Fat grafting, also called autologous fat transfer, is a technique that uses a patient’s own fat to enhance or restore volume in selected areas of the face or body. At our Beverly Hills practice, double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jay Orringer performs fat grafting using a meticulous, patient-focused approach tailored to individual anatomy and goals.
Natural Volume Enhancement Using Your Own Tissue
Fat grafting may be appropriate for patients seeking subtle, potentially long-lasting volume improvement without synthetic fillers or implants. Common treatment areas include the midface, under-eye hollows, lips, jawline, hands, and in some cases, the breasts or buttocks. Because the transferred fat is harvested from the patient’s own body, it may offer a more natural look and feel compared to other volumizing methods.
Fat Grafting Benefits
Fat grafting offers several benefits:
- Uses the patient’s own tissue — no synthetic material required
- Can enhance facial or body contour in a natural-looking way
- Helps reduce unwanted fat in donor areas
- May support skin quality and texture due to stem cell content in fat
Fat Grafting Candidates
Fat grafting may be considered for healthy individuals who wish to restore lost volume or improve contour in specific areas of the face or body using their own tissue. Ideal candidates typically have adequate donor fat available — often from areas such as the abdomen, flanks, or thighs — and are seeking subtle, natural-looking enhancement rather than dramatic size changes. Patients should have realistic expectations, be non-smokers or willing to stop smoking prior to surgery, and understand that a portion of the transferred fat may be absorbed over time. A thorough consultation is essential to determine whether this procedure aligns with each patient’s goals and overall anatomy.
The Fat Grafting Procedure
Fat grafting is performed in several steps. First, excess fat is gently harvested from an area such as the abdomen, thighs, or flanks using a refined liposuction technique. The fat is then cleansed to remove fluid, oils, and damaged cells. Finally, small amounts of the prepared fat are carefully injected into the target areas using fine cannulas. Dr. Orringer’s surgical planning prioritizes precision and aesthetic balance.
This procedure may be performed on its own or in combination with other facial or body procedures, such as facelift surgery or breast revision, depending on the patient’s needs.
What to Expect After Surgery
Some swelling and bruising is expected in both the donor and injection sites. Most patients are able to resume light activity within a few days, although full recovery and final results may take at least several weeks, depending upon the extent of the procedure. Dr. Orringer and his team provide detailed aftercare instructions and remain available to answer any questions that may arise during the healing process.
A portion of the transferred fat will be reabsorbed by the body during the first few months. This is an expected part of the process and to some degree, is accounted for during the initial treatment planning. More than one treatment may be desired to optimize final volume and result.
Schedule a Consultation
We proudly welcome patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Hollywood, Newport Beach, and Northern California, as well as nationally and internationally.
If you are considering facial or body fat grafting, we invite you to schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Orringer. During your visit, he will review your medical history, evaluate your goals, and determine whether fat grafting — or another procedure — may be the most effective option. Every treatment is customized with the goal of achieving a refined, natural outcome that aligns with each patient’s unique facial or body structure.
To learn more about your options, please contact Dr. Orringer today at 310-273-1663.
