Fat grafting
Fat injections (fat grafting or fat transfer) use fat taken from your own body to restore lost volume, soften lines and improve facial or body contour. Because the fat is your own tissue, there is no risk of an allergic reaction, and rather than simply filling lines it restores fullness to areas that have become hollow with age.
- Anaesthetic
- General or sedation
- Hospital stay
- Day case
- Time off work
- A few days
- Final result
- Settles over a few months
A general guide only — your own timeline is confirmed at consultation.
What it involves
Fat is first harvested from an area such as the abdomen, hips or thighs using a gentle liposuction technique, then filtered and purified before being carefully re-injected into the treatment area. It is commonly used for the cheeks, lips, chin and under-eye hollows, and can also restore volume to the hands, hips and buttocks — as a standalone treatment, part of a facelift, or a smaller touch-up.
Who it may suit
May suit patients with volume loss and hollowing — of the face in particular — who would prefer their own tissue to a synthetic filler. Restoring lost volume can look more natural than tightening skin alone, so it is often combined with other rejuvenation.
Recovery
Some swelling and bruising are common and usually temporary, with mild tenderness or unevenness while the tissues settle. Most patients return to normal daily activities within a few days. Because not all transferred fat survives permanently, a second procedure is sometimes needed to reach the desired result.
This page is a general guide. Every procedure is planned individually — the details, risks and recovery relevant to you are discussed at consultation.
Patient information leaflet Download the full fat grafting leaflet (PDF)Common questions
How much of the fat lasts?
Is it safer than a synthetic filler?
Next step
The best way to understand your options is a proper consultation with Dr Chen.
Request a consultation