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Center for Plastic Surgery Ann Arbor
5333 McAuley Drive, Suite 5001
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Phone: (734) 712-2323
Monday–Friday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Fat Transfer
Fat transfer (also called fat grafting) has surged in popularity because it uses the patient’s own excess tissue to modestly boost fullness, smooth contours, and refine breast shape with soft, natural volume. The procedure is highly technique-dependent, requiring skill and expertise to maximize the fat’s survival and ensure symmetrical results.
At Center for Plastic Surgery Ann Arbor, our board-certified plastic surgeons bring extensive experience with advanced fat transfer methods, customizing every step of the process to your anatomy and goals for natural-looking, balanced outcomes.
What Is Fat Transfer?
Fat transfer is a cosmetic procedure that uses your own fat to restore volume and enhance contours. During treatment, fat is gently removed from a donor area, such as the abdomen, flanks, or thighs, using liposuction. The extracted fat is then purified and carefully injected into areas that need added fullness or smoother definition.
Fat transfer can be used to:
- Restore lost volume
- Improve the look of sagging or crepey skin
- Minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Create softer, more youthful-looking contours
- Enhance areas such as the face, breasts, buttocks, and hands with natural tissue
Because it uses your own tissue, fat transfer is a popular option for patients who want seamless results without synthetic fillers or implants.
Am I a Good Candidate?
In general, good candidates for fat transfer want volume restoration using their own tissue. You may be a good candidate for fat transfer if you:
- Have sufficient donor fat in areas such as the abdomen, flanks, or thighs
- Prefer using your own tissue rather than implants or synthetic fillers
- Are seeking subtle volume enhancement rather than dramatic size changes
- Are in good overall health and have realistic expectations about fat retention and staging
A consultation is the best way to confirm candidacy, review donor-site options, and develop a plan tailored to the areas you want to enhance.
Fat Grafting
Before & After Photos
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VIEW PHOTOSProcedure Description
Harvesting Fat With Liposuction
Fat transfer begins by gently removing fat from a donor area—most commonly the abdomen, flanks, or thighs—using advanced liposuction techniques. Our plastic surgeons take a meticulous approach to harvesting to help protect fat cell viability and achieve smooth donor-site contours.
Fat Purification and Transfer
After harvesting, the fat is carefully purified to isolate healthy, usable fat cells before transfer. Your surgeon then places the refined fat in small, precise amounts and in multiple layers to build volume, improve contour, and support long-term fat survival.
Common fat transfer treatment areas include:
- Fat transfer breast augmentation
- Cheeks/midface
- Nasolabial folds (smile lines)
- Hands
- Buttocks
Some areas of the body are more receptive to fat transfer than others, and the best plan depends on your anatomy, skin quality, and goals—something our surgeons will review with you during consultation.
Following Up
Not all transferred fat cells will survive, so it’s common to need more than one round of fat transfer to achieve the desired size or correction. This is especially true when treating larger areas or when a significant increase in volume is the goal. Your surgeon will help you plan realistic staging and timing based on how your body heals and retains the graft.
Some patients also choose dermal fillers to fine-tune results or add volume in areas where fat transfer may be less predictable. Fillers can deliver immediate, temporary improvement, while fat transfer offers longer-lasting volume once retention is established—without the routine yearly maintenance many filler patients expect.
Additional Procedures That May Enhance the Result:
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State-of-the-Art Surgical Care & Comfort
Our state-of-the-art on-site surgical facility in Ann Arbor is accredited by Quad A (formerly AAAASF) for its exceptional safety standards. Equipped with advanced technology and experienced providers you can trust, we offer our plastic surgery patients exceptional privacy, comfort, and convenience.
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Meet Our Surgeons
As Ann Arbor’s trusted destination for plastic surgery, we specialize in advanced cosmetic procedures designed to enhance your natural beauty and boost your confidence. Our experienced surgeons use innovative techniques to provide personalized care and achieve exceptional results. With a focus on safety and compassion, we strive to create an experience that helps you feel empowered and assured in your aesthetic journey.
Dr. Daniel Sherick
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Daniel Sherick is a board-certified plastic surgeon who excels at creating body transformations that are as unique as his patients. Whether performing breast surgery, tummy tucks, or mommy makeovers, he tailors each procedure to enhance natural beauty and restore confidence. Dr. Sherick's skillful techniques are designed to rejuvenate and refresh, giving patients a natural, empowered look—never a "cookie-cutter" appearance. His patients appreciate his thoughtful approach, where their individual goals come first, resulting in outcomes that reflect their own beauty and strength rather than a Hollywood ideal.
Get to Know Dr. Sherick
Dr. Galina Primeau
Board-Eligible Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Galina Primeau is a board-eligible plastic surgeon who aims to provide cosmetic services not only to improve appearance but to build confidence and overall health. She is empathetic, honest, and straightforward with her patients. She takes the time to ensure you leave your visit feeling supported and confident in your treatment choice. Whether you have a specific goal or are unsure of your next step, Dr. Primeau will help make your vision a reality.
Get to Know Dr. PrimeauRecovery After Fat Transfer
You can expect some bruising, swelling, and tenderness at the sites of fat harvesting, consistent with the recovery for liposuction. The amount of recuperation needed depends on the volume of fat transfer as well as the donor and recipient sites. Pain medication is prescribed to control any initial pain. There are small, clear, dissolvable sutures at the sites of liposuction and fat transfer that will be removed about 1 week after surgery. The sites of fat transfer are small, pinhole-sized and cause little to no scarring. You can typically return to work and normal activities 1-4 weeks after surgery.
Learn more about the recovery process following a procedure here.
A Reputation Built on Results
I had an excellent experience with Mommy makeover surgery with tummy tuck and breast lift by Dr. Sherick!...
Very positive group of people. Very detailed at explaining everything. I would recommend them just...
Your Next Step
At Center for Plastic Surgery Ann Arbor, we look forward to helping you achieve your aesthetic goals. Please request your consultation with our easy-to-use online form or call our office at (734) 712-2323 to schedule your visit. Our consultation fee for both virtual and in-person consultations is $125, which is applied to the cost of surgery if you choose to move forward with the procedure.
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