If you’ve ever wished you could borrow a little fullness from one area and move it to another, fat transfer might be your new favorite option. In a single procedure, your surgeon gently takes a small amount of fat from a place you don’t mind slimming, then places it where you want more shape or softness. The results looks and feels natural because the “filler” is you.
How Fat Transfer Works and Why People Love It
Fat transfer is a simple “borrow here, boost there” approach using your own fat. A small amount is collected with gentle liposuction, purified, and placed in tiny, precise layers where you want more shape or softness. Some of that fat is reabsorbed in the first few months, and the portion that remains becomes living tissue that looks and feels natural. Patients love the two-for-one effect: light contouring where fat is borrowed and believable volume where it’s added. Once everything settles, results last.
Facial Fat Transfer: Fresh, Lifted, and You
If your cheeks look a bit flat or folds feel more noticeable, facial fat transfer can bring back gentle curves and soften lines without looking “done.” We can target cheeks, smile lines, the area around the mouth, and even early jowling. Facial fat transfers are often performed in conjunction with other facial procedures, such as a facelift.
Benefits You’ll Notice
- Cheeks look lifted and rounder, not puffy.
- Folds and etched lines look softer.
- Results are subtle and customizable by zone.
- Longevity often exceeds temporary fillers.
Recovery Snapshot: Expect a few days of swelling and mild bruising. Many people feel ready for desk work in about a week. The shape refines over the next couple of months as everything settles.
Breast Fat Transfer: Subtle Shape and Symmetry
Want a small, natural boost without implants? Breast fat transfer adds soft fullness, evens out minor asymmetries, and can smooth edges if you already have implants and want a touch-up.
Benefits You’ll Notice
- A very natural look and feel.
- More upper-pole fullness in clothes and swimwear.
- Precision shaping to correct uneven volume.
Recovery Snapshot: Plan on some soreness at the chest and donor sites during the first week. Most patients return to desk work in about a week. Swelling eases over several weeks while long-term volume stabilizes.
Buttock Fat Transfer (BBL): Curves with Balance
If your goal is a smoother hourglass or a little more projection through the hips and buttocks, a BBL can help create proportion that fits your frame. During fat harvesting, the waist and lower back are shaped too, which often makes the result pop. For more information along with before and after pictures, look at Illumes Buttock Enhancement page.
Benefits You’ll Notice
- A fuller, rounder shape that still looks like you.
- More harmony between the waist, hips, and thighs.
- Jeans and dresses drape in a more flattering way.
Recovery Notes: You will limit direct pressure on the buttocks for a period your surgeon sets, using a seated pillow when needed. Gentle walking is encouraged as advised. Many people resume everyday tasks in one to two weeks while swelling improves and shape refines.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Fat Transfer?
You’re likely a good candidate if you want natural-looking volume rather than a dramatic, filled look, have donor areas with enough fat to share, and can keep your weight steady while following simple aftercare. If you’re unsure about donor fat or timing, a quick consultation will confirm your options and outline a realistic plan.
What to Expect When Getting a Fat Transfer
Consultation: We talk through goals, review your health history, and assess donor areas. You’ll hear honest recommendations and see what is possible in one session.
Procedure Day: Fat is collected with gentle liposuction, refined, and placed in micro-layers for an even, smooth look.
Aftercare: Wear compression at donor sites if your surgeon prescribes it, avoid pressure on newly grafted areas until cleared, and keep your weight steady since weight changes can change volume.
Your Timeline: Early swelling improves in the first few weeks. The look continues to refine over two to three months. The fat that remains becomes long term. Our Surgeons are there to support you every step of the way.
Why Patients Choose Illume
You want results that look like you on your very best day. At Illume Cosmetic Surgery & Medspa, our board-certified plastic surgeons are experienced in preforming fat transfer procedures. They will make the best individualized recommendations and work with you to achieve your desired results. You’ll leave with a clear timeline, straightforward aftercare, and a team that checks in on you.
Ready to see if fat transfer is the right fit for your goals?
Request a Consultation • Learn About Fat Transfers
