Fat Grafting
in Toronto
Adding a bit of volume in the right spot can really change your body’s shape. Fat grafting uses your own fat to enhance areas such as the breasts or hips, or to smooth out uneven contours after surgery. At FORM Face + Body in Toronto, we look at how taking fat from one area and moving it to another will affect your overall shape. We plan your treatment based on your body and the results you want.
A consultation helps you see where fat can be taken from, what kind of changes are possible, and if another procedure might be a better fit for you.
Fat grafting, also known as fat transfer, moves living fat from one part of your body to another. We use liposuction to collect the fat, prepare it, and then place small amounts where you want more volume. This adds fullness without using implants or synthetic fillers. There are some limits to this procedure. You need to have enough donor fat, and the area receiving the fat must have a good blood supply. Some of the transferred fat is absorbed as you heal, so we can’t guarantee a specific volume increase. Fat grafting also does not remove loose skin or take the place of a lift if one is needed.
Enhance What Comes Naturally
Depending on your anatomy and the area being treated, fat grafting may:
Volume Where You Want It
The technique is similar for different areas, but the amount of fat needed and the results we aim for can vary.
Fat transfer breast augmentation can add a modest amount of fullness or smooth a part of the breast that looks uneven. It may also help refine the shape after a lift, reconstruction, or previous breast surgery. It can be useful when only one area needs more fullness.
For a larger size increase, implants may be more predictable. Composite breast augmentation combines implant volume with fat transfer to soften edges or refine shape.
Hip dips are natural curves between the pelvis and upper thighs. If you want a rounder shape, we may be able to add fat to these areas. The outcome depends on your bone structure, current fat, and how much tissue can hold the new fat.
Scars and Contour Irregularities
Surgery, injury, or past liposuction can leave dents or uneven areas. Fat grafting can help fill these spots. This technique is also used for reconstruction when soft tissue is missing or damaged. The quality of scars and nearby tissue will affect how much improvement is possible.
Fat grafting is not just for body contouring. We also offer information about hand rejuvenation and facial fat transfer for people who have lost volume in those areas.
The Right Fit for Your Body
You may be a good candidate if you are healthy, have enough donor fat, and want a realistic change in shape. We will look at your skin, any past surgeries, and how stable your weight is. Transferred fat changes with your weight, so big weight changes later can affect your results. Smoking and nicotine can slow healing and affect blood flow. Please let us know if you smoke, vape, or take any medications or supplements so we can check if they might affect your surgery or recovery.
When Might Fat Grafting Not Be the Right Choice?
If you’re very slim, you might not have enough donor fat for your goals. Implants may be a better choice if you want a bigger increase in breast size. If you have stretched or loose skin, a lift or skin-removal procedure might be a better option.
A Thoughtful Approach to Every Curve
We will look at both the donor and receiving areas together. Taking too much fat can cause unevenness, and adding too much fat can make it harder for the graft to survive. Past liposuction, scars, skin stretchiness, and natural differences all play a role in planning. We'll discuss what one surgery can do and compare fat transfer with implants or just liposuction. We'll also talk about recovery and whether you might need another fat grafting session.
From Harvesting to Healing
Fat grafting has three main steps. The type of anesthesia depends on how much surgery you need. Smaller transfers may use local anesthesia with sedation, while bigger procedures usually need general anesthesia. We will explain your plan before surgery.
First, we use liposuction to remove fat, usually from your abdomen, sides, waist, or thighs. A thin tube called a cannula goes through small cuts to collect the fat. We also plan how the donor area will look after the fat is removed.
We prepare the fat by removing extra fluid and other material. This leaves only the usable fat, which we then place carefully in the new area. The amount of fat we can use is less than what we remove during liposuction.
We place the prepared fat in small amounts throughout the area you want to enhance. Spreading it out helps the fat cells get a good blood supply. The right depth depends on the body part. We will explain the technique and how to care for yourself after the procedure.
Healing in Two Areas
Many people forget that you will be healing in two places: where the fat was taken and where it was added. Both areas can feel sore and swollen. You might also have bruising, firmness, or numbness for a while. The area that gets the fat often looks extra full at first because of swelling. Most people can do light activities after a few days and return to desk work in one to two weeks, but recovery may take longer if you have a bigger or combined surgery. You might need to wear a compression garment over the area where fat was removed. We will also explain how to avoid putting pressure on the area that received fat.
Built for the Long Term
Once the transferred fat survives, it becomes part of your body and can last for years. It'll still change if your weight changes. Losing weight may make the area smaller, and gaining weight may make it fuller. Your skin and body will also change as you age. Keeping your weight steady helps your results last longer.
Choosing the Right Approach
The best procedure for you depends on whether you want to add volume, remove fat, or tighten loose skin.
Fat transfer may be enough if you want a small breast enhancement or to fill a certain area. Breast implants give a more predictable size increase if you want a bigger change. Sometimes, we use both fat transfer and implants for the best result.
If you mainly want to reduce fullness around your waist, abdomen, or thighs, liposuction alone may be enough. Fat grafting is a good choice if you also want to add volume somewhere else. This means planning both the area where fat is taken and where it is added.
Fat grafting adds volume to an area but does not remove skin that has stretched after pregnancy or weight loss. A tummy tuck or body lift may be better if loose skin is your main concern. Sometimes, fat grafting can be added to another procedure to improve your shape.
A Plan Based on Your Goals
The cost depends on the donor and receiving areas, how much liposuction is needed, anesthesia, facility fees, and any other procedures done at the same time. A small correction costs less than breast enhancement. We will give you a detailed quote after we assess your body and talk about your plan.
Experience Guided by Judgment
At FORM Face + Body, we look at your overall body shape when planning fat grafting. We consider how removing fat will affect the donor area, where adding volume will make the most difference, and how much fat can be safely transferred. Our Toronto surgical team includes Dr. Ron Somogyi, who trained in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Toronto, and Dr. Cory Goldberg, a Royal College-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in breast and body contouring.
Our 23,000-square-foot FORM Campus in Midtown Toronto brings plastic surgery, aesthetic medicine, and wellness services together in one location. The campus includes an on-site Surgical Centre with three fully equipped operating rooms, allowing appropriate procedures to be performed right here at our practice. Having these services together also helps us coordinate your surgical preparation, treatment, and recovery. You'll have a team to guide you through your options, explain what fat transfer can realistically achieve, and help you plan for lasting results.
Yes. Fat grafting, fat transfer, and autologous fat transfer all describe moving your own fat from one area of the body to another. The fat is harvested, prepared, and placed where additional volume is needed.
Some fat is absorbed during healing. How much survives depends on the receiving area, surgical technique, and individual healing, so there isn't one reliable percentage for every patient.
Fat that survives can remain for years, although it will still change with your weight and natural aging. Some people choose another transfer later for added volume.
Possibly. We would need to see whether there's enough suitable donor fat for the result you want. Smaller corrections usually require less fat than breast enhancement.
Yes, but the increase is generally modest. If you're hoping for a larger or more predictable change in size, implants may be a better option.
It may soften their appearance by adding volume around the indentation. The result depends partly on your pelvis shape and how much fat can be transferred.
No. It adds volume but doesn't remove extra skin. If loose skin is the main concern, a lift or skin-removal procedure may make more sense.
The small incisions used for liposuction and fat placement can leave marks. We'll show you where they are likely to be based on the areas being treated.
Sometimes. Fat transfer can complement breast surgery or body contouring. Whether it's appropriate to combine procedures depends on your health, the surgical plan, and recovery needs.
One procedure may be enough. Others choose another session after healing if some volume has been lost or they want further refinement.
