Fat Grafting at CREO
Fat grafting, also known as fat transfer or fat injections, is a surgical procedure that transfers fat from one part of the body to another. The procedure contours the body in two ways: it sculpts areas with excess fat and adds volume to areas requiring enhancement.
Fat grafting first involves liposuction surgery which extracts excess fat from targeted areas of the body. Afterwards, fat is purified and injected into the areas the patient wishes to augment.
Dr Omar Tillo has extensive experience in fat grafting procedures, having performed hundreds of procedures on multiple parts of the body using a myriad of liposuction technologies and surgical techniques. He is particularly renowned for his unique and safe approach to using fat grafting for Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) and breast augmentation procedures.
If you are interested in enhancing your breasts, buttocks, hands, or calves, book a consultation with Dr Tillo to discuss your concerns and goals and a customised surgical approach for attaining your desired results.
Treatments
1Results
4-6 monthsAnesthesia
Sedation or General AnaesthesiaSurgery time
1-4 HourHospital time
2-6 HoursMobility
12 HoursWashing
3 daysOff-Work
10 daysExercise
4 weeksFull recovery
6 weeksBenefits of Fat Transfer
Fat transfer is a cosmetic procedure that has several benefits for the patient:
- The procedure removes excess fat from parts of the body where it’s unwanted and places it in a part of the body the patient wishes to augment. As a result, the surgery contours multiple areas of the body simultaneously.
- The fat cells extracted during the liposuction procedure are often resistant to diet and exercise measures.
- A fat transfer utilises the patient’s own tissue, which significantly reduces the risk of an allergic reaction. This also benefits patients by reducing downtime in comparison to other more invasive surgical procedures.
- In contrast to dermal fillers, which you need to repeat every 12-18 months, the volume produced by a fat transfer is long-lasting.
Fat Grafting Before and After
Target Areas for a Fat Transfer
A fat transfer surgery usually involves placing fat in the following areas:
Face
A facial fat transfer corrects the loss of volume and skin elasticity that accompanies the ageing process. The procedure involves transferring fat into sunken areas of the face, such as the cheeks and jawline. In doing so, a facial fat transfer can improve the appearance of wrinkles, saggy skin, and restore definition to the contours of the face.
Breasts
The breasts can sag and lose their volume due to ageing, pregnancy, and weight loss. A fat transfer can add volume to the breasts, thus providing a slight augmentation. It is ideal for patients that want a more natural breast enhancement without breast implants. Furthermore, patients who wish to correct the loss of volume and sagginess in the breasts can combine a fat transfer with breast lift surgery.
Buttocks
A fat transfer to the buttocks is commonly known as a Brazilian Butt Lift. It is ideal for patients who wish to enhance their buttocks by adding volume to the area in order to make it proportionate to the rest of the body. It is a more natural solution for enhancing the buttocks without the use of butt implants.
Dr Tillo is a key opinion leader on Brazilian Butt Lift surgery, having developed a technique known as Buttock Enhancement and Superficial Transfer of Fat (BEST-F). CREO clinic is the only clinic in the UK using the BEST-F approach, which is a safer alternative to the traditional Brazilian Butt Lift that also provides the patient with a natural yet noticeable enhancement and reshaping of the bottom.
Hands
The hands are often the first area of the body to show signs of ageing as the loss of fat leads to flaccid skin, visible veins, and a change in texture. Transferring a small amount of fat into the hands adds volume to the area in order to disguise these signs of ageing and restore youthfulness and a rejuvenated appearance.
Calfs
Transferring fat to the calves can restore proportion and definition to legs that require enhancement. Many patients struggle to tone their calves to their desired shape using just exercise. Therefore, a fat transfer is ideal for patients that lack curves in their calves that define the legs and ankles.
At the CREO clinic, we also offer calf implants for patients requiring a more prominent reshaping and enhancement to their legs. Dr Tillo will be able to advise the best option for producing your desired results.
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In general, prices for treating one area of the body with a fat transfer in London start from £4,500. The exact cost of a fat transfer procedure varies depending on a range of factors, including the number and size of areas requiring fat transfers, the number of areas requiring liposuction, and the surgical complexity of the procedure. You will receive an exact fat transfer cost following a consultation with Dr Tillo.
Fat Grafting Procedure
Once an anesthetic has been administered, the surgeon harvests excess fat from a predetermined area of the body using liposuction. This involves inserting a thin cannula via a small incision. Afterwards, our plastic surgeon washes and purifies the harvested fat cells to separate them from blood and other fluids. Finally, we’ll inject the fat cells into the part of the body we are enhancing.
Recovery
During fat transfer recovery, you may experience swelling and bruising, which gradually dissipates over the following two weeks. After this period, patients are able to resume most of their daily activities, including going back to work. However, it may take a few more weeks for the swelling to completely subside.
Results
Following the surgery, you will notice an immediate enhancement in the treated area. However, your body absorbs around 20-50% of the fat that’s injected into the area (your surgeon will take this into account when deciding on the amount of fat being injected).
Therefore, it may take 4-6 months for the fat cells to stabilise and for the swelling to completely subside, after which you will be able to enjoy your final fat transfer results.
Fat Transfer vs. Implants
We can insert implants into the breast, buttocks, calves, and areas of the face as an alternative solution to fat transfer. While both treatments can enhance and augment the targeted areas of the body, there are significant differences between fat transfer vs. implants:
| Fat Transfer | Implants | |
| Results | Provides a subtle enhancement to one area of the body while removing excess fat in another area | Provides substantial enhancement to the treated area |
| Anaesthetic | Local or general anaesthesia | General anaesthesia |
| Scarring | Insignificant scarring | Noticeable scarring at the incision site |
| Recovery | 4-6 weeks | 6 weeks |
| Longevity | Permanent | Permanent |
| Price | Dependent on the areas treated. However, it’s usually cheaper than inserting implants due to the price of anaesthetics and implants | Usually more expensive than a fat transfer |
Fat Transfer FAQ
How long does fat transfer last?
The final results from a fat transfer procedure are permanent. However, the results are dependent on maintaining a healthy lifestyle as any fluctuations in weight cause the fat cells to expand or shrink.
Can you receive a fat transfer after breast augmentation?
Yes, it’s common for surgeons to combine a breast augmentation using implants with a fat transfer procedure for a more natural result. In particular, this may be necessary for patients with little breast tissue who may require more volume in order to conceal the edges of the implant.
Can fat grafting move?
No, the transferred fat cannot move from one area to another. Once the fat has stabilised in the treated area, it is attached to the blood supply in the area and thus becomes a natural part of the body.
Who is a good candidate for fat transfer?
A fat transfer is ideal for patients who have excess fat in one area of the body – for example, the hips, abdomen, or thighs – and lack volume in other parts of the body.
Typically, patients undergo a fat transfer between the ages of 30 and 65, as this is when they begin to notice signs of ageing and loss of volume in areas of the body. Furthermore, patients need to be in general good health, with no underlying medical conditions.
During your consultation, our surgeon will determine your suitability for the procedure and whether a fat transfer is the best solution for your cosmetic concerns.
Is fat transfer worth it?
Many patients consider a fat transfer to be a worthwhile procedure as it successfully addresses their cosmetic concerns by enhancing targeted areas of the body.
The treatment is growing in popularity, particularly due to its versatility: not only does it augment underdeveloped areas, but it can remove excess fat that’s resistant to diet and exercise from other parts of the body.
In addition, a fat transfer has a few advantages over other cosmetic treatments: in contrast to dermal fillers, a fat transfer delivers permanent volume; in contrast to implants, a fat transfer is a more organic solution that utilises the body’s natural fat.