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 from areas where it is abundant and reinjects it where added volume or smoother contour is desired. The procedure has a dual benefit: liposuction at the donor site refines that area's contour while the harvested fat enhances 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.
On the body, fat transfer is commonly used to fill hip dips (the inward depressions along the outer hip), to augment the buttocks and gluteal region, and to correct localized contour deficits such as depressed scars, post-surgical irregularities, or soft-tissue loss. The amount of correction achievable depends on the available donor fat, the characteristics of the recipient site, and the proportion of grafted fat that survives.
Grafted fat cells must establish a new blood supply to survive. A portion of the transferred fat is reabsorbed over the first several months, which is why the volume immediately after the procedure appears greater than the final, settled result. More than one session is sometimes performed to build the desired volume. Allograft adipose matrix, a processed donor-derived tissue, is an emerging category being studied as an off-the-shelf adjunct for soft-tissue volume restoration.
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 from a donor site, commonly the abdomen, flanks, thighs, or back, using liposuction. A gentle, low-pressure technique is typically used to preserve the viability of the fat cells during removal.
- The harvested fat is processed to separate intact fat cells from blood, fluid, oil, and damaged tissue. Common processing methods include centrifugation, filtration, and decanting, selected according to the surgeon's protocol.
- The purified fat is reinjected into the recipient site in small amounts using blunt-tipped cannulas, layered across multiple tissue planes and passes. Placing fat in small parcels maximizes each graft's contact with surrounding blood supply and supports survival.
- Fat cells that successfully establish a blood supply generally remain permanently, while a portion of the transferred fat is reabsorbed during the first several months. The settled result becomes apparent once this reabsorption phase stabilizes.
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, is a procedure that 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. Afterward, soreness, swelling, and bruising are common at both the liposuction donor site and the treated area for the first several days, and discomfort is typically managed with prescribed medication.
- Fat cells that establish a blood supply at the recipient site can remain permanently. However, the body reabsorbs a portion of the transferred fat during the first few months, so the final result settles around 3 to 6 months after the procedure. Significant weight changes afterward can affect the transferred fat, as it behaves like the rest of the body's fat.
- Only the fat cells that successfully establish a new blood supply survive long term. The proportion that survives varies widely depending on technique, the recipient area, and individual factors, which is why the volume right after the procedure is larger than the final settled result and why more than one session is sometimes needed.
- On the body, fat transfer is commonly used to fill hip dips, augment or reshape the buttocks and gluteal area, and correct localized contour deficits such as depressed scars or soft-tissue irregularities. The right approach depends on the area treated and the amount of donor fat available.
- Patients with insufficient body fat for harvesting, active infection, untreated bleeding disorders, or unrealistic expectations about the achievable volume may not be suitable candidates. Smoking can impair graft survival and healing. A thorough consultation helps determine whether fat transfer is appropriate.
- 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: 2026-06-13