fillers often fade after months. Fat can last years.

• Fat feels soft and natural under your skin.

• Fat transfer is often invisible once you heal.

• It is minimally invasive compared to larger surgeries.

• People who had facial fat transfer after 5 years or breast fat transfer after 5 years often still see improvement.

Who Can Get Fat Grafting?

Most healthy adults can get this procedure. Good candidates have enough extra fat to donate. If you want to fix tired eyes, flat cheeks, thin lips, or hollowed areas, fat grafting in the face may help.

You may not be a good match if you are very thin. Also, if you have poor skin quality, some results may not last as long.

Always talk with a board-certified doctor about your goals and medical history. They will check how much fat you have and decide if you’re ready.

What Is Recovery Like?

Recovery from facial fat grafting or any surgery for fat is usually quick. You can go home the same day. There may be swelling and bruising for about 1–2 weeks. You should rest and avoid hard exercise for at least a week.

You might notice lumps or bumps in the area at first. These often settle with time. Some fat may not survive the move and can be reabsorbed. More than one procedure is sometimes needed to get your perfect look.

Problems are rare when an expert does the surgery. Sometimes, more swelling, infection, or unevenness can occur. These are treatable.

Longevity: How Long Does Fat Transfer Last?

Fat transfer is popular because results can last. How long your new volume sticks around depends on how much fat survives after the move. Studies show about 50–80% of transferred fat lasts, sometimes much longer.

For facial fat transfer after 5 years, patients often see lasting improvement but may need touch-ups. The under eyes, lips, cheeks, and breasts may all keep some extra volume for years. The less movement in the target area, the longer the results may last.

Types of Fat Grafting Procedures

• Fat grafting face: Doctors use fat transfer to fill sunken cheeks, smile lines, temples, and the chin.

• Fat injections in face: These help smooth lines and give a youthful look.

  Fat transfer to face cost varies by region and provider, but often runs from $3,000–$7,000 per area. Fat injection in face cost and facial fat grafting price can also change depending on the amount of fat moved.

  
  

• Fat transplant to face: This is just another way to describe the general technique.

• Fat transfer for under eyes: This reduces shadows and hollows below the eyes.

  Cost of under eye fat grafting ranges from $2,000–$5,000. Fat grafting under eyes cost or fat grafting under eyes price depends on your city and the doctor’s experience.

  
  

• Fat grafting lips or fat transfer to lips: This delivers plumper, natural lips.

• Fat augmentation face: Some people want overall facial fullness.

• Fat transfer augmentation cost depends on the area, amount of fat, and if you combine with other surgeries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fat Transfer Safe?

Fat transfer is safe in trained hands. Complications are rare. Your doctor will explain risks such as infection, swelling, unevenness, or mild loss of fat over time. Picking a skilled provider is key to success and safety.

What Should You Ask Your Doctor?

• How many fat grafting procedures have you done?

• Can I see before-and-after photos?

• What kind of results can I expect for my face or under eyes?

• How much fat will you transfer and where will you get it from?

• What will the total cost be?

• How long will swelling or bruising last?

Conclusion: Is Fat Grafting Right for You?

Fat grafting is a proven, natural way to restore volume and youth to your face or body. It lasts longer than fillers and can look and feel more real. With a skilled doctor and the right care, you can get fuller cheeks, softer eyes, plumper lips, or a better body shape.