A procedure using your own fat to add natural volume, improve contour, and refine the results of other surgeries, without the need for implants.
Brisbane Autologous Fat Transfer Surgery
Fat grafting — also known as autologous fat transfer, fat injection, or lipofilling — is a surgical technique that harvests fat from one area of your body and strategically reintroduces it to another. Because the transferred material is your own tissue, it integrates naturally, carries no risk of rejection, and, when the fat cells survive successfully, can produce long-lasting results with a feel and appearance that synthetic fillers or implants simply cannot replicate.
Two steps make up the procedure, and each one has a benefit of its own. Fat is first harvested from a donor area, typically the abdomen, flanks, hips, or inner thighs, using liposuction. Patients often see some contouring at that harvest site as a result. The fat is then processed to remove unwanted fluid and cells before being injected in small, layered amounts at the target site, which supports cell survival and helps produce an even, natural-looking outcome.
Dr Perron uses fat grafting across a wide range of plastic and reconstructive surgery applications, tailoring each case to the patient’s anatomy and goals. Patients come to him for fat grafting for many reasons, including:
It is important to understand that fat grafting is not a weight loss procedure. The amounts of fat involved are measured in millilitres, not kilograms, and the goal is targeted volume restoration or contouring rather than overall size reduction. Dr Perron will discuss whether fat grafting is the right approach for your goals during a thorough personal consultation.
For patients seeking a modest, natural-feeling increase in breast volume without implants, fat grafting to the breasts offers a compelling alternative. The fat is injected in carefully placed, small aliquots across multiple tissue planes within the breast to maximise the chance of fat cell survival and achieve a smooth, even result.
Fat grafting to the breasts is also widely used in reconstructive contexts. Women who have undergone mastectomy and breast reconstruction may benefit from fat grafting to correct contour irregularities, improve symmetry, address areas of thinning or radiation damage to the skin, or supplement volume where the result has changed over time. In these reconstructive settings, Medicare item numbers (MBS items 45534 and 45535) may be applicable. Dr Perron’s team can advise you on your eligibility at your consultation.
It is important to set realistic expectations. Each session of breast fat grafting typically produces a modest increase in volume, generally around half to one cup size. Some patients choose to undergo more than one session to build on earlier results. Not all transferred fat cells will survive, and the volume retained will vary between patients. Dr Perron will discuss what is achievable for your specific anatomy and amount of available donor fat.
Beyond the breasts, fat grafting has a broad range of body applications that Dr Perron can discuss with you:
Buttock augmentation and contouring: Fat grafting to the buttocks can add volume and shape while simultaneously improving contour at the donor site. This approach avoids the risks associated with solid implants, including capsular contracture and implant malposition.
Scar improvement: When fat is injected under a scar that sits low, feels tight, or has an uneven texture, it can lift the tissue and soften what you see at the surface. Scars from surgery, trauma, or burns tend to respond well to this approach.
Hand rejuvenation: Volume loss in the hands is a visible sign of ageing and weight loss. Fat grafting can restore a more youthful, fuller appearance by filling bony or hollowed areas between the tendons.
Body contouring after weight loss: Following significant weight loss or after other body contouring procedures, patients may notice areas of hollowing or deflation. Fat grafting can be used to address these contour irregularities and refine the overall result.
Contour deformities following liposuction: Where previous liposuction has produced irregular contours or depressions, carefully placed fat grafting can be used to improve the evenness of the surface.
A thorough consultation with Dr Perron is the essential starting point. During this appointment, he will assess your goals, evaluate potential donor sites and their available fat volume, examine the target treatment area, and explain what is realistic for your anatomy. Good candidates for fat grafting are generally those who:
If breast fat grafting is being planned, Dr Perron will discuss whether any pre-operative breast imaging is appropriate, particularly if you have an existing breast screening history.
If you are planning to lose a significant amount of weight, it’s generally a good idea to do that first. Major weight changes after fat grafting can shift the volume and distribution of the transferred fat, which may affect your result.
The procedure is carried out under a general anaesthetic. Depending on how many areas are being treated and how much fat needs to be transferred, surgery usually runs between one and three hours.
The procedure follows three key stages:
Stage 1: Fat Harvesting
To prepare the donor site, a tumescent solution containing saline, local anaesthetic, and adrenaline is injected into the area. This reduces bleeding, numbs the tissue, and makes the fat easier to remove. The fat is then harvested through a small cannula using gentle, low-pressure suction to keep the cells intact and viable for transfer.
Common donor sites include the abdomen, flanks, inner and outer thighs, and hips. Dr Perron will assess your anatomy and discuss the most appropriate donor site or sites for your procedure.
Stage 2: Fat Processing
Once collected, the harvested fat is processed to remove excess fluid, blood, and damaged cells. This purification step is critical to optimising the quality of the fat that will be injected and improving the likelihood that the transferred cells will survive and integrate long-term in their new location.
Stage 3: Fat Injection
Tiny incisions allow Dr Perron to introduce a fine cannula and begin injecting the fat. He works through multiple passes, placing small deposits across different tissue planes rather than a single large volume. Distributing the fat this way gives each pocket better access to blood supply, which is what it needs to survive. It also minimises the likelihood of lumps, oil cysts, or areas of fat cell death.
Dr Perron will inject a modest overfill at the time of surgery. Not all transferred fat cells will survive the process, and the additional volume accounts for expected resorption in the weeks following the procedure. Final results become apparent once the swelling resolves and the retained fat has stabilised, which typically takes three to six months.
Recovery after fat grafting involves two areas: the donor site and the treatment area. Both will experience some degree of swelling, bruising, and tenderness in the days and weeks following surgery.
Plan for roughly one to two weeks away from work, though your specific needs will depend on the nature of your role. Desk work can often resume before physically demanding jobs..
At the donor site, swelling and bruising are similar to what patients experience after standard liposuction (suction-assisted lipectomy). A compression garment will be worn over these areas to reduce swelling and support the contour during healing. This garment should be worn as directed by Dr Perron, generally for several weeks.
At the treatment site, swelling is expected and will make the initial result appear larger than the final outcome. It is important not to judge the result during this period. As swelling subsides over the weeks and months following surgery, the volume that has successfully integrated will become clear. Patients should expect some degree of volume reduction from the initial result, as a proportion of transferred fat will naturally be resorbed by the body.
Strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and pressure on the treated area should be avoided for four to six weeks. Dr Perron will provide detailed guidance tailored to your specific procedure.
Volume outcomes are one of the most common things people ask about, and the honest answer is that they vary from person to person. How much fat survives long-term depends on donor fat quality, harvesting and injection technique, how well the recipient site is vascularised, individual biology, and lifestyle factors including smoking and weight.
The research shows retention figures ranging from about 50 to 80 per cent of volume injected, and individual results can land anywhere in that range. A single breast fat grafting session typically adds around half a cup size. With more donor fat to work with, some patients can achieve a larger increase..
If your goal requires more volume than is safely achievable in a single session, or if you wish to build on the results of a first procedure, a staged approach with a second session can be planned. Dr Perron will discuss what is realistic for your anatomy and goals during your consultation.
Like any operation, fat grafting carries risks, and it’s important to understand them before going ahead. General surgical risks include infection, bleeding, haematoma, poor wound healing, and reactions to anaesthesia. Risks specific to fat grafting include:
Dr Perron will discuss all relevant risks with you during your consultation, taking into account your individual anatomy, health history, and the specific areas being treated. Not every patient is a suitable candidate, and candidacy will be assessed carefully on an individual basis.
Please be advised that all procedures carry risks. We encourage patients to consult with their regular GP and a Qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon before considering surgery. Find more information here.
Many patients have fat grafting done at the same time as another procedure, which allows the harvested fat to be used straight away without a separate operation. Common combinations include::
Breast Augmentation (Augmentation Mammoplasty), where fat grafting may supplement implants to improve upper pole fullness or address asymmetry
Breast Reconstruction, where fat grafting is used to refine contour, improve skin quality, and restore symmetry
Breast Implant Removal and Replacement, where fat grafting can address areas of volume deficit following explantation
Breast Lift (Mastopexy), where a small amount of fat grafting may improve fullness in the upper breast
Liposuction (Suction Assisted Lipectomy), where fat harvested during liposuction is simultaneously transferred to treat another area
Hybrid Butt Lift (Buttock Autoaugmentation), where fat grafting may complement the autoaugmentation technique
Body Lift and post-weight-loss contouring procedures, where fat grafting addresses areas of residual deflation or irregularity
Fat grafting requires a surgeon with a precise understanding of both donor site liposuction technique and the art of injection at the treatment site. Getting the best possible fat survival means harvesting fat gently, processing it correctly, and injecting it in a way that gives each aliquot the best chance of establishing a blood supply. It also requires a strong aesthetic eye and surgical judgment to place the fat in a way that produces a natural, well-proportioned result.
Dr Justin Perron is a Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon holding the Fellowship of The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS, Plastics), the highest recognised surgical qualification in Australia for this specialty. He is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) under registration number MED0000959827, verifiable through the public AHPRA register.
Dr Perron completed his Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery training across Queensland and Western Australia, working at major hospitals from Townsville to Brisbane, Redcliffe, Caboolture, the Gold Coast, and Perth. This breadth of experience across diverse surgical environments gave him a comprehensive foundation in the full scope of reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgery, including complex breast and body contouring cases where fat grafting plays an important role.
He maintains an active membership with:
Dr Perron presents at surgical conferences, has published in peer-reviewed journals, and maintains current knowledge in the latest developments across the full breadth of plastic and reconstructive surgery. He operates from his consulting rooms at Herstellen Clinic in Spring Hill, Brisbane, and holds operating privileges at Wesley Hospital, St Andrews War Memorial Hospital, Brisbane Private Hospital, and Spring Hill Specialist Day Hospital.
Herstellen Clinic 490 Boundary Street Spring Hill, Brisbane, QLD 4000 Phone: 07 3861 8800
Every patient who consults with Dr Perron receives a thorough, personalised assessment and a candid conversation about what fat grafting can and cannot achieve in their specific case. Realistic expectations and informed decisions are always the starting point.
Fat grafting uses your own fat, harvested from a donor site on your body via liposuction, processed, and then injected into the treatment area. Because the material is your own tissue, there is no risk of rejection or allergic reaction, and results can be long-lasting once the fat integrates. Dermal fillers use synthetic or biologically derived materials (such as hyaluronic acid) that are temporary and gradually broken down by the body. Fat grafting is a surgical procedure requiring a general anaesthetic, and it involves both a donor harvest site and a treatment site. Fillers are non-surgical and performed in a clinic setting. For larger volumes or more structural changes, fat grafting is generally the more appropriate option.
Good candidates are in good general health, at a stable weight, have sufficient donor fat available for harvest, and have realistic expectations about what a single session can achieve. Non-smokers tend to have better fat survival outcomes. Patients who are planning significant weight loss should generally do so before having fat grafting, as weight change can alter the volume and distribution of transferred fat. Dr Perron will assess your suitability during your consultation.
This varies between patients and depends on the amount of available donor fat, the quality of the harvested cells, and individual biology. As a general guide, breast fat grafting typically achieves an increase of approximately half to one cup size per session. Some patients elect to have a second session to build further on the initial result. Dr Perron will give you a realistic expectation based on your specific anatomy at your consultation.
Fat cells that survive the transfer and successfully establish a blood supply at the new site behave like normal fat cells, meaning the results can be long-lasting. However, not all transferred cells survive. A proportion will be resorbed by the body in the weeks following surgery, which is why the initial result may be larger than the final outcome. Once the result has stabilised, which typically takes three to six months, the retained volume is generally durable, though it will respond to significant weight changes as normal fat tissue does.
Published data report fat retention rates across a wide range, typically between 50 and 80 per cent of injected volume over the long term. The exact proportion that survives varies between individuals and is influenced by harvesting technique, processing method, injection technique, donor site selection, and individual patient factors such as smoking and weight stability. Dr Perron will discuss realistic expectations for your specific case during your consultation.
This is an understandable concern for patients having fat grafting to the breasts. Oil cysts, calcifications, and areas of fat necrosis can occasionally form after breast fat grafting and may be visible on mammography. However, experienced radiologists are generally able to distinguish these changes from malignant findings. You should inform your GP and any future radiologists or breast physicians that you have had fat grafting to the breasts so they can interpret imaging appropriately. Dr Perron will discuss this with you during your consultation.
In certain reconstructive circumstances, Medicare item numbers may apply. MBS items 45534 (unilateral) and 45535 (bilateral) cover autologous fat grafting to the breast where the procedure is for purposes including correction of defects arising from breast cancer treatment, preparation of post-mastectomy skin flaps, breast reconstruction in breast cancer patients, or correction of developmental breast disorders. Purely cosmetic fat grafting to the breasts is not covered by Medicare. Dr Perron’s team will advise you on your specific eligibility at your consultation.
The donor site is treated with the same care as a standard liposuction procedure. You can expect swelling, bruising, and tenderness in that area for several weeks, and a compression garment will need to be worn over the donor site to support healing and contour. Most donor site swelling resolves within six to eight weeks. In many cases, the contouring benefit at the donor site is considered an added advantage of the procedure.
Yes. Fat grafting is frequently performed alongside other procedures, including breast augmentation, breast reconstruction, breast lift, liposuction, body lift surgery, and various contouring procedures. Combining procedures allows the harvested fat to be used productively without requiring a separate operation. Dr Perron will discuss whether combining fat grafting with other planned procedures is appropriate in your case.
For some patients, a single session achieves their goals. For others, particularly those seeking a more significant volume change or whose goals require building on an initial result, a second session may be planned. The timing of any additional session is generally at least three to six months after the first, to allow swelling to fully resolve and the final result to become apparent before planning further treatment.
The cost of fat grafting varies depending on the area being treated, the volume of fat being transferred, the complexity of the procedure, and whether it is being combined with other surgical procedures at the same time. An accurate and fully itemised quote will be provided following your consultation with Dr Perron. Costs are comprised of the surgeon’s fees, anaesthetist’s fees, and hospital or day facility fees.
Figures listed are Surgeon’s fees only. Other fees may include anaesthetic fees, hospital fees, and compression garment fees. All patients are different and require different treatment approaches. An accurate individualised quote will be provided after an in-depth consultation with Dr Perron.
A Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) specifically refers to fat grafting performed to augment and reshape the buttocks. It is one application within the broader category of fat grafting procedures. Dr Perron’s Hybrid Butt Lift (Buttock Autoaugmentation) uses a different approach that relies on the patient’s own existing buttock tissue rather than injected fat, and does not carry the same safety concerns associated with large-volume intramuscular fat injection. Dr Perron will discuss all available options for buttock contouring during your consultation.
If you would like to explore whether fat grafting is right for you, the first step is a personal consultation with Dr Perron. He will assess your anatomy, discuss your goals honestly, and explain what is achievable and what to expect at every stage of the process.
To book your consultation, contact Herstellen Clinic on 07 3861 8800 or use the enquiry form on this website.
Herstellen Clinic 490 Boundary Street, Spring Hill, Brisbane, QLD 4000
Disclaimer: Please be advised that all procedures carry risks. We encourage patients to consult with their regular GP and a Qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon before considering surgery. Find more information here.
Page written in accordance with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) guidelines for the advertising of regulated health services. Individual patient outcomes will vary. Specific results are not guaranteed.
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490 Boundary Street
Spring Hill QLD 4000
