All procedures involving fat transfer at CREO Clinic are performed by one of two specialist fat transfer surgeons: Dr Omar Tillo performs transfers on areas from the neck down, and Dr Dan Del Vecchio performs transfers targeting the face and hands.
Dr Tillo is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) and member of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS). He teaches fat transfer techniques to other BAAPS members and wrote the current guidelines for BBL surgeries in the UK.
Dr Del Vecchio graduated from Yale College and Harvard Medical School, and is a member of the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). He has also authored a textbook on gluteal fat grafting.
All procedures at CREO Clinic take a consistent approach, focusing on detailed planning, research-backed techniques, and proportionate outcomes tailored to the individual.
Why this procedure matters
Patients may consider fat transfer when changes to the proportions of the body cannot be achieved via non-surgical approaches or weight management alone. It can work to address imbalances in the physique that result in functional or aesthetic concerns.
Restoring volume after weight loss or ageing
Significant weight loss and the natural ageing process can both alter the distribution of fat across the body, with consequences for natural aesthetic balance that may be impossible to address via non-surgical means. Fat transfer can be well suited to creating incremental restorations of volume in target areas while helping improve tone at donor sites.
Improving proportion and contour
Fat transfer can create changes in volume at target areas, working to redistribute harvested fat and improve the proportions of the figure. Targeted liposuction extracts fat from areas where it is in excess, and this dual approach of extraction and redistribution can help build a more sculpted physique with improved harmony and proportionate enhancements.
When fat transfer may be considered over implants or fillers
Whether fat transfer is more suitable for a patient than implants or fillers depends on the individualโs anatomy, their clinical goals, and the volume change required in their case. Key differences are that fat transfer does not introduce foreign matter into the body, as it only uses autologous fat. The results of breast implants tend to be more prominent, whereas transferred fat typically carries less risk of adverse reactions.
How the procedure works
Fat transfer is typically performed in three main stages: liposuction, fat purification, and fat transfer. Each stage is adapted carefully to the patientโs fat availability, anatomy, and overall treatment goals as determined during their consultation.
Fat harvesting (liposuction techniques)
Fat is typically harvested from areas where it is in excess, such as the thighs or abdomen, via very small incisions through which a cannula is passed to extract the fat. Power-assisted liposuction is typically used as it decreases the likelihood that fat cells are damaged. Other liposuction techniques may be considered if the patient requires skin tightening in the liposuction areas.
The extracted fat must subsequently be purified for transfer. It is important that there is as little damage as possible to the fat cells, as damage may affect the viability of the extracted fat. This requires detailed planning on the part of the surgical team to help ensure their technique adapts to the patientโs anatomy.
Fat processing and purification
All fat collected via liposuction is purified and prepared for reinjection. This process involves the removal of impurities and any non-viable fat cells, which may help support healthy fat retention after transfer.
Strategic reinjection and sculpting
The placement of transferred fat must be highly targeted, guided by an acute awareness of the patientโs anatomy and a detailed knowledge of typical fat graft behaviour. To help support proper integration and proportion, fat is only introduced in small volumes across multiple sites in the target area.
Anaesthetic and surgical environment
Whether a fat transfer procedure is performed under sedation or general anaesthetic depends on the area treated and the clinical suitability of each individual case. Most fat transfer procedures are day cases, though an overnight stay may be appropriate for some patients and can be arranged at the patientโs request.
For fat transfer to the hands or face, the procedure is typically performed under local anaesthetic, but can be performed under sedation or general anaesthetic, if the patient prefers.
All procedures are carried out in Care Quality Commission (CQC)-registered facilities to ensure appropriate clinical standards and practices are maintained.
Is fat transfer surgery right for you?
Suitability for fat transfer cannot be determined through self-assessment alone. The procedure will only be recommended if deemed clinically appropriate following consultation.
Who it may be right for
– Have sufficient donor fat available in one or more areas for harvest
– Have maintained, where possible, a stable BMI of 30 or below for a sustained period prior to surgery (not important for facial fat transfer)ย
– Are non-smokers, or are prepared to cease smoking for four weeks ahead of surgery
– Are in good general health with no conditions that may impair healing or increase surgical risk
– Hold realistic expectations of the achievable outcomes, including awareness of expected fat reabsorption
– Are prepared to follow pre- and post-operative guidance and allow adequate time for recovery
– Understand that final results may take three to six months to stabilise, and that a top-up session may be required
Who it may not be right for
– Have insufficient donor fat available for harvest
– Have a BMI of thirty or above that makes safe liposuction difficult
– Are active smokers who are unwilling or unable to cease smoking in the four weeks prior to surgery
– Have a history of conditions that may impair wound healing or increase the risk of infection
– Are seeking volume change that exceeds what fat transfer alone can reliably achieve
– Have unrealistic expectations of outcomes, or are unwilling to accept the variable nature of fat retention
Procedure variants and alternatives
There are multiple fat transfer surgery techniques adapted to different areas of the body. The approach considered for a given patient will depend on their anatomy, treatment goals, and the outcome considered clinically appropriate during consultation.
Facial fat transfer
Fat transfer to the hands
Breast fat transfer
Calf fat transfer
Fat transfer for body contouring
Alternatives: implants and dermal fillers
Some of the transferred fat may establish a long-term blood supply and remain in place for many years.ย However, a proportion of transferred fat is expected to be reabsorbed during healing, and the amount that survives varies between individuals. For this reason, long-term outcomes are less predictable than with implants, and some patients may choose or require a further treatment session.
Dermal fillers typically carry a shorter longevity profile, with filler breakdown occurring over time, causing augmentations to diminish. Implants, whether in the breasts, buttocks, or calves, are less affected by weight fluctuations, but typically require replacement after ten to fifteen years.
The volume offered by implants can be predicted with greater precision than the volume changes achievable through fat transfer or dermal fillers. Rather than one option being universally preferable, each approach has different advantages, limitations, and risks that should be considered in the context of the patient’s goals and anatomy.ย
During consultation, the surgeon will discuss these differences in detail and advise whether fat transfer, implants, dermal fillers, or a combination approach may be most appropriate for the intended outcome.
Before and after results
Below is a gallery of images illustrating real-life outcomes from fat transfer procedures. Outcomes can vary depending on individual genetics, healing, and variability in the physique.
Benefits of fat transfer surgery
The potential benefits of fat transfer are dependent on a patientโs treatment goals, individual anatomy, and surgical planning. For suitable candidates, key advantages may include:
- Improvements to body, face, or hand proportions via redistribution of fat
- Reduction of stubborn, exercise-resistant fat cells through liposuction at donor sites
- Refinement of contour in donor areas
- Enhancement of the overall silhouette through targeted adjustments to volume and shape
- Use of autologous fat (i.e. fat sourced from the patientโs own body) rather than implants or fillers
The CREO APEX Recovery System
Our APEX Recovery System for Faster Healing
Every procedure our surgeons perform comes with Creo Clinicโs APEX Recovery System โ a unique recovery protocol built and refined on years of specialised expertise.
This three-stage system combines pre-surgical optimisation, advanced anaesthetic techniques, and a post-operative strategy designed to eliminate the need for strong pain management.
These treatments are thoughtfully integrated into every step of your plan, ensuring your recovery is supported, refined, and medically guided. We donโt make any compromises when it comes to care โฆ and you shouldnโt either.
What to expect: before, during, and after
At CREO Clinic, surgical roadmaps are kept consistent so that patients have a clear understanding of what to expect at each stage of their journey. The process can be divided into pre-operative preparation, the procedure itself, and the recovery period that follows.
Before surgery
Maintain a stable BMI: For fat transfer to the body, a BMI of 30 or below is recommended in advance of surgery, as this can reduce the risk of complications and support safe liposuction (Use our BMI calculator to check)
Abstain from nicotine: Stop all consumption of nicotine products for at least four weeks before surgery, as nicotine impairs wound healing and increases surgical risk
Reduce alcohol consumption: Significantly reduce alcohol intake during the two weeks leading up to surgery, as this will aid post-surgical healing
Oestrogen contraceptives and HRT: You may be advised to cease oestrogen-based contraceptives or HRT medication for at least four weeks before surgery to help reduce the risk of thrombosis. Confirm this with the surgical team at your pre-operative appointment
Prepare your home: Arrange a comfortable space at home for rest and delegate childcare or pet care responsibilities for at least the initial stages of your downtime
Day of surgery
Once surgery is complete, the patient will spend a period of time in a dedicated recovery area while the anaesthetic wears off. Discharge timing typically varies according to the procedure performed and the individualโs recovery.
Initial recovery
Final results
Over this period, a proportion of transferred fat is expected to survive while some is reabsorbed into the body. Fat reabsorption is a well-understood feature of any fat transfer procedure, and the surgical team works to compensate for this by applying additional fat to the recipient area during transfer.
The ‘fluffing’ phase is a period of fat transfer recovery during which applied fat begins to settle into a softer, smoother contour. Any fat that remains after the fluffing phase is typically considered stable, though results can be affected by weight fluctuations and natural ageing over time.
Risks, limitations, and considerations
As with any surgery, fat transfer carries certain risks that require careful consideration. The surgical team works to mitigate these through rigorous clinical standards, detailed pre-operative planning, and close monitoring during recovery. Risks associated with fat transfer include:
- Infection at donor or recipient sites
- Asymmetry
- Delayed wound healing
- Seroma or haematoma
- Fat necrosis
- Complications associated with fat transfer, including pulmonary fat embolism, which is a rare but serious risk
A Brazilian butt lift (BBL) requires the surgical team to adhere strictly to established safety protocols, taking precautions to help ensure fat is placed above the gluteal muscle. Dr Tillo performs all BBL procedures at CREO Clinic using the ultrasound-guided BEST-F technique to help reduce the risk of fat entering the gluteal muscle. However, these measures do not entirely eliminate the risk.
Costs and financing options
The cost of fat transfer surgery at CREO Clinic will depend on the area or areas treated, the number of liposuction sites involved, and the complexity of the procedure. A final quote will be provided following your consultation with your fat transfer surgeon, once your clinical requirements, treatment goals, and surgical plan have been fully established.
What influences cost
Multiple factors influence the cost of your fat transfer procedure, including:
- The area (or areas) of the body being treated
- The number of liposuction donor sites
- The length and complexity of the procedure
- Surgeon and nursing fees
- Anaesthetist and anaesthetics fees
- CQC-registered hospital fees
- Compression garments where applicable
Where appropriate, financing options are available through our partner, Chrysalis Finance. Available products may include 12-month interest-free finance and longer-term borrowing options, subject to eligibility and approval. Financing should be considered only after the clinical suitability of treatment has been established.
All borrowing is subject to approval
Body Fat Transfer Top-Up Policy
Some patients choose to undergo a second fat transfer procedure following their initial treatment. This may be because they wish to pursue additional volume enhancement, refine a previous result, or because fat retention has differed from expectations following healing.
The CREO Clinic Body Fat Transfer Top-Up Policy is available for purchase before surgery at a cost of ยฃ2,250. It covers one additional fat transfer session to one body area. For example, liposuction of the lower abdomen and fat transfer to the breasts.
From clinical experience, approximately one in three patients wishes to make a refinement to their results following a body fat transfer. This is a normal feature of the way fat behaves and integrates within the body following surgery, and is not a reflection of surgical performance.
The policy is designed to support patients who anticipate that a staged approach may be appropriate for their goals. However, the need for any additional treatment varies between individuals and can only be assessed following recovery and review with the surgical team.
The suitability of a second procedure will always be determined through consultation and clinical assessment.
Terms and conditions apply, and any questions regarding these can be answered by our patient advisors
Why choose CREO Clinic
At CREO Clinic, fat transfer procedures are delivered via a clinically led surgical approach, emphasising careful planning, specialist technique, and a structured aftercare programme.
Surgeon-led planning and anatomical specialisation
To help achieve consistency in surgical approach and a high level of technical expertise, CREO Clinicโs surgeons specialise in particular anatomical areas. Dr Tillo focuses exclusively on procedures from the neck down, while Dr Del Vecchio focuses on fat transfer to the face, breasts, and hands. All planning decisions are made by the treating surgeon, informed by their clinical expertise and the insights gained through one-to-one consultation.
Integrated aftercare and recovery support
Aftercare is fully integrated with all treatment at CREO Clinic, with planned, structured support provided throughout the recovery period. The APEX Aftercare System provides support long after surgery, including post-operative garments, follow-up appointments, and therapeutic treatments such as lymphatic drainage massage and laser scar management, where clinically appropriate.
Clinical standards and patient safety
CREO Clinicโs surgeons adhere to strict clinical standards to help ensure patient safety, performing all procedures in CQC-registered surgical facilities. In the interests of patient welfare, some individuals may not be considered appropriate candidates for fat transfer if the limitations or risks of the procedure outweigh the potential benefits.
Patient experience and outcomes
At CREO Clinic, patient experience and long-term results are supported through careful clinical planning, rigorous surgical standards, and continued post-procedural aftercare. The surgical team endeavours to communicate with transparency from the first consultation, helping to establish a clear surgical roadmap and accurate expectations for outcomes.
How much of the transferred fat survives long-term?
After the fluffing phase of fat transfer recovery is complete, typically between three and six months after surgery, the fat that remains is generally considered more stable, although it may alter in line with weight fluctuations, ageing, and future changes in body composition.
