Fat Transfer
Fat transfer is more than replacing lost volume. Understanding the underlying cause of volume loss or contour change is the first step in selecting the treatment most appropriate for each patient.
Introduction
Fat transfer (also known as fat grafting) is a surgical technique that uses a patient's own fat to restore volume, improve contour, and enhance soft tissue quality. It can be used across a wide range of applications, including the breast, face, and body, either as a stand-alone procedure or in combination with other surgery.
Fat transfer is commonly used in cosmetic surgery to improve shape and contour, and in reconstructive surgery to correct volume loss, asymmetry, or tissue damage following cancer treatment or congenital conditions.
THE PROCEDURE
Fat transfer involves three key steps:
- Harvesting fat from an area of excess (such as the abdomen, flanks, or thighs)
- Processing the fat to isolate healthy fat cells and associated cellular components
- Meticulous reinjection of the fat into the target area
Fat transfer is performed using gentle harvesting techniques and careful processing of the transferred tissue to maximise the viability of healthy fat cells before reinjection. The transferred tissue contains fat cells together with naturally occurring fat-derived regenerative cells and other cellular components that may contribute to improvements in tissue quality as well as volume.
Transferred fat cells must establish an adequate blood supply in order to survive. For this reason, fat is reinjected in very small aliquots and placed precisely within healthy tissue. Fat transfer relies on careful structural placement rather than large-volume injection.
Fat transfer is performed under general anaesthetic at Hunter Valley Private Hospital or Newcastle Private Hospital, depending on the procedure being performed.
THE PROCESS
Consultation focuses on understanding the goals of treatment, assessing donor fat availability, and determining whether fat transfer is appropriate for the area being treated.
Fat transfer can be used for:
- Subtle to moderate volume enhancement
- Contour refinement
- Correction of asymmetry
- Improvement of soft tissue quality
Not every patient is an ideal candidate for fat transfer. Treatment depends on the availability of suitable donor fat, the characteristics of the recipient site, and whether fat transfer is likely to achieve the desired outcome.
It is important to understand that fat transfer cannot create volume where there is not already an adequate amount of healthy tissue to inject into. Rather, it augments and enhances existing structures. In some situations, multiple treatments may be required to achieve the desired outcome.
Fat Survival and Longevity
Not all of the injected fat will survive. Some early reduction in volume is expected due to:
- Normal post-operative swelling resolving
- Natural resorption of a proportion of the transferred fat
Published studies and clinical experience suggest that approximately 70–80% of transferred fat typically persists long term, although this varies between patients and cannot be guaranteed.
Final results are assessed over three to six months.
Common Applications
Common applications for fat transfer procedures
Breast
Fat transfer is frequently used in breast surgery, including:
- Cosmetic breast shaping and contour refinement
- Correction of breast asymmetry
- Adjunctive enhancement with breast implants
- Breast reconstruction following cancer
- Improvement of tissue quality following radiation therapy
Emerging evidence suggests fat transfer may improve the quality, softness, and flexibility of irradiated breast tissue in appropriately selected patients.
Face
Fat transfer may be used to restore facial volume, soften contours, and improve tissue quality in selected patients. In some reconstructive cases, it may be used to correct congenital or acquired contour abnormalities.
Body
Fat transfer can be used to correct contour irregularities or volume deficiencies following weight loss, trauma, or previous surgery.
THE RECOVERY
Recovery depends on the extent of fat transfer performed and the areas treated.
Most patients:
- Return to normal daily activities within one to two weeks
- Experience swelling and bruising at both donor and recipient sites
- Wear compression garments at donor sites for four to six weeks where appropriate
- See transferred fat continue to settle over three to six months
Harvest sites are small, with scars continuing to mature over 12–18 months.
Patients receive routine follow-up appointments, scheduled LED light therapy where appropriate, scar care products, and ongoing nursing support throughout recovery.
Treatment Risks
All surgery carries risk. Risks specific to fat transfer may include:
- Bleeding or infection
- Bruising or swelling
- Contour irregularity
- Residual asymmetry
- Partial fat resorption
- Oil cysts or fat necrosis
- Need for further treatment
- Dissatisfaction with the cosmetic outcome
These risks are discussed in detail during consultation. Further information is available on our dedicated Treatment Risks page.
Pricing
Fat transfer pricing depends on the area being treated, the volume required, and whether the procedure is performed as a stand-alone operation or in combination with other surgery.
Pricing is provided as an all-inclusive estimate incorporating surgeon, anaesthetist, hospital admission where applicable, compression garments, routine follow-up appointments, LED light therapy where appropriate, scar care products, and ongoing nursing support.
Reconstructive Fat Transfer
In selected reconstructive situations, such as breast reconstruction following cancer treatment, correction of developmental breast conditions, or selected congenital facial conditions, Medicare item numbers may apply and private health insurance may contribute to costs.
Eligibility is assessed during consultation.
Cosmetic Fat Transfer
Fat transfer is most commonly performed as an adjunct to other cosmetic procedures.
As a guide:
- Fat transfer performed in conjunction with cosmetic breast or facial surgery: approximately $3,000–5,000
A personalised written quotation is provided following consultation. Medicare eligibility is assessed where appropriate, and all treatment options and associated costs will be discussed before proceeding.
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