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Expect Holistic Expertise at Micallef Plastic Surgery

We’ve added fat grafting to our repertoire because we believe beauty and wellness are inseparable. With Dr. Micallef’s reconstructive roots and surgical precision, using your own tissue embodies our commitment to safe, natural, and regenerative enhancement.

What Is Fat Grafting?

Your fat tissue contains regenerative cells and structural matrix, making it highly biocompatible. Fat grafting (autologous fat transfer) harvests your fat via gentle liposuction and strategically injects it into areas needing volume or rejuvenation, simultaneously slimming your donor site for comprehensive body sculpting. Patients choosing fat grafting in San Antonio enjoy natural, long-lasting enhancement that improves both shape and contour.

Fat Grafting Benefits

  • Fat grafting is a natural and safe option because it uses your own tissue rather than synthetic materials, which reduces the risk of rejection or allergic reaction
  • In addition to restoring volume, the transferred fat contains regenerative properties that can improve the skin’s overall texture, tone, and quality
  • This procedure is highly versatile and can enhance facial contours, add fullness to the breasts or body, rejuvenate the hands, and soften the appearance of scars
  • Donor sites are only minimally affected since small amounts of fat are gently removed, while the transferred fat often provides results that are long-lasting and naturally integrated

Are You a Good Candidate for Fat Grafting?

  • You may be a good candidate if you are in overall good health and have realistic expectations about gradual, natural improvements
  • Ideal patients have areas with sufficient fat available for harvesting, such as the abdomen, thighs, or flanks
  • Non-smokers, or those willing to quit before their procedure, tend to experience better healing and long-term results
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What to Expect Before, During, and After Fat Grafting

Consultation & Cost

  • During your consultation, Dr. Micallef will listen to your goals, evaluate both donor and recipient sites, and discuss which fat processing methods may best support long-term results
  • Next, we’ll review your health history, answer any questions you may have, and discuss cost
  • The national average surgeon’s fee for fat grafting to the face is around $3,000–$4,000, while body or breast fat transfer procedures may range from $5,000–$9,000, depending on scope and goals
  • Your personalized estimate will be provided during the consultation, and our office will review available financing options to make your treatment as accessible as possible

Procedure

  • Fat grafting is typically performed under local anesthesia with sedation or, in some cases, general anesthesia
  • Using a fine cannula and low-pressure liposuction, fat cells are carefully removed from the donor site to preserve their structure and viability
  • The harvested fat is filtered or centrifuged to remove excess fluids, oils, and blood, leaving behind only healthy, viable fat cells
  • With precision microcannulas, Dr. Micallef injects the purified fat in tiny, layered threads within the target area; this technique supports blood supply integration and long-term survival of the graft
  • Small refinements are made to smooth transitions, adjust contours, and achieve natural-looking fullness

Recovery & Results Timeline

  • First Few Days: Expect swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort at both the donor and recipient sites. Most patients manage symptoms with oral pain medication and rest.
  • Week 1: Initial swelling begins to subside. Light activities can usually be resumed, though strenuous exercise should be avoided.
  • Weeks 2–3: Bruising typically resolves, and swelling decreases further. Early improvements in contour and volume become visible.
  • 1–3 Months: The transferred fat establishes a blood supply and integrates with the surrounding tissue. Results refine steadily during this period.
  • 3–6 Months: Final results emerge as swelling resolves and the long-term “take” of the fat graft stabilizes. A small percentage of fat naturally resorbs, but surviving fat remains permanent.
  • Beyond 6 Months: Results are considered stable and long-lasting. With weight stability and healthy habits, many patients maintain outcomes for years.
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Why Choose Micallef Plastic Surgery?

At Micallef Plastic Surgery, fat grafting is performed with the same academic precision and safety standards Dr. Micallef refined during his 15 years as a Special Operations physician and through double board certification in both General and Plastic Surgery. His peer-reviewed research on reconstructive and regenerative techniques underscores a deep commitment to evidence-based care. Our team leverages advanced fat processing methods and wellness-centered aftercare, such as lymphatic drainage and hyperbaric therapy, to enhance graft survival and patient recovery.

Fat Grafting FAQs

How much fat typically survives after transfer?

Can fat grafting in San Antonio be combined with other procedures?

What are the risks of fat grafting?

Is fat grafting permanent?

What does the fat feel like after it has been transferred?

How much fat typically survives after transfer?

Not all transferred fat will remain long-term. On average, about 50–70% of the fat survives permanently, with the remainder naturally absorbed by the body in the first few months. Dr. Micallef’s meticulous layering technique maximizes fat survival for long-lasting outcomes.

Can fat grafting in San Antonio be combined with other procedures?

Yes. Fat grafting is often combined with facelifts, tummy tucks, breast lifts, or body contouring procedures to achieve more comprehensive results. Dr. Micallef will discuss whether a combination approach suits your goals during your consultation.

What are the risks of fat grafting?

As with any surgery, fat grafting carries some risks. These may include infection, uneven results, fat resorption, cyst formation, or, very rarely, fat embolism. Choosing a double board-certified surgeon like Dr. Micallef, who follows evidence-based safety protocols, significantly reduces these risks.

Is fat grafting permanent?

Yes, the fat cells that survive the transfer process become permanent living tissue in their new location. While a small percentage of fat resorbs in the first months, the remaining graft is long-lasting and does not require replacement like fillers.

What does the fat feel like after it has been transferred?

Once healed, grafted fat feels soft and natural, blending seamlessly with the surrounding tissue. Patients often report that the results look and feel like their own bodies, because they do!

Slim and Sculpt with Micallef Plastic Surgery 

You deserve the care of a surgeon whose expertise is backed by double board certification, peer-reviewed research, and over 15 years of medical service in high-stakes environments. Contact us today to book your consultation and learn more.

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