Lipofilling: Body and Facial Contouring Using Autologous Fat
Lipofilling and Lipotransfer Treatments in Barcelona
The field of plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic surgery has evolved towards procedures that are more in harmony with human biology, prioritising a natural appearance and patient safety. Over recent years, it has become clear that the patient’s own adipose tissue is no longer regarded as mere excess fat, but has established itself as the most advanced, safe and versatile biological filler available to us.
Lipofilling in Barcelona offers a highly precise medical solution for patients seeking to restore lost volume, harmonise their facial contours or reshape various areas of the body without resorting to implants or substances foreign to the body.
We approach every lipotransfer procedure by carrying out a personalised assessment and a thorough analysis of the individual’s anatomy. Our commitment is focused on achieving natural, harmonious and long-lasting results, whilst ensuring the viability of the fat cells at every stage of the process.
What you need to know about lipofilling
- Treatment Duration: 1 hour
- Recovery: 1 week
- Visible results: Immediate
- Effects: Permanent
- Anaesthesia: General or local + sedation
What is lipofilling or fat transfer, and how does it work?
Lipofilling, lipotransfer, lipoinjection or autologous fat grafting is a minimally invasive surgical technique that involves extracting excess adipose tissue from a donor site on the patient’s own body (such as the abdomen, flanks, hips or thighs) and, following a meticulous process of purification and cell selection, reinjecting it into areas requiring volume restoration, contour definition or skin rejuvenation.
As well as adding volume, the patient’s own fat acts as a genuine skin-rejuvenation treatment. Adipose tissue is one of the body’s richest sources of stem cells and growth factors.
By injecting tiny microdroplets of purified fat, we not only restore shape and firmness to the treated area, but also stimulate the formation of new blood vessels and promote the natural production of collagen and elastin. As a result, the skin regains its thickness, becomes firmer and looks visibly more hydrated and radiant.
Furthermore, as only your own fat is used, the treatment is 100% compatible with your body. This completely eliminates the risk of allergies, rejection or problems that can sometimes arise with implants or synthetic materials.
Most common areas of application: Facial and body lipofilling
The great advantage of fat transfer is its versatility. By using the patient’s own fat, we can offer a fully personalised treatment to correct everything from the signs of ageing (such as loss of firmness or wrinkles) to a lack of volume and asymmetries in different areas of the body.
Facial ageing is not limited to the appearance of wrinkles or sagging skin; its main cause lies in the atrophy and displacement of the deep fat pads of the face, combined with progressive bone resorption. Through facial lipofilling, we subtly restore the three-dimensional architecture of the face:
As the years go by, the face does not simply age due to the appearance of wrinkles or a loss of skin firmness. The main cause is that the small deposits of natural fat that give the face its structure gradually lose volume and shift position, whilst the bone structure undergoes a slight natural wear and tear. Thanks to facial lipofilling, we can restore that harmony in a very subtle way, bringing back definition and a youthful appearance to the face without losing its natural expression.
- Cheekbones and cheeks: Restores the projection and definition of the midface.
- Nasolabial folds and marionette lines:It reduces deep wrinkles by restoring structural support.
- Temples and temporal fossa: It fills the temporary void that is characteristic of the passage of time.
- Dark circles and the tear trough: It corrects the appearance of tired-looking eyes by plumping up the thin skin of the lower eyelid.
- Jawline and chin: Sculpt and contour the face with absolute ease.
Breast augmentation using the patient’s own fat is an excellent option for those looking to gain a little more volume (usually between one and one-and-a-half cup sizes per session) in a very natural way and without using silicone implants.
Furthermore, in the field of body contouring, this technique is extremely helpful for:
- Correcting breast asymmetry: To correct asymmetries present from birth or resulting from previous operations.
- Softening scars: To conceal scars or areas of skin depression following breast cancer surgery.
- Improving the appearance of implants: To conceal visible edges or implant rippling in women who already have implants.
- To treat the after-effects of lumpectomies for breast cancer or the effects of radiotherapy on the skin.
In body contouring, fat transfer to the buttocks allows this area to be sculpted, lifted and given more projection using fat extracted from nearby areas, such as the waist or abdomen. This combined treatment sculpts the silhouette holistically: it slims the waist whilst adding firmness and volume to the buttocks, achieving a balanced result that is soft to the touch and looks completely natural.
En Turó Park Aesthetic, estamos comprometidos con tu bienestar antes, durante y después del procedimiento, asegurándote profesionalismo no solo en el tratamiento sino en el camino hacia la recuperación.
Pre-operative recommendations and post-operative care
The ultimate success of a fat transfer procedure depends not only on the rigour applied in the operating theatre, but also on strict adherence to medical guidelines both before and after the procedure.
- Comprehensive health assessment: A full blood test, an electrocardiogram and specific imaging tests in the case of breast screening (ultrasound or mammogram).
- Giving up smoking: It is essential to stop smoking at least 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after the procedure. Nicotine causes peripheral vasoconstriction, reducing the supply of oxygen and seriously compromising the survival of the fat graft.
- Wearing a compression garment: In the area from which the fat was removed (the donor site), it is important to wear a moderate-compression garment for 3 to 4 weeks. This helps to prevent the build-up of fluid (seroma) and helps the skin to gently adapt to your new figure.
- Protect the area where the fat was injected: In the recipient area, you must not apply direct pressure, massage the area or wear tight-fitting clothing during the first few weeks. This care is essential to ensure that the small blood vessels that are forming are not crushed and that the fat can take hold properly.
- Returning to physical activity: Observe relative rest for the first 3 to 5 days and gradually resume intense physical exercise from the fourth week after surgery.
- Progression of oedema (swelling): It is perfectly normal for slight swelling and small bruises (ecchymosis) to appear in the treated areas; these will fade naturally within the first 10 to 14 days.
The lipotransfer procedure, step by step, at Turó Park Clinics
To ensure that fat cells survive following transplantation and that the results remain stable in the long term, the extraction and preparation of fat require an extremely precise and delicate surgical technique. At Turó Park Clinics, we carry out this procedure using an advanced protocol structured around three key steps:
Under local anaesthesia with sedation or general anaesthesia (depending on the volume and extent of the area to be treated), we perform liposuction (fat removal) using fine, soft-tipped cannulas. This procedure is carried out manually and very gently at low pressure, which prevents the fat cells from being damaged and allows all their regenerative properties to be preserved.
The freshly extracted fat contains a mixture of live adipocytes, connective tissue, plasma, local anaesthetic and free lipid residues. To select only the highest-quality fat, we subject it to a delicate filtering process or gentle centrifugation. This allows us to isolate only the healthy fat cells that are highly concentrated in stem cells.
We inject the purified fat into the target area using microcannulas. To ensure that the tissue takes hold and survives in the long term, the fat is deposited at different depths (subcutaneously, intramuscularly or subperiosteally). This allows the body’s blood vessels to quickly supply the new fat with nutrients, ensuring a firm, natural and long-lasting result.
Our specialists are just a click away. Schedule your initial consultation and receive a treatment plan tailored specifically for you.
What do our patients say?
Preguntas frecuentes sobre el Lipofilling (FAQ)
The results of lipofilling are permanent. Once the grafted fat cells have established blood vessels (neovascularisation) during the first three months following surgery, the fat becomes fully integrated and behaves like any other living adipose tissue in the body.
From a physiological perspective, it is well documented that the body naturally reabsorbs between 20 per cent and 40 per cent of the injected volume during the first 90 days following the procedure. For this reason, at Turó Park Clinics we carefully calculate a slight margin of overcorrection during the procedure. Once this initial period has passed, the remaining volume remains stable in the long term.
The procedure is carried out under appropriate anaesthesia to ensure a pain-free operation. During the post-operative period, discomfort in the donor site is moderate and very similar to the feeling of muscle soreness following intense physical exercise. Discomfort in the recipient site is minimal. All such discomfort is effectively managed using the pain relief regimen prescribed by the doctor.
The transplanted fat cells retain their metabolic memory. If the patient experiences significant weight fluctuations in the future, the adipocytes in the recipient site will increase or decrease in volume in proportion to the rest of the body’s fat tissue.
Why have lipofilling with Dr Oriol Cases at Turó Park Clinics?
Lipotransfer treatment requires refined surgical skill, a thorough understanding of vascular anatomy and a keen aesthetic sensibility. The Dr. Oriol Cases, a surgeon specialising in plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic surgery, assesses each case thoroughly in order to devise a surgical plan tailored to each individual’s expectations and unique physical characteristics.
At Turó Park Clinics, situated in the heart of Barcelona, we offer you a private, discreet medical environment equipped with state-of-the-art technology, supported by a multidisciplinary team who will provide you with personalised care in your own language. If you would like a personalised assessment of your case, we invite you to book an assessment consultation with our medical team.
About the author: This content has been written and reviewed by the medical team at Turó Park Clinics, under the direct supervision of Dr Oriol Cases, a specialist in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery. With over 10 years’ clinical and research experience in the field of advanced body contouring and facial surgery, Dr Cases advocates a surgical practice based on scientific evidence, technical precision and an unwavering commitment to natural-looking results and patient safety.