Fat transfer or lipofilling is a combined procedure, where fat is suctioned from areas of the body where it is not wanted (thighs, stomach, hips) and afterwards, the fat is injected into places where more volume is desired (breasts, buttocks).
| Surgeon | Dr. Martin Adamson / dr. Siim Simmo |
| Anesthesia | General |
| Surgery duration | 1,5-2,5 hours |
| Nights at hospital | 1-2 |
| Sick-leave | 1-2 weeks |
| Price | from €3890 (breasts or buttocks) * includes 6 regions of liposuction, additional regions according to the price list |
| Medical loan | 
starting from €105 per month. Apply here. |
Ask for more information or book a time |
What is autologous fat transfer?
Fat cells are the most fragile cells in the human body and most of them are destroyed when they are suctioned using conventional liposuction procedures. This is not a problem because fat harvested in this way is not usually going to be re-used. If the fat will be used for autologous fat transplantation, however, as much as possible of the fatty tissue that is inserted into the body must be alive and intact. Only undamaged fat cells grow while destroyed cells are broken down by the body.
To remove fragile fat cells as gently as possible from the fatty tissue, the innovative procedure of waterjet-assisted liposuction uses the gentle power of water. The pressure of the fine, fan-shaped waterjet can be adjusted to different connective tissue structures, so fat cells can be specifically detached. This protects the surrounding connective tissue, the blood vessels and the nerves. Precise waterjet dissection is already an established procedure in many different areas of surgery. Dissection aided by waterjet is groundbreaking because, compared to conventional surgical techniques, it can reduce surgery times, blood loss, pain and recovery times.
AquaShape® uses the body’s own fat in two steps: in the first step the fat is suctioned from areas of the body where it is not wanted (thighs, stomach, hips). In the second step carried out immediately afterwards, the fat is injected into places where more volume is desired.
How much fat is needed for autologous fat transplantation?
This depends of which body parts will be filled out with autologous fat and to what degree. For a natural breast augmentation, between 150 mL and 300 mL is needed per side depending on the original size.
Fat transfer – how long does the result last?
In principle, fat that has grown in cannot simply disappear. The result therefore lasts a lifetime. The transplanted fat is, however, subject to the natural fluctuations in the body that the other fat cells are also subject to. With significant weight loss or the natural ageing process, you will also lose injected fat – whether from the face or the breasts.
From which parts of the body can fat be suctioned?
Fat can be suctioned from almost any part of the body – preferably anywhere there is sufficient fat. The most commonly treated body parts are the stomach, hips, thighs, knees, arms and double chin. Because waterjet-assisted liposuction is a very gentle technique with a short downtime, patients often decide to treat several ‘problem zones’ in one procedure.
Fat transfer – what complications can I expect?
If a specialist carries out liposuction or fat transfer, complications are very rare. Bruising, slight pain like that felt with a muscle cramp or, very rarely, infections can occur after liposuction. In very rare cases small oil cysts or calcifications can develop after fat transfer to the breasts, for example. If the basic principles are followed, however, these can be largely avoided.
How much fat grows after the transplantation?
The fat cells are gently detached using the waterjet and are suctioned off at the same time. The absolutely tiny fat particles floating in water that are harvested in this way do not need to be centrifuged. There is residual fluid, which is called the infiltration fluid, that makes up about 25–30% of the transplanted fatty tissue. In the first few days, about 25–30% of the volume is lost as a result – this corresponds roughly to the fraction of the infiltration fluid that remained in the transplanted fat.
This is then followed by the growth phase which is completed after about 3 months. About 76% (± 11%) of the fat cells (of what is now about 70% remaining volume) survive, meaning that a little more than 50% of the gross volume injected remains as a permanent gain in volume. This means that you must expect that only a little more than half of the gross volume injected (made up of fat AND infiltration fluid) will remain. Every specialist who uses AquaShape® as a treatment method will point out to you that an increase of about ½ a cup size can be achieved with each procedure. If you want more volume, a second or third procedure will be necessary.
Fat transfer procedures
Breast enlargement with fat transfer.
Autologous fat makes this possible. Breast augmentation using fat transfer grafting is especially suitable for women who would like to add natural-looking, long-lasting fullness to their breasts without introducing foreign material into their body.
- Natural breasts (look and feel)
- High survival rate for grafted fat cells (up to 87%)
Breast Reconstruction using fat transfer
For women who are looking for a natural method of breast reconstruction following breast cancer and do not want any synthetic materials in their body. The advantages of this method are natural-looking breasts and long-lasting results. Breasts that are reconstructed using autologous fat look and feel like your own body: the breast remains elastic and mobile. There is no risk of immune-response problems (such as capsular contracture, which can occur with silicone implants).
Buttock Augmentation using fat transfer
Individuals who desire a fuller and more rounded buttock area can have their buttocks augmented with autologous fat without having to sit on synthetic materials.
- Natural feel and appearance
- No side effects
- Minimal complications
Gallery with before / after pictures
Fat transfer surgery is performed by Dr. Martin Adamson, Dr. Siim Simmo or Dr. Rein Adamson, who are experienced body contouring surgeons. Ask for more information or book a time.
