Fat Grafting

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Tampa and Lakeland, FL

Fat grafting is a body contouring procedure that uses your body’s own fat to enhance your curves. (1) A surgeon uses liposuction to take fat from one region of the body before purifying it and transferring it to another area to refine its appearance.

Finer You is one of Tampa and Lakeland’s leading aesthetic practices. Our team is led by Dr. Jacob Gerzenshtein and Dr. Anahita Azharian.

Dr. Gerzenshtein is a double board-certified and fellowship-trained plastic surgeon. He has helped countless patients refine their appearance, whether they are looking for subtle results or a dramatic transformation.

Dr. Azharian is a board-certified and fellowship-trained plastic surgeon who trained under some of the leading plastic surgeons in the mid-Atlantic region. She offers an array of procedures for the face, breasts, and body in both English and Farsi, making her services more widely accessible.

To learn more about how fat grafting can benefit you, please contact us online or call (863) 647-2200.

About Fat Grafting

Fat grafting is a body contouring procedure that uses liposuction techniques to remove fat from one region of the body before it is processed and readministered into another region. This procedure is also known as autologous fat grafting, and it can address various concerns such as asymmetry, visible signs of aging, disproportionate curves, and more.

What Regions Can Fat Grafting Correct?

Dr. Gerzenshtein and Dr. Azharian can address several areas of the body with fat grafting. During your consultation, they will assess your natural anatomy to determine what regions will benefit most.

  • Breasts: The breasts are one of the most common fat graft sites. (2) Your surgeon can administer fat in this region to improve their size, shape, symmetry, and fullness while maintaining the natural softness.
  • Buttocks: Fat grafting to the buttocks, also known as a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL), is a procedure that can improve the fullness and sculpt of the buttocks. This procedure can enhance your proportions while elevating your sense of self-confidence.
  • Face: Your surgeon can administer your fat back into various regions of the face to restore a more youthful-looking appearance. The fat can be used to elevate the fullness of the lips, create more contoured cheekbones, and fill in wrinkles and creases, allowing you to comprehensively rejuvenate your facial aesthetics without the need for synthetic injectables.
  • Hips: Your surgeon can place fat in this area to fill in the appearance of your hip dips and create a smoother, more hourglass-shaped figure. Placing additional fat along the hips can also contribute to a more curvaceous and alluring silhouette.

Candidates

You may be an ideal candidate for fat grafting if you are interested in improving your overall silhouette while avoiding implants, injections, or other synthetic materials. You may also benefit from this procedure if you are interested in softening visible signs of aging around the face using natural means.

To qualify for fat grafting, you should be in good general health without any underlying medical conditions that may affect your recovery or results. You should have an excess amount of fat to remove and possess good skin elasticity. It is also important that you are non-smoking or willing to quit using nicotine. Dr. Azharian or Dr. Gerzenshtein will assess your candidacy during your personal consultation.

Personal Consultation

Before scheduling your procedure, you will need to meet with either Dr, Gerzenshtein or Dr. Azharian for your personal consultation. During this visit, they will review your medical history, learn more about your concerns, and discuss your desired results. They will also perform a physical examination to assess your natural anatomy, where you possess excess fat, your skin quality, and more.

Your surgeon will then use this information to create a treatment plan designed just for you. They will decide what region of the body to take fat from, how much fat to take, and where they will place the fat. Depending on your goals, they may suggest pairing your procedure with another. Dr. Azharian or Dr. Gerzenshtein will also answer any questions you may have.

If you are ready to schedule this fat grafting consultation, please contact us online or call (863) 647-2200.

Preparation

Once your surgeon has finalized your treatment plan, they will provide you with detailed instructions to help you prepare. These typically include:

  • Preparing Time Away: Take time away from your career, responsibilities, and other personal commitments to give yourself time to heal.
  • Alter Your Medications: Discontinue using blood-thinning medications and supplements leading up to your procedure.
  • Arranging Transportation Home: Have someone trusted drive you home after your procedure, as you will not be able to do so yourself.
  • Coordinating At-Home Care: Ask a relative or friend to stay with you for the first few days of your recovery.
  • Running Pre-Operative Errands: Fill your prescription and rearrange your home so it is a comfortable recovery environment.
  • Cease Substance Use: Avoid consuming nicotine and alcohol in the weeks before your procedure.
  • Care For Yourself: Eat balanced and nutritious meals and stay hydrated.

Procedure

When you arrive for your procedure, a member of the Finer You team will meet with you and lead you to a private treatment room. They will cleanse your skin and mark it before transporting you to the operating room, where you will receive local anesthesia with or without sedation.

Your surgeon will then place an incision near your donor fat before injecting the region with a solution composed of epinephrine, lidocaine, and saline. This solution will constrict the blood vessels, numb the region, and swell the fat cells for easier removal. Your surgeon will then insert a cannula through the incision to remove fat, leaving the region more slender and toned.

Your surgeon will then process the fat through a centrifuge to purify it. They will use syringes to administer it to your desired regions. The fat will be carefully layered to ensure smooth and even results. Your surgeon will then dress the region to preserve it before having you rest in a recovery room.

Recovery

Dr. Gerzenshtein and Dr. Azharian perform fat grafting on an outpatient basis, which means that they will release you from their care on the same day they perform your corrections. You can expect to initially experience some swelling, bruising, and general discomfort around the treated area. These effects will dissipate on their own, but you may also manage them using prescribed medications, a cold compress, and plenty of rest.

You may return to your career and other non-strenuous tasks after approximately 1 to 2 weeks, but you will need to refrain from anything more demanding or harsh until your surgeon has cleared you to return. Your surgeon will provide you with a detailed set of instructions when meeting with you in person. If you have questions, they will be available to answer them and provide you with further guidance.

Results

You will be able to experience the full results of your fat grafting procedure after any residual swelling has subsided. While your results will vary, you can expect improved proportions and smoother, more sculpted, and even contours.

Your body will resorb some of the fat as you recover. However, the fat that remains will stay fixed in place permanently, allowing you to enjoy your appearance for several years to come.

Cost of Fat Grafting in Tampa, Florida

The pricing of your fat grafting procedure will vary according to certain factors in your treatment plan, such as the region you are enhancing, the size of the treatment area, and the amount of fat being transferred. Once you have met with your surgeon to discuss each of these details, they will discuss your financial obligations with you.

Finer You additionally offers financing for those who qualify.

FAQ

What regions of the body can my surgeon treat with fat grafting?

Your surgeon can enhance areas such as the face, breasts, hips, and buttocks.

How much fat will my surgeon remove during my procedure?

The amount of fat removed and transferred will vary depending on the area being addressed, the size of the region, and the extent of your concerns. Your surgeon will discuss what you can expect during your consultation.

Where will my surgeon take the excess fat from?

Dr. Gerzenshtein and Dr. Azharian can take fat from most regions of the body with enough excess, like the arms, abdomen, or thighs.

How long will it take to recover from fat grafting?

Many patients at Finer You can return to nonstrenuous activities after resting for approximately 1 to 2 weeks. However, it can take several weeks longer before strenuous activities may be resumed.

How long will the results of fat grafting last?

Your body will reabsorb some of the placed fat as you recover, but what remains will stay fixed permanently.

References

  1. Vasavada A, Raggio BS. Autologous Fat Grafting For Facial Rejuvenation. PubMed. 2021. Accessed August 24, 2026. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557860/
  2. Shauly O, Gould DJ, Ghavami A. Fat Grafting: Basic Science, Techniques, and Patient Management. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2022;10(3):e3987. doi:10.1097/gox.0000000000003987