Fat Transfer

A fat transfer, also known as fat grafting, is a treatment that uses your own fat to accentuate or rejuvenate different areas. This procedure can address volume loss associated with aging, weight loss, hormone fluctuations, and other factors; common treatment areas include the face, breasts, buttocks, hip dips, and hands.

Dr. Elie Levine of NYC Lipo is one of New York City’s leading liposuction and fat transfer experts. While fat transfers are a long-standing mainstay in plastic surgery, Dr. Levine has been performing and perfecting this technique since 2006, giving him extensive hands-on expertise with the nuances of fat harvesting, purification, and precise reinjection. His experience and fellowship training in both functional and cosmetic procedures give him a unique understanding of anatomy and the fat transfer process. He uses a special microdroplet technique, ensuring optimal fat cell survival and stunning results!

Call our NYC office at (800) 683-5476 or contact us online to book your consultation and explore your fat transfer possibilities. If you are traveling from outside of New York City, we can also help you plan your trip to make the process as smooth as possible.

About Fat Transfer

During fat transfer, Dr. Elie Levine removes fat cells from a donor site and reinjects them into areas on the face and/or body. Fat transfers have risen in popularity recently, as there are many benefits of using a patient’s own fat as the filler medium. ⁽¹⁾ In 2023, specialists performed more than 29,300 buttock augmentation procedures with fat grafting and more than 34,000 cosmetic facial fat grafting procedures. ⁽¹⁾ Unlike dermal fillers or implants that use synthetics, transferred fat is readily available, contributes to a natural appearance, minimizes the risk of allergic reaction, and simultaneously contours another part of the body with liposuction. ⁽²⁾ Fat transfers also provide longer-lasting volume increases than temporary fillers, as the fat that remains after a small percentage is absorbed remains in place permanently.

While fat transfer procedures are well-known for their ability to volumize and shape different areas of the face and body, there are also growth factors and stem cells found in fat that can significantly improve skin texture and tone, add a youthful glow, and contribute to an overall more rejuvenated look.

Dr. Elie Levine’s Microdroplet Technique

Dr. Elie Levine performs all fat transfer procedures with microdroplet techniques. These methods prioritize injecting smaller drops of fat into the targeted area rather than large amounts all at once. Microdroplet techniques enhance precision, leading to impressive results, and they allow for better fat retention rates!

Treatment Options

Facial Fat Transfer

Facial fat grafting can restore youthful volume to the face by softening wrinkles, filling hollow temples and under-eyes, smoothing marionette lines, and enhancing areas such as the cheeks, chin, and lips. ^(2,3) Unlike synthetic injectables, which only work temporarily, fat transfer can yield longer-lasting and more natural results.

Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation

A fat transfer can be used to augment the breasts instead of, or in conjunction with, implants. Dr. Elie Levine can inject the fat microdroplets into the breasts, distributing them evenly to ensure balanced results. When performed on its own, breast fat transfer can offer a more subtle cup size increase. However, Dr. Elie Levine can also perform fat grafting after placing implants to make them appear and feel more natural.

He can perform this procedure for cosmetic enhancement, but he also uses it for breast reconstruction. Adding fat to the breasts after a mastectomy or lumpectomy, or to correct a deformity, can help restore a more natural appearance. In many cases, reconstruction procedures are covered by insurance.

Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)

A Brazilian Butt Lift, or BBL, increases the volume of the buttocks with a fat transfer. ⁽²⁾ Fat is often taken from surrounding areas, such as the abdomen and/or thighs, to further accentuate an hourglass figure. Dr. Elie Levine is also experienced with the Skinny BBL technique, which requires extensive skill and an artistic eye. A Skinny BBL harvests smaller amounts of fat from different areas of the body to provide thinner patients with a more subtle but stunning enhancement.

Hand Rejuvenation

Hand rejuvenation creates more youthful-looking hands by replacing lost volume. Over time, volume loss in the hands can emphasize the appearance of the underlying veins and bones. Fat grafting adds extra volume to these areas to reduce the prominence of veins and wrinkles and make the hands look more youthful.

Cellulite Subcision

Fat transfer can also play a role in cellulite subcision, which is a minimally invasive procedure designed to smooth areas affected by cellulite dimpling. Dr. Elie Levine releases the septa bands beneath the skin using a narrow instrument, requiring only small, discreet incisions. After releasing the septa bands, Dr. Elie Levine can administer fat to the affected area, filling cellulite depressions and adding newfound smoothness—with the added benefit of skin rejuvenation thanks to the growth factors and stem cells within the fat!

Revision Procedures

Dr. Elie Levine sees many revision patients—these are patients who have undergone a previous procedure and are not satisfied with their results. For example, liposuction revision patients are often unhappy with uneven results that appear unnatural. Fat transfer can be used for a wide range of revision procedures, restoring harmony and filling in unwanted hollows or depressions.

Scar Treatment

Fat transfer is just one of Dr. Elie Levine’s methods for scar revision. He can inject fat into scarred areas on the face or body to restore smoothness and disguise depressions or marks. These types of procedures are sometimes covered by insurance. Dr. Elie Levine will provide more information about how insurance coverage might apply during the personal consultation.

Candidates

Suitable candidates for a fat transfer would typically like to increase volume in various parts of their body while avoiding the use of synthetic implants or fillers. Patients should have sufficient fat deposits to harvest from, be in good general health, and maintain realistic expectations for their results. Candidacy will be determined during your consultation with Dr. Elie Levine.

Consultation

During your consultation, Dr. Elie Levine will examine your proportions, listen to your goals, and discuss your treatment options. He will also explore your medical history, and with all the necessary information collected, he will create a personalized fat transfer treatment plan. He can also help you explore your insurance coverage options at this time, if applicable.

Patients are encouraged to discuss their goals openly and ask any questions they have about the procedure, as this meeting is time dedicated to planning a treatment that achieves their unique goals. If you would like to add additional procedures or contour various parts of your body during your fat transfer, this can be planned at this time.

Schedule your consultation today by submitting our online contact form. If you have any questions or would prefer to schedule over the phone, please call or text our office directly at (800) 683-5476.

Additionally, if you are traveling domestically or internationally to receive treatment at NYC Lipo, our team can help you make lodging and transportation arrangements to help things go smoothly.

Preparation

After establishing a treatment plan, Dr. Elie Levine will provide you with important preparation instructions. These can vary for each patient, but there are some common guidelines to consider:

Procedure

The first phase of a fat transfer procedure is liposuction. After anesthesia is administered, Dr. Elie Levine will make a small incision at the donor site and use a cannula to remove excess fat. This enhances the donor area in addition to the area to which you are transferring fat, creating the added benefit of body contouring. After harvesting fat and contouring your body as necessary, he will carefully close the donor sites with sutures.

The harvested fat is then processed to isolate the most viable cells and then prepared for reinjection. Dr. Elie Levine then uses his microdroplet technique to meticulously inject small amounts of fat into the targeted areas, ensuring optimal placement. Using microdroplets instead of large amounts of fat in this way leads to heightened accuracy and improved fat retention.

Recovery

Dr. Elie Levine’s pain management techniques leave patients with long-lasting pain relief that improves their comfort for days after treatment.

As you heal, you can expect temporary swelling, soreness, and mild bruising in both the donor and recipient areas. Patients tend to take it easy for about one to two weeks, depending on the areas treated, after which they can slowly resume their normal routines with Dr. Elie Levine’s approval.

If you undergo a facial fat transfer, you should keep your head elevated when reclining.

Patients who are traveling from out of town will be cleared at a prescheduled follow-up appointment before going home.

Revision Liposuction

Patients who received liposuction in the past and are unsatisfied with their results can receive a fat transfer to achieve their desired results. Dr. Elie Levine sees many revision patients for all types of procedures; patients trust him to achieve long-lasting results that they can feel comfortable and confident about. His fat transfer techniques can help to smooth divots, improve asymmetry, and address other liposuction complications. If you have any questions about liposuction revision, Dr. Elie Levine will discuss them with you during your consultation.

Corresponding Procedures

Multiple techniques and procedures can be incorporated into a fat transfer treatment to enhance your results and/or simultaneously address other appearance concerns.

BodyTite

BodyTite is one of Dr. Elie Levine’s favorite procedures! Patients receiving this treatment see spectacular results through his expertise. He is a nationally recognized BodyTite expert; as a company luminary, Dr. Elie Levine also trains practitioners nationwide on safe and effective BodyTite techniques. This innovative technique emits radiofrequency (RF) energy while it removes fat. This energy causes the surrounding tissues to tighten and contract.

FaceTite

FaceTite uses the same RF technology as BodyTite, but it is specifically designed to address concerns on the face and neck. Patients who are burdened with submental fullness (“double chins”) or other unwanted fat on or above their necks can effectively remove it to sculpt a leaner profile and sharper jawline while simultaneously tightening and rejuvenating their skin.

Lipo 360

Dr. Elie Levine specializes in Lipo 360, also known as liposuction 360 or circumferential liposuction. This comprehensive procedure addresses fat deposits around the entire torso, and it can also address deposits on the arms, chest, thighs, calves, and more. This procedure can be customized to your specific desires to remove fat in multiple parts during one procedure.

Breast Lift

Also known as a mastopexy, the breast lift is a powerful lifting procedure that raises and rejuvenates ptotic and deflated breasts. A combined breast augmentation and lift is popular among women seeking to restore a perky appearance to their breasts while also replacing lost volume. This can effectively be performed alongside a fat transfer breast augmentation to sculpt youthful, firm breasts.

Mommy Makeover

The mommy makeover is a comprehensive procedure that combines multiple techniques to help women address multiple body changes that occur during pregnancy. Typical mommy makeovers are combinations of liposuction, tummy tucks, breast augmentations, and/or breast lifts.

Cost of a Fat Transfer in NYC

The cost of a fat transfer will depend on your specific treatment plan. Dr. Elie Levine and Dr. Jody Levine will provide you with a comprehensive price quote during your consultation. Out-of-town patients can receive an estimated quote before they embark on their trip, and some may be eligible for insurance coverage as well.

Schedule your consultation today to begin exploring your fat transfer options. If you have any further questions, please call or text our Manhattan office at (800) 683-5476.

References

1. American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
2. 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
3. Schultz KP, Raghuram A, Davis MJ, Abu-Ghname A, Chamata E, Rohrich RJ. Fat Grafting for Facial Rejuvenation. Seminars in Plastic Surgery. 2020;34(01):030-037. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0039-3402767