Fat grafting: what it can do and how long it lasts

Fat grafting, also called fat transfer or lipofilling, uses your own fat to restore volume where it has been lost. A small amount of fat is gently removed from somewhere you have a little to spare, such as the tummy or thighs, purified, then carefully injected where it is needed. Because it is your own tissue, it looks and feels natural, and the fat that survives becomes a permanent part of you.

It has become one of the fastest-growing procedures in plastic surgery. Here is how it works, what the research says about how much fat “takes”, and whether it might suit you.

What can fat grafting be used for?

• The face: restoring volume to hollow cheeks, temples and under-eye areas, softening deep folds, and refreshing a face that has thinned with age or weight loss.
• The breasts: adding natural volume, improving shape or symmetry, or refining the result after implants or reconstruction. Read more about fat transfer to the breasts.
• Scars and contour defects: filling depressed scars or dents after surgery, injury or skin cancer removal.
• Alongside other surgery: fat grafting is often combined with a facelift, eyelid surgery or body contouring to restore both shape and volume.

How the procedure works

1. Harvesting: fat is collected using fine liposuction cannulas through tiny incisions, usually from the abdomen, flanks or thighs. You also get a subtle contouring benefit where the fat is taken from.
2. Processing: the fat is gently purified to separate healthy fat cells from fluid and oil.
3. Injecting: the fat is placed in many small amounts, in layers, using fine cannulas. This careful technique gives each tiny parcel of fat the best chance of picking up a new blood supply.

Depending on the area and amount, it can be done under local anaesthetic with sedation or under general anaesthetic, and most people go home the same day.

How much of the fat survives?

This is the question I am asked most. Not all of the transferred fat survives, because some cells do not establish a blood supply in their new location. The fat that does survive after the first few months generally stays long term.

The best overall picture comes from a systematic review and meta-analysis published in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery (Krastev and colleagues, 2018). It pooled 52 studies and around 1,550 patients who had fat transferred to the face:

• about 50% to 60% of the injected volume was retained at one year
• 91% of patients were satisfied with their result
• patients needed an average of 1.5 sessions to reach their goal
• complications occurred in under 5% of procedures, and most were minor, such as slight asymmetry or overcorrection

The authors also noted that many of the studies were small or retrospective, so results vary from person to person. In practice, this is why I plan carefully, sometimes place a little more fat than the final result needs, and talk openly about the possibility of a second, top-up session.

Fat grafting or fillers?

Hyaluronic acid fillers are excellent for small, precise corrections and need no recovery time, but they are gradually broken down by the body and need repeating. Fat grafting involves a short recovery but can give a longer-lasting, natural result and can treat larger areas. Many people use both at different stages. We can discuss which suits your goals at your consultation, and you can read more about dermal fillers.

Recovery

• Swelling and bruising: expect noticeable swelling for one to two weeks. It settles gradually, and the early fullness is not the final result.
• The donor area: feels bruised and tender, like after liposuction, and you may wear a compression garment for a short time.
• Getting back to normal: most people return to desk work within about a week. Avoid pressure on the treated area and strenuous exercise for a few weeks.
• Final result: once the swelling has settled and the surviving fat has established, usually by around three to six months.

Is it safe?

Fat grafting has a good safety record when performed by a trained plastic surgeon. Possible risks include swelling, bruising, lumps or firmness, small oil cysts, asymmetry, over- or under-correction, infection and, rarely, more serious complications. I will go through these with you in detail and explain how they are minimised.

Who is a good candidate?

You may be suitable if you are in good general health, have enough spare fat to harvest, are at a stable weight, and would like a natural-looking improvement rather than a dramatic change. If you are losing weight, it is usually best to reach a stable weight first, because grafted fat behaves like the fat elsewhere in your body.

Frequently asked questions

Is fat grafting permanent?

The fat that survives the first few months is long-lasting. Natural ageing continues, and significant weight changes can affect the treated area.

Will I need more than one session?

Some people are happy after one session; others choose a top-up. On average, research suggests about one and a half sessions.

Does it leave scars?

The incisions are only a few millimetres long and usually fade to be barely visible.

How much does fat transfer cost?

It depends on the area and amount. Fat transfer to the breasts has a guide price from 2,495, and facial fat grafting is priced on consultation. You will receive a formal written quote after your consultation. See our fees page.

Next steps

If you are interested in fat grafting, particularly after weight loss, you may also find our article on GLP-1 weight loss and body contouring helpful. To discuss whether it is right for you, book a consultation.

References

1. Krastev TK, Beugels J, Hommes J, et al. Efficacy and safety of autologous fat transfer in facial reconstructive surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Facial Plast Surg. 2018;20(5):351-360. Read the study
2. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The GLP-1 effect: from body to face and what happens next. September 2026. Read the article