Regenerative Fat Transfer
A little of your own fat, moved to where your face has lost volume.
We place it slowly, and only when fat is the better choice.
What Is Fat
Transfer?
Fat transfer, also called fat grafting, moves a small amount of your own fat to an area of the face that has lost volume. It is taken from the belly, thighs or flanks under local anesthesia, prepared in the office within the hour and placed back the same day, never stored. Because the fat that settles stays, it is done slowly and conservatively.
At a Glance
- Comfort
- Local anesthesia; you stay awake
- Downtime
- Days for the face; donor area sore 1 to 2 weeks
- Results in
- Settles over months; not all of the fat stays
- Sessions
- Not always one; no more than every 4 to 5 years
- Lasts
- The fat that settles stays; it can change shape over years
Fat Transfer vs
Filler vs Sculptra
Fat transfer is one of three ways to restore lost volume, and your doctor tells you which suits your face. Filler is precise and reversible; Sculptra builds collagen gradually; fat is your own tissue and lasting, at the cost of a harvest and some downtime.
| Fat transfer | Hyaluronic acid filler | Sculptra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Your own fat | A gel | Builds your own collagen |
| Procedure | Fat taken and placed in one visit, local anesthesia | Injections | Injections over several sessions |
| Downtime | Days for the face; sore donor area one to two weeks | Little | Little |
| How long | The fat that stays is lasting | Months to years | Gradual, lasting effect |
| Can it be undone? | No | Yes, it can be dissolved | No |
Compare dermal fillers and Sculptra and Radiesse, or see every option for facial volume loss.
Who It’s For
For deeper, structural volume loss, in the right patient.
Ideal For
Volume the face has lost with time or weight loss, such as a hollow midface or flattened cheeks, and some under eye hollows, when a lasting result from your own tissue appeals more than repeat filler. Dr. Idriss has also used her own fat for lines on her chest. Fat is moved in small amounts and settles unpredictably, so it is planned conservatively. See the concerns we treat, or compare treatments for chest wrinkles.
When to Wait
Not everyone is a candidate: your doctor reviews your health history and medications and looks at whether you have fat to spare. If you want something you can undo, or a small correction, filler is usually the better tool.
Fat transfer or filler?
Filler is precise and can be dissolved. Fat cannot be undone. Fat suits broader volume loss and a lasting plan, done once and then left for years, while filler suits fine adjustments and areas you may want to change. Many plans use both. Compare dermal fillers.
“Fat transfers are very, very exciting, but also very scary because they are permanent.”
The Treatment
1
Fat, Filler
or Sculptra?
Where has your face lost volume, and why? Your doctor answers that first, and tells you whether fat, filler or Sculptra suits you best. Fat transfer is booked as its own visit once you have decided.
2
Taken and
Prepared
Under local anesthesia, with you awake, a small amount of fat is taken from the belly, thighs or flanks. It is prepared in the office within the hour and never stored.
3
Placed,
Slowly
The prepared fat is placed in small amounts where volume was lost. Because no one can predict exactly how much settles, we work slowly and conservatively and avoid overfilling.
Beneath the Surface
Often paired with: Fillers, PRF for Under Eyes and Ultherapy.
“Fat cannot be undone, so my first question is whether it is the right tool at all. For a small correction, I will usually point you to an alternative treatment.”
In Our Patients’ Words
“
Dr. Fisher is amazing! She answered all of my questions and never pushed me onto anything. She cares about her patients. Will definitely come to her again if I need an opinion on anything relating to hair or skin.
Zubaida M.
“
I would recommend Dr Idriss a thousand times over and over. She is extremely knowledgeable, knows what will work and what won’t and will always give you an honest recommendations. You will never feel pushed into moving forward with any injections or procedures.
Hiva F.
“
I highly recommend Dr. Fisher. I followed her from her previous practice and I continue to be happy with my results. I’ve gotten fillers and laser. Whenever I’ve wanted to do more, she was always honest with me. If I didn’t need it, I could count on her to tell me
Lillian J.
Bryant Park, New York
Your Dermatologists
Fat is placed by hand, in small amounts, at depths chosen for the anatomy of your face. That is work for a board-certified dermatologist, and both of ours are trained in it, including what to do if a treatment does not go to plan.
Founder
Dr. Shereene Idriss
Had her own first fat transfer at 42, and plans every one conservatively.
Board-certified, Practicing since 2013
Dermatologic Surgeon
Dr. Juliya Fisher
Tells you plainly whether fat, filler or Sculptra suits your face.
Double Board-certified, Columbia Mohs fellowship
Both doctors share one philosophy, so either is a good place to start. Book online with Dr. Fisher, or call (212) 612-1520 for Dr. Idriss.
Questions, Answered
How much does fat transfer to the face cost?
Is fat transfer permanent?
What is the downtime after fat transfer?
Are you awake for fat transfer?
Where is the fat taken from?
Is fat transfer better than filler?
Can fat transfer go wrong?
We do not perform cosmetic treatments during pregnancy. Breastfeeding patients are evaluated case by case.