Is Fat Transfer Painful?

Fat transfer is performed under anesthesia, so you will not feel pain during the procedure itself. Afterward, most patients experience soreness, swelling, and mild discomfort, particularly in the donor area where liposuction was performed, which improves significantly within the first week. Patients often describe it as similar to post-workout soreness or mild bruising.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

Fat transfer is usually performed in a single surgical procedure, though your journey will include multiple appointments. These typically include: Your initial consultation A pre-surgical visit Surgery day Follow-up visits to monitor healing and results In some cases, additional touch-up procedures may be discussed if more volume is desired.

How Long Until I See Results?

You will notice an immediate increase in volume after your procedure, but some of this is due to swelling and will subside. As healing progresses, a portion of the transferred fat will naturally be reabsorbed by the body. The remaining fat establishes a blood supply and becomes permanent. Final results are typically visible within 2 to 3 months, once swelling resolves and fat survival stabilizes.

How Soon Can I Travel After Fat Transfer?

Most patients can travel within 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the extent of the procedure and how they are healing. If your procedure involves areas like the buttocks, you may need to avoid prolonged sitting for a period of time, which can impact travel plans.

What Are the Risks Associated with Fat Transfer?

Fat transfer is considered safe when performed by an experienced surgeon, but like any procedure, it carries some risks. Swelling and bruising Fat reabsorption (partial loss of transferred volume) Infection (rare) Irregularities or asymmetry during healing Rare complications related to fat placement

Does Fat Transfer Have Other Names?

Yes! You may have heard of things like: Fat grafting Fat injections Lipofilling Autologous fat transfer

Fat Transfer

Evansville, IN

Natural Enhancement, Beautifully You.

Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation

What if you could slim one area of your body while enhancing another using nothing but your own natural tissue? That’s exactly what fat transfer makes possible.

At Conkright Aesthetics, fat transfer is a contouring and restorative procedure. By removing unwanted fat from areas like the abdomen or thighs and strategically placing it where volume is desired, Dr. Conkright can create results for patients across the Evansville area that look completely natural, without the need for synthetic fillers or implants.

Woman wearing black wireless comfort bra and shapewear bodysuit against neutral background - Fat transfer in Evansville, IN

What is Fat Transfer?

Often paired with liposuction, fat transfer is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure. Fat transfer surgery removes fat from one area of the body and injects it into a more desired area. Fat transfer shapes and contours the body without the use of filler or implants. Dr. Conkright can remove excess fat and move it to where you want a more enhanced, fuller appearance. Where are the most common areas from which fat is harvested?

Belly
Thighs
Hips

Where Can Fat Be Transferred?

Breasts
Buttocks
Hip dips
Cheeks
Lips
Anywhere you are looking for more plumper, more youthful skin

What Are the Benefits of Fat Transfer?

This procedure allows patients to address two problems at once! If there’s an area storing more fat than you’d like and you wish you had more volume elsewhere, well, this is it! This allows for less chance of an allergic reaction because you’re using your own tissue. It helps improve the skin, giving it a smoother, plumper appearance. The final results are considered permanent, so once you remove fat cells from one area, that site will have fewer.

Who Are the Best Candidates for Fat Transfer?

Fat transfer is ideal for patients seeking more symmetry or volume while maintaining an incredibly natural look! This procedure allows patients to use their own tissue, giving the body a natural feel and look. Fat grafting leaves minimal scarring and is a safe, effective procedure. It’s the perfect way to increase definition in areas you want more defined.

This procedure is a great option for:

Patients with available donor fat in common areas like the abdomen, thighs, or hips.
Individuals who want natural-looking volume enhancement without implants or synthetic fillers.
Those looking to improve contour in multiple areas simultaneously, both removing and restoring volume.
Patients in good overall health with realistic expectations about fat survival and results.
Individuals who are committed to maintaining a stable weight, which helps preserve long-term results.

Female healthcare professional in white coat consulting with patient at desk in medical office - first step in Evansville, IN

How to Begin Your Fat Transfer Journey

Your fat transfer journey requires a consultation with Dr. Conkright, which can be scheduled at our Evansville office. You can expect the following throughout the entire process:

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Conkright to evaluate both donor and recipient areas.
Discuss your goals, including where you’d like to reduce volume and where you’d like to enhance it.
Receive a customized surgical plan, outlining fat harvesting, processing, and placement strategy.
Review preoperative instructions, including medications to avoid and preparation for recovery.
Move forward with your treatment plan and schedule your pre-operative appointment and surgery.

What to Expect on the Day of Fat Transfer Surgery

On the day of your procedure, your experience will be structured to maximize comfort and efficiency.

Fat transfer is performed in-office under local anesthesia (“awake” surgery) at Conkright Aesthetics in Evansville, depending on your treatment plan. This approach allows for a controlled procedure with a shorter recovery time than general anesthesia.

The process begins with liposuction, in which fat is gently removed from the donor area through small, discreet incisions. The harvested fat is then purified and carefully prepared before being strategically injected into the treatment area.

Dr. Conkright places the fat in layers for smooth contours, optimal survival of the transferred fat, and natural-looking results.

After the procedure, both the donor and treatment areas will be monitored, and compression garments may be applied to aid healing.

Doctor James Micheal Conkright MD in black scrubs consulting with patient across desk in clinical setting - in Evansville, IN

Combining My Fat Transfer with Other Procedures

Fat transfer is often combined with other procedures to enhance overall results and create more comprehensive body or facial contouring. Because it involves both fat removal and volume restoration, it naturally integrates with a variety of treatment plans, such as liposuction and breast augmentation.

Liposuction takes and removes excess fat from the donor site to be injected where you’re looking for more fullness. Liposuction removes fat, offering a slimmer, smoother appearance. Dr. Conkright will ensure an adequate amount of fat is removed for transfer to the area(s) with less definition, creating a happy, healthy-looking you. Liposuction and fat transfer together allow patients to look and feel their best while keeping healthy volume in areas that may have been lost.

Your Guide to Post-Breast Surgery Care

Fat Transfer Recovery

Recovery from fat transfer involves healing in both the donor and recipient areas, making it slightly more involved than single-area procedures, which is why patients should expect swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort in both areas for the first several days to weeks. Compression garments are often recommended to support the donor site and reduce swelling.

It’s important to avoid pressure on the treated areas (especially in cases like buttock or facial fat transfer) to allow the transferred fat to settle and properly establish a blood supply.
Most patients can return to light activities within 1 to 2 weeks, though full recovery and final results may take several months as swelling subsides and the transferred fat stabilizes.

How Much Does Fat Transfer Cost in Evansville?

The cost of fat transfer in Evansville varies per patient and their unique treatment plan. Factors to consider include the areas treated, the complexity of the procedure, and the amount of fat being transferred.

Because fat transfer involves both liposuction and injection techniques, pricing reflects the level of customization and expertise required. Some treatments, like facial fat transfer, may cost less than larger procedures like breast or body contouring.

Why Choose Dr. Conkright?

Fat transfer is one of the most technique-sensitive procedures in aesthetic surgery; it requires not only the ability to remove fat, but also the skill to place it in a way that looks natural and lasts.

Evansville’s Dr. J. Michael Conkright, with over 20 years of experience in aesthetic surgery and a background in reconstructive procedures, brings a deeper understanding of tissue handling and healing. This is critical in fat transfer, where the technical skill set directly affects how much fat survives and how smooth the final result appears.

As a Board-certified plastic surgeon by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of both the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and The Aesthetic Society, Dr. Conkright delivers results that are safe, refined, and customized to each patient.

Fat Transfer FAQ'S

Fat transfer is performed under anesthesia, so you will not feel pain during the procedure itself. Afterward, most patients experience soreness, swelling, and mild discomfort, particularly in the donor area where liposuction was performed, which improves significantly within the first week. Patients often describe it as similar to post-workout soreness or mild bruising.
Fat transfer is usually performed in a single surgical procedure, though your journey will include multiple appointments.

These typically include:
- Your initial consultation
- A pre-surgical visit
- Surgery day
- Follow-up visits to monitor healing and results
In some cases, additional touch-up procedures may be discussed if more volume is desired.
You will notice an immediate increase in volume after your procedure, but some of this is due to swelling and will subside.

As healing progresses, a portion of the transferred fat will naturally be reabsorbed by the body. The remaining fat establishes a blood supply and becomes permanent. Final results are typically visible within 2 to 3 months, once swelling resolves and fat survival stabilizes.
Fat transfer is considered safe when performed by an experienced surgeon, but like any procedure, it carries some risks.
- Swelling and bruising
- Fat reabsorption (partial loss of transferred volume)
- Infection (rare)
- Irregularities or asymmetry during healing
- Rare complications related to fat placement
Yes! You may have heard of things like:
- Fat grafting
- Fat injections
- Lipofilling
- Autologous fat transfer

Schedule Your
Consultation

At Conkright Aesthetics, Dr. Conkright and his team will guide you through a customized treatment plan to help you achieve smoother contours, improved proportions, and results that feel completely your own. Schedule your consultation today at our Evansville practice.

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