Fat Transfer (Grafting)
in Seattle, WA
An unbalanced body or facial contour isn’t always caused by excess fat or loose skin. In many cases, aesthetic concerns develop when certain areas lose natural fat due to aging, significant weight changes, or certain medical treatments. This lack of volume can affect the shape of the breasts, face, or other areas, making it harder to achieve a fuller, more youthful appearance.
For patients bothered by deflated breasts, hollow cheeks, or other depleted areas, fat transfer can help sculpt and restore the contours you’re missing. At Puget Plastic Surgery, Dr. Gougoutas offers advanced fat transfer techniques for the breasts, face, or other appropriate areas to provide subtle, natural-looking enhancement using your body’s own fat.
Get In TouchTable of Contents
- See Results From Actual Patients: Fat Transfer Before & After Pictures
- What Our Patients Have to Say: Fat Transfer Testimonials
- Fat Transfer Cost in Seattle
- Why Choose Dr. Alexander Gougoutas for Your Fat Transfer in Seattle?
- Book Your Fat Transfer Consultation Today
- What Is Fat Transfer?
- Benefits of Fat Transfer
- Am I a Good Candidate for Fat Transfer?
- How Is Fat Transfer Performed?
- How to Prepare for Fat Transfer
- Fat Transfer Recovery & Aftercare
- What Results Can I Expect From Fat Transfer?
- Fat Transfer FAQs
See Results From Actual Patients: Fat Transfer Before & After Pictures
The patient pictured below had a bilateral breast reconstruction with implants. Contour irregularities on the surface of the breasts were improved with 2 rounds of fat grafting. Preoperative photos are pictured in (A). 4 month post-operative photos are pictured in (B).
What Our Patients Have to Say: Fat Transfer Testimonials
“I had a double breast augmentation with fat transfers…I felt that Dr. G’s methodology for choosing my size was very helpful and quite literally hands on, and it gave me the ability to choose a size i feel is absolutely perfect for me”
– P.G., Google review
“Dr. Gougoutas performed my breast augmentation w/ fat transfer flawlessly. My results are amazing…” – N.O., Google review
“He was kind and considerate as he listened to what I was looking for and my concerns. We went with a fat transfer to breast and I have been thrilled with the results.”
– C.P., Google review
Fat Transfer Cost in Seattle
Fat transfer cost in Seattle is largely based on the surgeon’s experience, the amount of fat being transferred, geographic location, anesthesia and facility fees, and other factors.
Dr. Gougoutas tailors your fat transfer procedure to your unique anatomy, needs, and aesthetic goals. The average price for fat transfer surgeries in Dr. Gougoutas’ practice starts at $3,500 for breast fat grafting and $4,200 for facial fat grafting. Your final cost will ultimately depend on the number of areas treated, the extent of your treatment, any additional procedures, and other specific details of your treatment plan.
Why Choose Dr. Alexander Gougoutas for Your Fat Transfer in Seattle?
As a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Alexander Gougoutas brings extensive expertise in complex contouring and reconstructive surgery. His philosophy is rooted in patient safety, comfort, and thoughtful care.
With advanced surgical techniques and a modern practice, Dr. Gougoutas creates customized treatment plans that deliver natural-looking results, balanced proportions, and a smooth recovery. This approach is what sets his breast and face fat transfer techniques apart in the field of body contouring. Whether performing multi-area refinement or subtle enhancement, Dr. Gougoutas combines technical precision with a warm, compassionate understanding of each patient’s goals.
At Puget Plastic Surgery, treatment involves more than surgery. From consultation through recovery, you can expect an emphasis on communication, individualized planning, and expert support that caters to your needs.
Book Your Fat Transfer Consultation Today
Since the extent of fat transfer varies from patient to patient, treatment is highly customized. Take the next step toward your rejuvenated, youthful contour by scheduling a personalized consultation with Dr. Alexander Gougoutas and his team. Get started today by calling (206) 320-6138 or completing our online contact form.
What Is Fat Transfer?
Fat transfer, or fat grafting, is a cosmetic procedure that combines body contouring with natural volume enhancement. During treatment, Dr. Gougoutas uses liposuction to remove excess fat from a donor site, such as the abdomen, back, flanks, hips, thighs, and other areas. This fat is then carefully purified and injected into the desired area to restore subtle, natural-looking fullness.
This minimally invasive procedure can smooth the skin and improve areas affected by volume loss, hollowing, or a lack of contour by adding fat to areas where additional softness or shape is desired. Since the transferred fat comes from your own body, there is also no risk of rejection, and very low risk of other adverse adverse reactions.
Benefits of Fat Transfer
Fat transfer is not localized to one area of the body, as this versatile procedure can enhance different areas that benefit from a volume boost. Dr. Gougoutas specializes in fat transfer for the breasts and face, focusing on natural-looking enhancement.
For the breasts, fat transfer may be performed alongside a breast revision or breast lift (mastopexy) to provide a moderate increase in breast size, avoiding the need for implants. During a breast augmentation, fat transfer may be performed to blend the implants in with the surrounding breast tissue or selectively enhance certain areas of the breast, commonly the cleavage region and upper pole. It’s also often used during breast reconstructive surgery for additional volume and smoothing.
For the face, fat transfer may be used to add volume to face hollows around the forehead, temples, undereyes, cheeks, lips, or other facial grooves. It’s often combined with facelifts and neck lifts, providing much longer-lasting volume and natural results than facial fillers.
Other treatment areas include:
- Hands: Fat is redistributed to the back of your hand to address age-related volume loss and soften prominent veins or tendons.
- Scar indents: Fat is injected under a scar indent to improve its appearance.
Am I a Good Candidate for Fat Transfer?
Ideal candidates for breast and facial fat transfer should have sufficient fat in select donor areas to achieve the desired fullness and shape. Patients should also:
- Have experienced volume loss
- Be in good overall health
- Maintain a stable weight
- Be nonsmokers or willing to quit before and after surgery
- Be realistic about their surgical expectations
Breast fat transfer is best suited for patients seeking a mild or moderate increase in breast size, not a significant enlargement. Similarly, ideal facial fat transfer patients should only expect softer, more subtle enhancements rather than sharper definition.
Dr. Gougoutas will evaluate your anatomy, BMI, treatment goals, donor fat availability, and medical history to determine whether breast and facial fat transfer is the best approach for you.
How Is Fat Transfer Performed?
Fat transfer for the breasts involves harvesting fat through liposuction and injecting it into your desired areas. The procedure begins with collecting fat from a selected donor area, such as the abdomen, back, thighs, or other area with available fatty tissue. This fat is then processed, being placed into small syringes and injected into targeted areas of the breasts with very small, blunt needles. This adds fullness, symmetry, and contour using your own fat cells.
Facial fat transfer procedures follow a nearly identical process. Once the fat is harvested and purified, it’s injected into targeted areas of the face, such as the cheeks, temples, undereyes, nasolabial folds, or other sunken, hollow areas. This restores softness, removes grooves, and improves overall facial harmony typically with way less volumes than is required for the breasts.
How to Prepare for Fat Transfer
After a thorough medical evaluation of your treatment goals, medical history, possible donor areas, and more, Dr. Gougoutas may instruct you to stop smoking, avoid certain supplements, and pause medications that thin the blood.
Patients should maintain a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle prior to surgery to facilitate a safer procedure and smoother recovery. It may also help to prepare for the recovery process by arranging transportation, setting up a proper space, picking up any approved medications, and having comfortable clothing ready. Dr. Gougoutas will provide detailed pre-operative instructions and guidelines based on your health and body.
Fat Transfer Recovery & Aftercare
Recovery following fat transfer will depend on the treated areas, the amount of fat removed, the extent of the surgery, and whether any additional procedures were performed. Regardless of the treatment area, patients should expect varying degrees of temporary swelling, bruising, soreness, and tenderness around the donor area and injection site. These effects typically improve over the first several weeks.
Breast fat transfer may lead to greater swelling and soreness for up to three weeks, as it typically involves a larger amount of transferred fat. You may be instructed to wear a compression garment or other protective dressing to minimize swelling and protect the fat as it settles. While gentle movements are encouraged to promote circulation, it’s vital to avoid excessively strenuous activity for the next several weeks.
Meanwhile, recovery from facial fat transfer focuses on swelling and bruising around the face, especially in delicate areas like the undereyes and temples. Since facial fat transfer involves smaller amounts of injected fat, recovery may feel less extensive than breast fat transfer. While patients feel comfortable returning to work and normal activities around a week after surgery, bruising and swelling around the donor area may take about 10-14 days to improve. Strenuous exercise should still be avoided until you’re cleared by Dr. Gougoutas.
Dr. Gougoutas will provide you with detailed post-operative instructions based on your treatment plan, including:
- Aftercare for incision sites and donor areas
- When to resume exercise and intense activity
- When to attend follow-up visits
What Results Can I Expect From Fat Transfer?
While some improvement may be apparent immediately after surgery, your final results may take up to three months to fully settle in. When final results appear, you will see a more defined, voluminous contour in your desired area.
Fat transfer results are typically long-lasting. However, it’s important to note that some of the transferred fat is naturally absorbed by your body during recovery. Your early results may appear fuller initially, but they typically soften and settle into a more natural-looking contour over time.
Your newly improved contours are best maintained through an active lifestyle and healthy diet, as significant weight loss or gain can affect or reverse your results.
Fat Transfer FAQs
Does fat transfer involve anesthesia?
Generally, fat transfer is performed using local anesthesia. However, this depends on the extent of fat removal or any additional procedures in your customized treatment plan. In such cases, general anesthesia may be used to ensure optimal safety and comfort.
What does scarring look like after fat transfer?
Depending on the surgical technique, Dr. Gougoutas typically removes fat through existing incisions from previous surgeries or through multiple small incisions measuring three to four mm, leaving minimal scarring. Fat injection is then performed through small, blunt needles less than 1 mm that leave a nearly invisible scar.
Can breast fat transfer replace implants?
Breast fat transfer can be an effective alternative to breast implants for patients who want more subtle, softer adjustments in fullness and volume. Patients seeking more noticeable enlargement may be better suited for implants.
Is facial fat transfer better than dermal fillers?
This depends on your goals, anatomy, and comfort with surgery. Dermal fillers are an ideal option for patients seeking a non-surgical treatment with less downtime, more immediate results, and the flexibility to make adjustments over time. However, patients typically need frequent touch-ups. Facial fat transfer, on the other hand, produces a more involved recovery process, and results may take longer to appear. However, it restores lost facial volume using your body’s natural fat, offering long-lasting results.
Are fat transfer results permanent?
You should expect some initial volume loss after fat transfer, as the body absorbs about 30%of the transferred fat. The remaining fat, specifically the amount still there after three months, will provide long-lasting enhancement. However, large changes in weight may still cause the remaining fat cells to shrink or enlarge.
Will I need more than one fat grafting session?
Due to the initial fat absorption, you may need additional fat grafting procedures to achieve your desired volume. During your consultation, Dr. Gougoutas will give you a clearer idea of how many rounds you may need based on your health and needs.
Schedule Your Fat Transfer Consultation in Seattle, WA, Today
Refreshing your facial contour or rejuvenating your breast volume doesn’t have to involve an overwhelming procedure. Fat transfer can provide the refinement and definition you need to help you feel confident in your body. Dr. Alexander Gougoutas is a board-certified plastic surgeon with decades of experience and training in aesthetic and reconstructive surgeries. Whether it’s fat transfer for the breast or face, Dr. Gougoutas will compassionately help you navigate your options.
Schedule your personalized consultation with Dr. Gougoutas and the team at Puget Plastic Surgery to understand more about fat transfer for the breasts, face, or other areas. To get in touch with us, call (206) 320-6138 or fill out our online contact form.