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Breast & Body

Fat Transfer

Autologous Grafting

Home/Procedures/Breast & Body/Fat Transfer

AnesthesiaGeneral, or local with sedation

Procedure time1–3 hours

Downtime1–2 weeks

ResultsFinal at 3–6 months

Autologous Grafting

Fat Transfer

Uses your own purified fat to naturally add volume and refine contours where it is needed most.

Fat transfer — also called fat grafting or autologous grafting — uses your own body fat to add soft, natural volume where you want it. Fat is gently removed by liposuction from an area with excess, purified, and re-injected to enhance the buttocks, hips, breasts, or face. It offers a dual benefit: slimming one area while adding shape to another.

Because it uses your own living tissue rather than an implant or synthetic filler, results feel and look entirely natural. Dr. Marciales uses meticulous harvesting and injection technique to maximize the fat that survives and settles.

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Is It Right for You?

Am I a Candidate?

Good candidates want natural volume or contour enhancement and have enough donor fat elsewhere to harvest. It's ideal for patients who prefer their own tissue over implants or fillers and have realistic expectations about how much volume can be added in one session.

Want natural, soft volume without implants
Have adequate donor fat to harvest
Seeking buttock, hip, breast, or facial enhancement
At a stable weight and in good health
A non-smoker with realistic expectations

Why Patients Choose It

The Benefits

Adds natural volume using your own tissue
Slims the donor area at the same time
No implants or synthetic fillers
Soft, natural look and feel
Results that can be long-lasting
Minimal, well-hidden incisions

What to Expect

The Procedure

Fat transfer is a two-step procedure. First, Dr. Marciales performs gentle liposuction to harvest fat from an area with excess — often the abdomen, flanks, or thighs — and the fat is purified to isolate healthy fat cells.

Those cells are carefully re-injected in fine layers into the target area to build smooth, natural volume. Because some transferred fat is naturally reabsorbed, the technique accounts for this to reach your desired result. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia or local with sedation.

Before Surgery

How to Prepare

Attend a consultation and complete labs
Stop smoking and nicotine before surgery
Pause blood thinners and supplements as directed
Maintain a stable weight before the procedure
Arrange a ride home and light help
Plan to avoid pressure on the treated area

Healing, Week by Week

Your Recovery Timeline

First week

Expect soreness, swelling, and bruising at both the donor and treated areas. For buttock or hip grafting you'll avoid direct sitting or pressure on the area as directed. Light walking is encouraged.

Weeks 2–3

Bruising fades and many patients return to desk work. Continue avoiding pressure on the treated area and follow garment instructions for the donor site.

Weeks 4–6

Activity resumes gradually with clearance. Some early volume settles as a portion of fat is reabsorbed.

Months 2–6

The transferred fat that survives becomes permanent, and the final, natural volume and contour are established.

The Outcome

Your Results

Some transferred fat is naturally reabsorbed in the first weeks; the fat that remains after about three months is generally permanent. The final, soft, natural result settles over three to six months.

Maintaining a stable weight helps preserve your result, since transferred fat behaves like the fat around it and responds to weight changes.

Investment

Cost & Personalized Quote

Fat transfer is quoted individually because it depends on the donor and treatment areas and the volume involved. After your consultation you'll receive a clear, written quote.

The donor and target areas involved
The volume of fat harvested and transferred
Length of surgery and anesthesia
Accredited-facility and garment costs

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Good to Know

Fat Transfer FAQ

Is fat transfer permanent?

The fat that survives the first few months is generally permanent. Some transferred fat is naturally reabsorbed early on, which is planned for during the procedure.

Where can fat be transferred?

Commonly to the buttocks and hips, and also the breasts or face. Dr. Marciales will advise what's appropriate for your goals and anatomy.

How is it different from implants or fillers?

Fat transfer uses your own living tissue, so it looks and feels natural and carries no implant or synthetic material — and it slims the donor area at the same time.

Do I need enough body fat to be a candidate?

Yes — you need adequate donor fat to harvest. Very lean patients may not have enough for a significant transfer; this is assessed at your consultation.

Will my weight affect the result?

Yes. Transferred fat behaves like the surrounding fat, so significant weight gain or loss can change the result. A stable weight preserves it best.

How long is recovery?

Most patients return to desk work within one to two weeks, avoid pressure on the treated area for several weeks, and resume full activity gradually with clearance.