A fat transfer, also known as a fat graft, is a powerful tool used by skilled plastic surgeons like Dr. Marc Everett to use excess fat from unwanted areas of the body to enhance areas where one might wish to have more volume. The procedure is performed by using a special form of liposuction that minimizes trauma to the fat cells extracted in order to optimize the survival in the new location. The fat that is transferred is permanent and becomes a living part of your body, and will behave like the rest of your fat may, increasing and decreasing naturally with your weight.
The procedure involves removing fat from the selected areas of the body, the fat is then processed so that only the cleanest and purest product remains, and then it is intentionally injected into the areas of the body selected by you for augmentation. The target areas for treatment are many, with the most common places being the breast, buttocks, hips, lips, and other areas of the face, top of the hands, and areas affected by tissue loss from trauma or poorly performed liposuction. The procedure is customizable and well-tolerated, making it an effective option for patients who wish to improve their appearance without other injectables or implants. Fat grafting has helped thousands of patients enhance their figures, and in 2023, specialists performed the procedure more than 34,200 times. (1)
Dr. Marc Everett is a board-certified plastic surgeon with decades of experience, and he is well known as the premier breast specialist in New York City. With customizable body enhancement procedures, he can address multiple areas of the body during a single procedure. At The Everett Clinic, we have helped many patients improve their self-confidence and achieve their ideal physique. Our treatments are designed to enhance your natural beauty based on your unique underlying anatomy and provide lasting results to improve your quality of life.
Contact our offices in Manhattan or Queens or call (212) 774-7715 to learn more about how a fat transfer can help you achieve your body goals.
Contents
About Fat Transfer
Fat grafting can balance your proportions by removing unwanted fat from the body and using it to add natural-looking volume to other areas of your body. Irregular contours of the body, whether they are natural or happen over time, can affect your self-esteem, the way your body appears to others, how your clothing fits and the way your make-up appears in different light and photos. With a fat grafting treatment, Dr. Everett can improve the appearance of the breasts, buttocks, and many other areas to accentuate your curves and restore lost volume. The treatment can balance your proportions with inconspicuous hidden incisions and without the trouble of implants for natural-looking results that can last indefinitely.
Fat Transfer Treatments
Liposuction Portion of the Procedure
During a liposuction procedure, Dr. Everett administers tumescent fluid—a combination of saline, lidocaine, and epinephrine that causes the space being treated to expand and allow for fat cells to swell for easy removal with minimal bleeding and trauma. The solution also minimizes recovery time. Next, he will remove the pockets of excess fat with a specialized technique assisted by suction. Depending on the target area for injection, the fat is then processed in one of several different specialized manners, and then only the purest parts are reinjected and reinjected the purest fat cells for smooth, natural-looking results.
Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer
Breast augmentation with fat transfer has exploded in popularity and Dr. Everett now performs as many of these procedures as he does breast augmentations with implants. The procedure is ideal for modest increases in breast size or to restore lost volume after breastfeeding or weight loss. This procedure can also enhance the appearance of your cleavage and address asymmetry with hidden scarring and minimal downtime. Best of all, the enhancement is performed using all of your own tissue and you never have to worry about the responsibilities of having an implant. Unlike most other surgeons who treat breast fat transfer the same way as they do other fat transfer procedures, Dr. Everett believes it is essential to use only the cleanest, purest fat for transfer and is injected in small amounts at a time for the smoothest results. Dr. Everett uses purification devices like Viality (2) to wash and separate impurities from the fat before reinjection. (3) However, if you want a larger size increase, Dr. Everett will still likely recommend implants, and he can discuss the best treatment plan for your goals during your consultation.
Hip Dips
Hip dips, colloquially known as violin hips, are pockets of tissue on the sides of the hips that have lost volume. The volume loss creates a curved appearance that causes the hips to appear to slant inward. A fat transfer can create a smoother, more balanced appearance.
Butt Augmentation
A Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is a procedure that increases the volume of your buttocks for a smoother, rounded look. If you lost volume from aging, genetics, or weight changes, Dr. Everett can sculpt the buttocks with a fat transfer for a more youthful-looking figure. Fat grafting is a more natural alternative to implants and allows us to offer personalized results based on your unique anatomy.
Lip Augmentation
In his practice, Dr. Everett has entirely replaced the use of lip implants with lip augmentation with fat injections. This procedure results in a customizable level of appearance ranging from subtle (to just increase the visible lip to show off more lipstick), to fuller (to reduce creases from smoking and aging), to reshape the lip line for beautiful results. Best of all, unlike a silicone implant which has a risk for complications and may need to be removed at some point, the volume from fat transfer is permanent and remains soft and natural feeling.
Facial Volume Replenishment
Part of the natural aging process involves the loss of fat volume from the face. This loss of fat volume is part of what causes skin to sag and depressions and creases to form. This effect can be intensified with flash-photography or at Zoom conferences. If the surfaces of your face have fat loss, it will also affect how your makeup appears.
You’ve all heard of “Ozempic Face” by now. Unfortunately, when we lose the fat we want to lose, sometimes we also lose the fat we want to keep. GLP-1 medications have revolutionized weight management and improved clothing options, but they have also resulted in unwanted facial fat.
With a selective microfat transfer, Dr. Everett can volumize the lips and face to improve your appearance after aging or weight loss.
Skin Tightening
Renuvion skin tightening, also known as J-Plasma, is another powerful tool that Dr. Everett can pair with liposuction to enhance their figures. Excess fat can stretch the skin, resulting in laxity or a deflated look. Renuvion is a gentle treatment that tightens the skin with radiofrequency and plasma-rich helium, causing the skin to contract. It triggers the body’s natural healing process (neocollagenesis) to optimize skin tightness for long-lasting results after liposuction.
Candidates
Suitable candidates for a fat transfer must have enough donor fat cells for the procedure. If you wish to improve the appearance of your buttocks, breasts, hips, lips or other areas, a fat transfer can help you achieve stunning results. We can perform a fat transfer on almost any area of the body, and common donor areas include the hips, abdomen, and thighs. The best candidates for a fat transfer are:
- Nonsmokers or willing to quit smoking temporarily
- In good overall health
- Able to take good care of their bodies
You must have realistic expectations about the results you can achieve with a fat grafting procedure. Although a fat transfer can address volume loss, it cannot reduce the appearance of sagging skin. If you recently lost weight, skin laxity is a common issue that can affect the entire body. (4) If you want to address skin laxity, we can discuss additional procedures.
Consultation
During your consultation, Dr. Everett will ask about your goals, expectations, and medical history to create a personalized treatment plan. He will ask about your medications, perform a physical examination, and discuss your aesthetic goals.
If you do not have enough donor fat for a fat grafting procedure, we can discuss implants and/or alternative injectables to help you achieve natural-looking volume.
To learn more about the additional treatments we offer, read our blog!
How to Prepare for a Fat Transfer
To prepare for a fat transfer, you must stop taking medications and supplements that thin your blood. You will also need to eat healthy meals, stay hydrated, and get adequate sleep (7-8 hours each night). If you smoke, you must stop temporarily since smoking can affect your results. Avoiding excessive sun exposure and wearing sunscreen to protect your skin is also important.
You should arrange for a trusted adult to drive you home after your procedure. If Dr. Everett prescribes medications for recovery, we recommend that you pick them up before your procedure. Many patients also prepare their meals and run errands ahead of time for a smoother recovery.
Treatment Process
The treatment process has a lot of variation depending on what your goals are. Depending on the extent of the liposuction and fat grafting, the procedure may be performed under either general anesthesia, IV sedation or awake with local anesthesia. The incisions for this procedure are between the size of a single needle stick and up to the eraser head of a pencil. All incisions are chosen to be placed in areas that will best hide even these tiny openings.
Dr. Everett will use a small cannula to remove the excess fat and purify it by one of several different methods, chosen to create the best type of fat cells for reinjection depending on the location for the transfer. (3) Next, he will administer the purified fat in areas where you would like to add natural-looking volume. After the surgery is completed, we will monitor you in our recovery room until Dr. Everett clears you to go home.
After Your Treatment
After the monitoring period, you can return home to rest. You may experience temporary swelling or bruising in the donor or recipient area(s). Dr. Everett can provide specific instructions for your recovery to help your body heal. If you have any discomfort, you can alleviate it with medications and a cold compress.
You must wear recovery garments for several weeks afterward to help your body heal properly and reduce swelling. You must also limit strenuous activity for several weeks while your body heals. Keeping your treatment areas clean and taking your medication as prescribed will be important for optimizing your recovery.
Results
The results of a fat transfer vary depending on your specific treatment plan. Most patients notice that their self-confidence improves after achieving their aesthetic goals. Patients can enjoy long-lasting results as long as they maintain a stable weight. Using your own fat to improve the volume of your skin provides natural-looking enhancements that you can enjoy for many years to come.
The Cost of Fat Transfer in NYC
The cost of a fat transfer will depend on your personalized treatment plan and whether or not you need additional treatments for your aesthetic goals. We can discuss the best plan for your needs and provide an all-inclusive quote to help you improve your appearance.
Contact our offices in Manhattan or Queens or call (212) 774-7715 to learn more about how a fat transfer can improve your quality of life and restore your self-confidence.
FAQ
How long will a fat transfer take?
This will depend on the size of the treatment area and the amount of fat you would like to transfer. During your consultation, we can discuss the best treatment plan for your needs.
Does a fat transfer require incisions?
Yes, we will need to make a small incision to perform liposuction and remove the excess fat from the donor area. The small incision is typically only 1.5 cm long.
How soon can I enjoy the results of a fat transfer?
You may experience some swelling or skin irritation after a fat transfer. Although you can enjoy an improvement right away, it can take several weeks for the fat to settle into your body.
Will I lose fat over time after a fat transfer?
Weight fluctuations and other factors can affect your results. If you experience changes to your appearance, we can help you maintain your results with a touch-up appointment.
Can I combine a fat transfer with other procedures?
Yes, we can discuss including other body enhancement procedures as part of your treatment plan. During your consultation, we will ask about your aesthetic goals to determine the best treatment plan for your needs.
References
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner.; 2023. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
- Viality Enhanced Viability Fat Transfer | Tiger Aesthetics. Tiger Aesthetics. Published December 30, 2024. Accessed March 7, 2025. https://tiger-aesthetics.com/unique-regenerative-aesthetics-products/viality-enhanced-viability-fat-transfer/
- Shauly O, Gould DJ, Ghavami A. Fat Grafting: Basic Science, Techniques, and Patient Management. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2022;10(3):e3987. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000003987
- Boswell CB. Body Contouring Following Massive Weight Loss. Missouri Medicine. 2010;107(3):189-194. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6188338/