Lipofilling, also known as fat transfer, is a minimally invasive procedure that enhances the body or face using fat from elsewhere on the body to add volume, smooth contours, or correct any irregularities. For people seeking natural results in areas like the breasts or buttocks, lipofilling at the Harley Clinic offers a solution that is personalised for each patient.
What is Lipofilling?
The purpose of lipofilling is to transform your appearance by transferring fat from areas like the abdomen or thighs to enhance the breasts, buttocks, cheeks, or hands. For those seeking natural enhancement through procedures like Brazilian Butt Lift or lipofilling breast augmentation, it’s the ideal procedure.
At the Harley Clinic, our surgeons utilise advanced liposuction techniques to harvest fat, purify it, and inject it elsewhere in the body with precision. This ensures the process is smooth and creates lasting results with minimal scarring. It can address asymmetry, restore volume lost due to ageing, correct scars, or support post-mastectomy reconstruction.
Unlike implants, lipofilling makes use of tissue from the patient’s own body, which reduces risk and enhances comfort. Ideal candidates for the procedure are healthy, have sufficient fat, and want subtle outcomes, which can often be complemented by abdominal etching and similar treatments.
To explore how lipofilling can help you, book a consultation today.
Fat Transfer (Lipofilling): Quick Overview
- Surgery Time: 1-2 hours
- Anaesthetic: General
- Hospital Stay: Day
- Dressings and Garments: 6 weeks
- Time Off Work: 1 week
- Exercise: 4-6 Weeks
- Mobile: Immediately
- Washing: Shower after 1 day
- Sleeping Position: on you back for 2 weeks
- Full Recovery: 6 weeks
Why Choose the Harley Clinic for Lipofilling?
Located on Harley Street, London, the Harley Clinic offers renowned expertise in lipofilling, delivering natural results that meet the desires of our patients. Our board-certified surgeons, trained in advanced fat grafting, use state-of-the-art technology to maintain a high level of precision and minimal scarring.
We also excel in procedures like lipofilling breast augmentation and complementary treatments such as tummy tuck or mummy makeover. We prioritise patient safety, making use of rigorous pre-surgical assessments and detailed consultations before and after the procedure takes place. Our team provides personalised support, from the first meeting to the end of recovery.
Read more about us here.
What Happens During Lipofilling Surgery?
The lipofilling procedure typically lasts a couple of hours and is meticulously planned:
- During a consultation, your surgeon will identify donor sites, such as the abdomen or thighs, and target areas, such as the breasts or face.
- Under general or local anaesthetic, fat is harvested using VASER liposuction or traditional liposuction via 3-5mm incisions.
- Using centrifugation or filtering, fat is purified, and the high-quality tissue is isolated.
- The purified fat is then injected into the target area in small amounts for even, natural enhancement.
- Smooth recovery is ensured with strict post-procedure care and the use of minimal incisions which heal without sutures.
Potential Lipofilling Risks and Complications
Lipofilling is safe with skilled surgeons, but potential risks include:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Swelling
- Fat reabsorption
- Contour irregularities
Most issues will resolve, so long as proper care is taken after the procedure. Serious complications are extremely rare. Our team will monitor your recovery to ensure ongoing safety and satisfaction.
Lipofilling Recovery Results & Aftercare
Once the lipofilling procedure is finished, expect mild swelling and bruising for a few days, managed with a compression garment worn for 6 weeks to support healing. We recommend taking a week off work and avoiding exercise for 4-6 weeks, sleeping on your back for 2 weeks.
For lipofilling breast augmentation, extra care ensures fat integration. You’ll see results starting to appear within 4 weeks, with full results visible by 3-6 months. To support your recovery and enhance results, maintain a balanced diet, stay hydrated, and avoid smoking to support fat survival.
Our aftercare includes incision care, activity guidelines, and detailed follow-ups to optimise your outcomes, which is especially important in complex cases like post-mastectomy reconstruction.
Patient Results
Where Can You Use Fat Transfer on the Body?
Using the body’s fat cells, you can use fat grafting techniques on several parts of the body to improve contours and smooth out the skin’s appearance.
Fat transfer surgery is used on the following areas:
- Breasts
- Buttocks
- Lips
- Cheeks
- Face
- Hands
- Improve the appearance of scars
Breast Fat Transfer
Fat transfer breast augmentation surgery uses the patient’s own fat via liposuction to enhance and enlarge the breasts. The procedure uses fat grafting techniques and eliminates the need for implants to create a natural bust. If you’re self-conscious about your breast size or shape, breast augmentation can help increase self-confidence and improve the contours of the breast.
The surgery is performed under general anaesthetic and takes up to 3 hours. Your plastic surgeon carefully removes excess fat from unwanted areas like the thighs, stomach, or waist during the procedure. The fat is then transferred to the breasts to boost volume and improve the overall shape. The surgery has two phases: the liposuction phase and the fat injection phase. Your surgeon will use tiny injection sites to distribute the fat evenly into your breasts.
You can also use fat grafting techniques to optimise breast shape during a breast implant procedure. If you have irregularities after breast implants, fat transfer can help fill in the irregularities and produce a smoother, more optimal shape.
If you find that you have breast defects following a lumpectomy for breast cancer, fat grafting techniques can help to fill in these defects. Fat grafting may also be an option for total breast reconstruction following a mastectomy.
Brazilian Butt Lift
The Brazilian butt lift is also known as butt augmentation. The objective of the procedure is to enhance the bum and size in a way that’s not too invasive. The procedure uses fat transfer to the buttocks. This means that fat is taken from one part of the body, like your thighs, and transferred into the bum. The procedure aims to improve shape and fullness.
BBL is a popular procedure for those seeking to lift the butt and enhance the contours of the body. A Brazilian butt lift is a way to improve your bum using fat transfer. What this means is that your surgeon uses fat grafting techniques to remove fat from one part of your body and injects it into the bum. Your surgeon uses only the highest quality of fat.
Only the highest quality fat cells are injected into the buttocks. The fat is harvested, purified, and prepared for grafting before being injected into the body. This method has surpassed traditional techniques like implants to create more natural-looking results and fullness in recent years.
The surgery is divided into three stages:
- The fat is removed from the body using cannula tubes.
- The fat cells are washed and prepared
- The fat is injected back into the body.
It’s important to know that a Brazilian Butt lift comes with its own unique risks. It’s a very complex surgery that requires expert knowledge and experience to perform. There is a high number of post-op incidents with this procedure. This is because the treatment is very popular, and some surgeons who are not qualified are performing the procedure for an attractive price.
Lipofilling FAQs
How long does lipofilling recovery take?
Recovery typically takes 4-6 weeks, with most patients able to resume work after 1 week. Healing is supported with a compression garment that needs to be worn for 6 weeks.
How painful is lipofilling?
The procedure itself is performed under general anaesthesia, so you won’t feel any pain during it. Afterwards, some mild discomfort is normal and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. Bruising, swelling, and numbness in the treated areas can be expected.
Is lipofilling safe?
Lipofilling is safe when performed by skilled surgeons, like the ones at the Harley Clinic, with minimal risks like infection or fat reabsorption. Our team ensures safety through advanced techniques and close monitoring.
Are lipofilling results permanent?
Results are long-lasting, though 30-40% of fat may not survive. Additional sessions may enhance outcomes.
Further Fat Transfer Reading:
- Dark Circles Treatment: Fat Transfer to the Face
- What is Fat Transfer Surgery and How Does it Work?
- Breast Augmentation: Implants vs Fat Transfer
- 6 Fat Transfer Recovery Tips for Great Results
- Who is a Good Candidate for Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation?
- Fat Transfer After 5 Years: How Long Do Results Really Last?
- How Much Fat Survives After Fat Transfer Surgery?
- Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation: How Many Cup Sizes Can You Increase?