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Fat transfer is one of the most popular body contouring cosmetic procedures. The procedure allows patients to remove fat from one part of their body, then reuse that fat to naturally augment another part of their body. Frequently, patients find this procedure useful in adding more volume to their buttocks. It can also be used to restore volume to parts of the body that tend to lose it with age, such as the hands or face.
Recovery:
1 week
Cost:
Starts at $3K
Results:
3 months
About Fat Transfer
A fat transfer is a procedure that utilizes the body’s own fat for augmenting features including the buttocks, lips, cheeks, and hands. It also has the added benefit of slimming down the parts of the body where the patient has excess fat, including the abdomen or thighs. Fat transfer is also sometimes called fat grafting because the process involves transplanting fat from one part of the body to another part. For these reasons, the procedure can help give the body an enhanced proportion and contour.
A fat transfer procedure involves three steps where fat cells are:
- Liposuctioned from the body for contouring
- Purified to separate the fat from the liquid portion
- Reinjected into the body for augmentation
A fat transfer is an extremely safe procedure since it utilizes fat from the patient’s own fat cells. This means that there is no chance for an allergic reaction. Furthermore, the results appear natural and are long-lasting.
Read for more about the benefits of this innovative procedure and how our patients are using it to achieve their dream body! Our office is located just 12.7 miles away from Washington DC and 4.9 miles away from Potomac, MD, so we are conveniently located to serve the areas of Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Ideal Candidates
Good candidates for a fat transfer are those who are interested in naturally augmenting parts of their body, such as their buttocks, hands, or face, and slim another part. In order to perform a successful fat transfer, candidates should have areas of localized fat deposits suitable for liposuction. Candidates should be at a stable weight, but wish to proportion some of their body fat that is not responding to diet or exercise.
Candidates should have realistic expectations of what can be achieved through a fat injection procedure. They should also be healthy and possess the ability to heal properly following treatment. In order to determine one’s candidacy for a fat transfer procedure, please request a consultation with Dr. Jabs, Dr. Richards, or Dr. Magge at our Maryland or Virginia office.
Common Fat Transfer Procedures
Brazilian Butt Lift
With the increased popularity of voluptuous buttocks, the Brazilian butt lift procedure has also gained recent popularity. The procedure adds shape and volume to the buttocks without the need for implants or other synthetic materials. During a Brazilian butt lift procedure, the fat is often taken from the lower back or love handles. This helps increase the apparent size of the buttocks in relation to the waist and produces an attractive hourglass figure.
Hand Rejuvenation
The hands have the ability to reveal one’s age. With time, wrinkles form and the hands lose volume, leading way to overly prominent tendons and veins. Dermal fillers are one way to combat this loss of volume. However, these treatments are not permanent – typically lasting less than a year. For more long-term results that have the added benefit of utilizing organic material from the patient’s own body, fat grafting may be the ideal solution. Fat transfers to the hands can restore volume to areas where volume was lost and smooth out wrinkled areas.
Facial Rejuvenation
A facial fat transfer is a procedure commonly employed as an alternative to dermal fillers or a facelift. It can be used to augment the lips, cheeks, and smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, including nasolabial folds and crow’s feet. At Cosmetic Surgery Associates, we make sure to fully understand the patient’s unique facial anatomy prior to treatment so that the results come out extremely natural-looking. It is helpful if patients bring in a photo of themselves when they were younger in order to aid in this process.
About Donor Locations
Donor locations are the areas of the body where fat grafts are harvested for augmentation. Fat is harvested using a special liposuction technique to preserve as many of the harvested fat cells as possible. Fat transfer candidates must have areas on their bodies with excess fat deposits that are suitable for liposuction. Some of the common donor locations include:
- Abdomen
- Upper Arms
- Flanks
- Hips
- Back
- Inner Thighs
- Outer Thighs
However, the best donor location for a fat transfer procedure will be determined by the doctor and the patient at the time of their Maryland or Virginia consultation.
Our relationship with our patients does not end after the procedure, but, rather, we work with our patients long after their treatment in order to prolong optimal results as long as possible.
Fat Transfer Results & Recovery
Following a fat transfer procedure, the patient should expect some swelling and bruising around the donor and augmentation sites. The donor site will be bandaged with a compression garment to make sure that it settles into its final contoured placement. Depending on the augmentation location, patients will be instructed to minimize the amount of pressure placed on the location for a number of weeks. This is to ensure that the most fat possible survives in the new location.
In order to minimize swelling and bruising, we recommend that patients sleep with their heads elevated and avoid anti-inflammatory medications. In order to control any pain following the procedure, patients will be provided with a prescription from one of our doctors or can use an over-the-counter medication such as Tylenol.
Bruising and swelling will dissipate naturally over the course of one to two weeks. After this time period, patients can enjoy their final contoured results.
Discomfort after breast augmentation surgery is usually mild to moderate. All sutures are dissolvable, so your follow-up appointments will be scheduled at one-week, one-month, and three-month intervals to ensure that you are healing properly.
All patients are required to come in for a follow-up appointment after their procedure. This is to ensure that the patient is healing properly and that the fat is taking to the new area as expected.
At the time of the consultation, we encourage patients to ask any and all questions they have regarding the procedure or our practice, including fat transfer cost. Our goal is to make the patient feel as comfortable and informed as possible.
Consultation & Cost
During the consultation, patients will meet one-on-one with one of our board-certified experienced doctors: Dr. Jabs, Dr. Richards, or Dr. Magge. We offer fat transfer procedures in Bethesda, Maryland, making our offices convenient for people living in the greater Washington, D.C. area. We also have many patients that travel in order to work with our esteemed doctors. Our highly professional staff is happy to work with out-of-town patients in order to help make accommodations.
The consultation is an extremely important part of every treatment we perform, including a fat transfer procedure. The first goal of the consultation is to determine whether or not the patient is a good candidate for the procedure they have in mind. In the case of a fat transfer procedure, one of our doctors will examine the patient for potential donor locations. They will also ask the patient about their medical history, including prior surgeries, medications and supplements they take, and medical conditions they may suffer from. Preexisting medical conditions will likely not affect the patient’s candidacy, but it is important for our doctors to have a full understanding of the patient’s health prior to any treatment. In some cases, our doctors may recommend alternative or additional procedures that may be useful in helping the patient achieve their desired results.
At this time, we will also be able to discuss the pricing particulars of the patient’s case. There are a variety of factors that can impact the cost of a procedure, including anesthesia, overnight care, and other specifics regarding the procedure. Since a fat transfer is such a highly customizable procedure, a consultation is necessary before we can offer a price estimate.
In order to determine if you’re a good candidate for a fat transfer procedure, please call our office. Patients are also encouraged to reach out to us online. We look forward to speaking soon!
Scheduling a Fat Transfer Consultation
If you have been thinking about a fat transfer procedure then it’s time to set up a one-on-one consultation with one of our Maryland board-certified plastic surgeons. Our office is located just 2 miles away from North Bethesda and 5 miles away from Potomac & Rockville. Give us a call today or contact us online to see if this procedure is right for you.
If you are seriously considering a surgical procedure to enhance the size, shape, and profile of your breasts, we strongly recommend setting up a consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons to find out if you’re a good candidate for breast augmentation. Our office is only 11 minutes away from Potomac and 10 minutes away from North Bethesda & Rockville. Schedule your consultation appointment today!
Keshav Magge, MD, FACS
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Honored as a Top Doctor by Bethesda Magazine and Washingtonian in both 2024 and 2025, Dr. Magge is recognized for his exceptional surgical skill, artistic precision, and patient-centered approach. A leading plastic surgeon in Bethesda, Maryland, he completed a fellowship in Craniofacial and Pediatric Plastic Surgery at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where he gained advanced expertise in facial rejuvenation and aesthetic surgery innovations.
Meet Dr. Magge
A. Dean Jabs, MD, PhD, FACS
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Jabs is an award-winning, board-certified plastic surgeon recognized nationally for his expertise in creating natural-looking results and his warm, compassionate approach to patient care. Trained in NY at Columbia University, he served in the US Army and has special expertise in facial rejuvenation. He has over 35 years of experience and has consistently been voted a top plastic surgeon by Washingtonian and Bethesda magazine.
Meet Dr. Jabs
Franklin D. Richards, MD, FACS
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Richards has been recognized as a Top Doctor by several prestigious organizations, including Castle Connolly, Consumers’ Research Council of America, and Washingtonian magazine. A leading plastic surgeon in Bethesda, Maryland, Dr. Richards is the past Chief of Plastic Surgery at Johns Hopkins Suburban Hospital. His expertise is in achieving natural results in facelift and eyelid surgery, with additional interests in cosmetic surgery of the breast and abdomen.
Meet Dr. Richards
Complementary Procedures
Non-Surgical Brazilian Butt Lift
Pairing perfectly with Cellulaze, the non-surgical BBL uses fillers like Sculptra or Radiesse to add volume and lift for a smooth, contoured silhouette—all with minimal downtime.
Liposuction
Liposuction is a minimally invasive procedure incorporated with many body contouring surgeries. Using various advanced techniques and medical technologies, stubborn fat can be eliminated from almost any area, including the stomach, thighs, back, and hips.
Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is a popular plastic surgery procedure for patients who want to address signs of aging or bodily changes after weight loss or pregnancy. During the procedure, excess skin and fat are removed to achieve a more toned, flatter abdomen.
The staff was amazing and made me feel comfortable every step of the way.
Get it DONE! The staff was amazing and made me feel comfortable every step of the way. My results are amazing, and I conquered the biggest hurdle in this journey - picking the correct Doctor and team. No regrets. Thank you, CSA.
– verified patient
I have been going to CSA for over a year, and it’s always such a nice visit.
I have been going to CSA for over a year, and it's always such a nice visit. Super professional, and I always feel taken care of.
– verified patient
I AM SO HAPPY I FOUND COSMETIC SURGERY ASSOCIATES.
I had such an amazing overall experience at Cosmetic Surgery Associates. The staff is very pleasant. I had my first invasive cosmetic procedure done back in September, and the final results are amazing. I LOVE IT. I'm so much happier with my body now. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. Prior to my surgery, I had been thinking about this for a while, and I'm so happy I made the decision to go through with it. I AM SO HAPPY I FOUND COSMETIC SURGERY ASSOCIATES. HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!
– verified patient
Their equipment, skill level, and expertise are superb.
This practice is truly outstanding! Their equipment, skill level, and expertise are superb. The staff is extremely friendly, kind, and professional; they make you feel comfortable as soon as you walk in the door.
– verified patient
Every single person in their office makes you feel so welcomed and comfortable the moment you step into the office.
Every single person in their office makes you feel so welcomed and comfortable the moment you step into the office. The day of my surgery, the staff took amazing care of me and went above and beyond to calm my nerves, talk me through it, and made it such a great experience. I highly recommend this office. I can't thank them enough for all that they did for me!
– verified patient
My experience there was beyond 5 stars.
My experience there was beyond 5 stars. From taking the appointment to post surgery. Even now after 10 months, the follow ups are outstanding. The whole staff took great care of me and the results are what I expected. Thank you for everything. Don't think twice and use this clinic if you want best in class service and the best result.
– verified patient
All of the staff were highly knowledgeable, and I received consistent direction and guidance from all of the staff.
Literally every staff member I interacted with from the front desk down to the surgical team gave stellar customer service and truly made me feel comfortable. My sister even felt the warm energy from the staff after meeting them the morning of surgery. All of the staff were highly knowledgeable, and I received consistent direction and guidance from all of the staff. I would highly recommend Cosmetic Surgery Associates to anyone seeking a cosmetic procedure!
– verified patient
I can’t stress enough how great this whole experience has been.
I can't stress enough how great this whole experience has been. Not only did he make me feel comfortable in my body, but 10x more confident. His work is truly beautiful. 100% recommend!!
– verified patient
I feel very comfortable and look better in my clothes.
The staff are professional, caring, and pay attention to detail. Almost 10 months post op. The results exceeded my expectations. I feel very comfortable and look better in my clothes. I'm so grateful. I highly recommend this practice.
– verified patient
The staff was wonderful, respectful, accommodating, and very knowledgeable!
The staff was wonderful, respectful, accommodating, and very knowledgeable! The facility was very clean and one of the staff members helped me work the coffee machine for a fresh cup of coffee!
– verified patient
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