Fat Transfer in Delafield
Your own fat, smoothing a stubborn contour.
Fat transfer (autologous fat grafting) is a surgical procedure that relocates a patient's own fat from one area of the body to another to restore or add volume and improve contour. Fat is harvested via liposuction from donor sites such as the abdomen, flanks, or thighs, processed to isolate viable fat cells, and reinjected in small amounts into the recipient site. Applied to the body, it is used to soften contour irregularities, address hip dips, augment the buttocks, and correct soft-tissue or scar depressions. Because grafted fat depends on establishing a new blood supply, a portion is naturally reabsorbed and the final volume is typically lower than the volume injected.
At a Glance
- Fat transfer uses the patient's own fat, harvested by liposuction and processed before reinjection, so it avoids the use of synthetic fillers or implants[1]
- A portion of transferred fat is naturally reabsorbed by the body in the months following the procedure, so the final result reflects only the fat cells that successfully establish a blood supply[2]
- Graft survival depends on placing fat in small amounts across multiple tissue planes to maximize contact with well-vascularized recipient tissue[2]
- Allograft adipose matrix is an emerging off-the-shelf adjunct studied as an alternative or supplement to autologous fat for soft-tissue volume restoration[3]
Overview
Fat transfer, also called autologous fat grafting or lipofilling, removes fat by liposuction from an area where it is abundant and places it where more volume or a smoother contour is wanted. It addresses two areas in one procedure: the liposuction refines the donor site, while the harvested fat adds volume at the recipient site. Because the graft is the patient’s own living tissue rather than a synthetic material, it integrates naturally and avoids implant-related complications.
For the body, fat transfer may fill hip dips, augment or reshape the buttocks and gluteal region, or correct depressed scars, post-surgical irregularities and other areas of soft-tissue loss. The amount of correction depends on how much donor fat is available, the characteristics of the recipient site and how much of the graft survives.
Transferred fat cells need to establish a new blood supply. A portion is naturally reabsorbed during the first several months, so the volume seen immediately after surgery is greater than the final settled volume. More than one session is sometimes used to build the desired correction.
Allograft adipose matrix, marketed as AlloClae, is processed donor-derived tissue supplied off the shelf for soft-tissue volume restoration. Dr. Boehm raises it at consultation when the available donor fat will not provide the volume being discussed. It may supplement a fat graft, but it does not replace the patient’s own fat.
Body fat transfer, fat transfer breast augmentation and facial fat grafting are listed as three separate procedures on separate pages. The volumes, staging and proportion of fat that survives differ by site, so each procedure is planned for the area being treated.
What to expect
- Initial consultation to discuss goals, assess the recipient area, evaluate donor site availability, and develop a surgical plan
- Pre-operative evaluation including medical history review, examination, and photographs
- Assessment of donor sites to confirm sufficient fat is available for harvesting
- Administration of anesthesia (general anesthesia or intravenous sedation with local anesthesia)
- Liposuction of the donor site to harvest fat using a gentle aspiration technique
- Processing of the harvested fat by centrifugation, filtration, or decanting to isolate viable fat cells
- Reinjection of the purified fat into the recipient site in small amounts across multiple planes using blunt-tipped cannulas
- Assessment of contour and symmetry during the procedure with adjustments as needed
- Application of dressings to the donor and recipient sites and fitting of a compression garment
- Post-operative instructions on activity restrictions, compression garment use, positioning, and follow-up
How a fat transfer works
- Fat is harvested by liposuction, commonly from the abdomen, flanks, thighs or back. A gentle, low-pressure aspiration technique is typically used to preserve the viability of the fat cells during removal.
- The harvested material is processed to separate intact fat cells from blood, fluid, oil and damaged tissue. Processing may involve centrifugation, filtration or decanting, with the method selected according to the surgeon’s protocol.
- The purified fat is reinjected through blunt-tipped cannulas in small amounts, using multiple passes across several tissue planes. These small parcels have more contact with the surrounding blood supply, which supports graft survival.
- Fat cells that successfully establish a blood supply generally remain permanently. The body reabsorbs a portion of the transferred fat during the first several months, and the settled contour becomes apparent once that phase stabilizes.
- When the available donor fat falls short of the volume needed at the recipient site, Dr. Boehm names two options: a staged second fat-grafting session or allograft adipose matrix, marketed as AlloClae, as an adjunct. AlloClae is an emerging donor-derived material that supplements a graft rather than replacing the patient’s own fat.
When it's recommended
- Desire to fill hip dips or smooth contour along the outer hip and thigh
- Augmentation or reshaping of the buttocks and gluteal region
- Correction of depressed scars or soft-tissue contour irregularities
- Restoration of volume lost to aging, weight change, or prior surgery
- Refinement of contour deficits following liposuction or other body procedures
- Preference for the patient's own tissue over synthetic fillers or implants
- Availability of sufficient donor fat for harvesting
Is a fat transfer right for you?
Reach out to learn more from Dr. Lucas Boehm.
Concerns it addresses
Recovery & aftercare
- The procedure is often performed on an outpatient basis, with patients returning home the same day
- Swelling and bruising at both the donor and recipient sites are common and typically resolve within 2 to 4 weeks
- A compression garment is generally worn over the donor site for several weeks to reduce swelling and support healing
- For gluteal fat grafting, prolonged direct sitting or lying on the treated area is typically restricted for several weeks to protect the grafted fat
- Most patients can return to non-strenuous work within 1 to 2 weeks
- Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting are typically restricted for 4 to 6 weeks
- Final volume and contour become apparent approximately 3 to 6 months after the procedure, once the reabsorption phase stabilizes
Alternatives
- Dermal or soft-tissue fillers for non-surgical volume correction
- Implant-based augmentation for larger or more predictable volume increases
- Scar revision techniques for contour deficits caused by scarring
- Allograft adipose matrix as an emerging off-the-shelf adjunct for soft-tissue volume
Related treatments
How much does a fat transfer cost?
A fat transfer at Consona with Dr. Boehm costs around $11,500. The exact amount depends on your unique goals and treatment needs. Schedule a consultation today to learn more and receive a personalized quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Fat transfer, also called autologous fat grafting, moves your own fat from one part of the body to another. Fat is removed by liposuction, purified and reinjected to restore volume or smooth contour in areas such as the hips, buttocks or depressed scars.
- The procedure is performed under anesthesia, so patients do not feel pain during surgery. Soreness, swelling and bruising are common afterward at both the liposuction donor site and the treated area, particularly during the first several days. Discomfort is typically managed with prescribed medication.
- Fat cells that establish a blood supply at the recipient site can remain permanently. The body reabsorbs a portion during the first few months, so the final result settles around 3 to 6 months after the procedure. Transferred fat behaves like fat elsewhere in the body, and significant weight changes can affect it.
- Only fat cells that successfully establish a new blood supply survive long term. The proportion varies widely with the technique, recipient area and individual factors. This is why the volume immediately after the procedure is larger than the settled result and why more than one session is sometimes needed.
- Body fat transfer commonly fills hip dips, augments or reshapes the buttocks and gluteal area, and corrects localized contour deficits such as depressed scars or soft-tissue irregularities. The approach depends on the area being treated and the amount of donor fat available.
- People with insufficient fat for harvesting, an active infection, an untreated bleeding disorder or unrealistic expectations about the volume that can be achieved may not be candidates. Smoking can impair graft survival and healing. A thorough consultation determines whether fat transfer is appropriate.
- AlloClae is a brand of allograft adipose matrix, meaning processed tissue taken from a donor rather than from you. It is supplied off the shelf and used to add soft-tissue volume. Dr. Boehm raises it when there is not enough of your own fat to reach the correction being discussed. It is not an equivalent substitute for autologous fat, and it is considered an adjunct to a graft rather than a replacement for one.
- No. The underlying technique behaves differently depending on where the fat is placed. The proportion that survives at the buttock differs from the proportion that survives in a cheek, the number of sessions may differ, and the result is judged differently. A body graft is assessed by contour, while a facial graft is assessed by light and shadow. Body fat transfer, fat transfer breast augmentation and facial fat grafting are therefore listed and planned as three separate procedures on separate pages. They are not quoted as one operation applied to different areas. A plan involving two territories arrives with two figures and two consents. For all three procedures, the donor site is planned as a contour in its own right because Dr. Boehm names the liposuction portion as a focus.
- Fat Transfer may not be appropriate for individuals with insufficient donor fat for adequate harvesting via liposuction or active infection at the donor or recipient site. Possible side effects include fat reabsorption, where the body reabsorbs a portion of the transferred fat and reduces the final volume achieved, fat necrosis (death of transferred fat cells), which may produce firm lumps or nodules, oil cysts that may form from liquefied fat and can be palpable. Dr. Boehm will review your health history to ensure Fat Transfer is safe for you.
Fat Transfer risks & candidacy
Who should avoid this
- Insufficient donor fat for adequate harvesting via liposuction
- Active infection at the donor or recipient site
- Bleeding disorders or use of blood-thinning medications without medical clearance
- Uncontrolled medical conditions that increase surgical or anesthetic risk
- Active smoking, which impairs graft survival and wound healing
- Pregnancy or current breastfeeding
- Unrealistic expectations regarding the degree of volume or correction achievable
Possible risks
- Fat reabsorption, where the body reabsorbs a portion of the transferred fat and reduces the final volume achieved
- Fat necrosis (death of transferred fat cells), which may produce firm lumps or nodules
- Oil cysts that may form from liquefied fat and can be palpable
- Calcifications at the recipient site that may be detectable on imaging
- Infection at the donor or recipient site
- Bruising, swelling, and soreness at both the donor and recipient sites
- Contour irregularities or asymmetry if fat survives or is reabsorbed unevenly
- Need for additional sessions to achieve the desired volume
- Fat embolism, a rare but serious complication, particularly relevant to gluteal fat grafting when fat is injected into deep muscle
- Risks associated with anesthesia and liposuction of the donor site
Your surgeon
Care that respects what makes you, you.
Dr. Lucas Boehm is a Wisconsin native, board-certified, fellowship-trained plastic surgeon and the founder of Consona Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics. His practice is dedicated exclusively to aesthetic surgery of the face, nose, breast, and body, with particular expertise in deep plane facelifts, rhinoplasty, and aesthetic breast surgery. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin, and completed his plastic surgery residency there as well. He then pursued an Aesthetic Society-endorsed fellowship in aesthetic surgery under the mentorship of Dr. Bradley Calobrace in Louisville, Kentucky. Known for meticulous attention to detail, he approaches each case with precision and intention. His philosophy emphasizes harmony and balance – enhancing what is already beautiful while ensuring every change feels natural, thoughtful, and uniquely you.
- Board-certified
- Am. Board of Plastic Surgery
- Fellowship-trained
- Aesthetic surgery
- 12+ years
- In practice
Sources & references
This article draws on 3 sources, including peer-reviewed research.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Lucas Boehm, MD · Last reviewed: 2026-09-12