Reviewed by Op. Dr. Ali Çetinkaya — a qualified physician and specialist plastic surgeon (ISAPS, TPRECD). Surgery is carried out at Acıbadem, an accredited private hospital in Istanbul. General information, not medical advice.
Fat transfer, or fat grafting, uses your own fat — gently removed by liposuction from one area and purified — to restore natural volume somewhere it is needed: the face, the breasts, the hands or the body. Because it is your own tissue, the result looks and feels natural, and the donor area is slimmed at the same time.
What is fat transfer?
Fat is harvested by liposuction, purified, and re-injected to add soft, natural volume. It is used to rejuvenate a hollow or ageing face, to modestly enhance the breasts or buttocks, or to smooth contour irregularities. Unlike fillers, the surviving fat is permanent; unlike implants, it is entirely your own tissue.
Where fat transfer is used — and how it lasts
Fat transfer (fat grafting) uses liposuction to harvest your own fat, then injects it to add natural volume. It slims the donor area at the same time.
| Option | What it means |
|---|---|
| Facial fat transfer | Restores lost volume to cheeks, temples and under the eyes for a rested, natural look. |
| Breast fat transfer | A modest, natural increase without implants — suited to smaller changes. |
| Buttock (BBL) | Reshaping the buttocks with fat — see our dedicated, safety-first BBL page. |
| Fat survival | A proportion of transferred fat is naturally reabsorbed; the surviving fat is permanent, which is why the plan accounts for it. |
Are you a good candidate?
- Loss of facial volume, or a wish for a modest, natural enhancement of the breasts or body.
- Enough fat to harvest from another area.
- Good general health and realistic expectations.
Because a proportion of transferred fat is reabsorbed, fat transfer suits people wanting a natural, modest change rather than a dramatic one. Your surgeon explains what is realistic.
Wondering if you are a candidate?
Send photos and a short note about what bothers you. Dr. Çetinkaya assesses them personally and gives you a realistic surgical opinion.
How it is performed
Under sedation or general anaesthesia depending on the area, fat is removed by liposuction, purified, and carefully injected in small amounts into the target area to give even, natural volume. The two-in-one benefit — slimming the donor site — is part of the appeal.
Recovery
Swelling and bruising at both the donor and treated areas settle over one to two weeks. The final result appears over a couple of months as swelling resolves and the surviving fat settles.
Risks and safety, honestly
Fat transfer uses your own tissue, so rejection is not a concern, but honesty about risk matters. A predictable proportion of the fat is reabsorbed, so a top-up is sometimes needed to reach the final result; rarely, small firm areas or oil cysts can form. Buttock fat transfer specifically must follow strict safety technique — covered fully on our BBL page. At Clinic Elia the procedure is performed by Op. Dr. Ali Çetinkaya at Acıbadem, with realistic expectations about how much fat will last.
Results
The fat that survives is permanent, so results are long-lasting. Some initial volume is reabsorbed, which the plan anticipates — occasionally a second session refines the result.
Cost in Turkey
Fat transfer in Turkey costs well below UK, EU and North American prices, within an all-inclusive package. Your quote follows an assessment.
Your surgeon
Procedures at Clinic Elia are led by Op. Dr. Ali Çetinkaya, a specialist in aesthetic, plastic and reconstructive surgery. Your suitability and plan are confirmed after an honest assessment.
Get a surgeon’s honest opinion
Send photos from the front and in profile on WhatsApp. Dr. Çetinkaya assesses them personally and you get a realistic opinion and one clear, all-inclusive quote — with no pressure and no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
Is fat transfer better than fillers?
It uses your own tissue and the surviving fat is permanent, whereas fillers are temporary. But fat transfer is a surgical procedure with a recovery. The right choice depends on your goals.
Will all the transferred fat last?
No — a proportion is naturally reabsorbed, which is why the plan accounts for it. The surviving fat is permanent.
Where is the fat taken from?
From an area with fat to spare — often the abdomen, flanks or thighs — which is slimmed in the process.
Is it natural-looking?
Yes — because it is your own soft tissue, it looks and feels natural when placed well.
Might I need a second session?
Occasionally, to refine volume, since some fat is reabsorbed. Your surgeon discusses this with you.
Where can fat transfer be used?
Commonly the face, and in modest amounts the breasts or buttocks, and to smooth contour irregularities.
How long do I stay in Turkey?
Usually around 5–7 days depending on the area, confirmed in your plan.
How much of the fat survives?
A proportion is naturally reabsorbed in the first months; the fat that establishes a blood supply is permanent. Your surgeon plans for this.
Is it permanent?
The surviving fat is permanent, though ageing and weight change affect it like any tissue. A second, smaller session is sometimes used to top up.
Fat transfer or filler?
Filler is quick and temporary; fat transfer is surgery using your own tissue for a longer-lasting, larger-volume result — and it slims the donor area.
Which areas can be treated?
Commonly the face, breasts and buttocks (BBL), and hands. Your suitability depends on having enough donor fat.
Is breast fat transfer safe?
It is well-established for modest increases; your surgeon will discuss appropriate breast screening as part of planning.
Are the before-and-after photos real?
We show only genuine, consented results. Learn what to check in our honest before & after guide.
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Considering fat transfer?
Message us on WhatsApp for a free, honest assessment. See also Brazilian butt lift and facelift.