Fat Transfer
Restore Volume Naturally in Denver, CO
If you're looking for a way to restore volume and enhance the contours of your face, buttocks, or breasts without synthetic fillers or implants, fat transfer may be the solution you’ve been waiting for. At BEAUTY by BUFORD in Denver, CO, Dr. Gregory Buford uses advanced fat grafting techniques that allow you to achieve natural-looking results using your own tissue. Fat transfer offers an elegant, biologically compatible solution tailored for those who are experiencing facial volume loss, want to refine their body shape, or are interested in long-term facial rejuvenation.
Fat transfer (also known as fat grafting or autologous fat transfer) is a plastic and reconstructive surgery technique that involves removing excess fat from one area of your body and transferring it to another area that would benefit from added volume.
In facial fat transfer, small amounts of purified fat are injected into specific areas of the face to smooth wrinkles, restore youthful contours, and improve overall facial appearance. The same works for the breasts and buttocks, though a little more fat is used. The fat cells are harvested using gentle liposuction from donor sites like the abdomen, flanks, or thighs, then processed to isolate only the healthiest cells. The result is a treatment that uses your body’s own natural fat to rejuvenate and reshape with lasting, beautiful results.
Facial fat grafting is especially effective for restoring facial volume and smoothing age-related hollowing. Popular areas include:
While facial fat transfer is most common, Dr. Buford also performs fat grafting for body contouring and breast enhancement in qualified patients. The harvested fat can be placed in areas like:
Good candidates for fat transfer are typically those in good general health who have areas of excess fat and want to restore volume or enhance certain features. You should maintain a stable weight, do not smoke, and have realistic expectations about the outcome. Facial fat grafting is especially suited for those seeking a longer-lasting solution than dermal fillers or for patients who have previously used fillers and want a more permanent result. If you experience facial aging, sunken cheeks, or volume loss from the natural aging process, and you meet all of the above requirements, you are likely an excellent candidate.
Dr. Buford will conduct a physical evaluation and discuss your aesthetic goals to determine whether fat transfer is the ideal solution for you. During your consultation, he will review your medical history, evaluate donor sites for fat harvesting, and create a personalized treatment plan that supports optimal healing and natural-looking results.
Fat transfer is a versatile solution that addresses a wide range of aesthetic concerns. In the face, it restores youthful volume, improves facial contours, and softens wrinkles caused by facial aging. It can also improve the appearance of under-eye hollows, sunken cheeks, and thinning lips. Beyond facial fat transfer, this technique can correct contour irregularities after weight loss or previous surgeries, and enhance areas like the buttocks or breasts. Because it uses your own fat cells, fat grafting improves volume and skin texture with results that feel and look incredibly natural.
At BEAUTY by BUFORD, your experience starts with a detailed consultation tailored to your unique goals. During this appointment, Dr. Buford—an experienced board certified plastic surgeon—will perform a physical evaluation, review your medical history, and assess donor sites for fat harvesting, such as the abdomen, flanks, or thighs.
You’ll work together to build a personalized treatment plan that outlines every step of your facial fat transfer procedure or body fat grafting. You may be asked to pause certain medications, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and avoid smoking to encourage optimal healing. Depending on your needs, the procedure may be done with local anesthesia or general anesthesia, especially when combined with other treatments. Pre-op preparation also includes education on incision care, managing swelling, and scheduling follow-up appointments for smooth healing and long-term results.
Fat transfer procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia or general anesthesia, depending on the extent of the treatment and your personalized treatment plan. The process begins with fat harvesting from areas with excess fat, such as the abdomen, flanks, or thighs. It is gently removed using a liposuction technique to preserve the integrity of the fat cells. Once harvested, the fat is purified to remove excess fluids and damaged cells, leaving behind only the healthiest, most viable cells for transfer.
Dr. Buford then strategically reintroduces the purified fat into targeted facial areas or body regions using a very tiny, fine needle. These injection sites are chosen to address lost volume, enhance contours, or smooth out the visible effects of facial aging. Because the transferred cells must establish its own blood supply to survive, the placement is carefully layered for the best healing and volume retention.
Most patients experience mild swelling, bruising, and tenderness around the donor and injection sites—This is completely normal, and these effects typically subside within one to two weeks, though full results may take several months to stabilize as the body adjusts and the fat settles into its new home. To promote optimal healing, Dr. Buford will likely recommend avoiding intense activity, certain medications, and direct sun exposure during your recovery process. Depending on your treatment areas, you may also be advised to sleep with your head elevated and follow specific aftercare instructions tailored to your procedure.
In many cases, follow-up appointments will be scheduled to assess your healing progress and discuss any additional fat transfer sessions that may be needed to refine your results. It's important to remember that not all transferred fat survives — typically, about 50% of the grafted fat remains after healing. Dr. Buford plans for this by slightly overfilling the area, and additional treatments can be performed if desired to achieve your final aesthetic goal.
The cost of fat transfer in Denver can vary based on treatment areas, complexity, and whether additional procedures are performed. A typical facial fat transfer may range between $4,500 and $7,500, while more extensive fat grafting procedures involving the breasts or body can range higher depending on volume and areas addressed.
Because no two patients are alike, the most accurate estimate comes after an in-person consultation with Dr. Buford. We offer flexible financing options through PatientFi, Alphaeon Credit, and CareCredit, making it easier to access the expert care and beautiful results you deserve. Investing in fat transfer means choosing a long-lasting, natural-looking enhancement that evolves with you—not against you.
If you're considering fat grafting to refresh your facial appearance, restore volume, or enhance body contours using your own fat, Dr. Gregory Buford offers unmatched experience and artistry. As a recognized leader in plastic and reconstructive surgery, he blends surgical precision with advanced techniques like facial fat grafting, liposuction, and body contouring—all performed at our advanced Lone Tree surgical center just outside Denver.
Whether you want to smooth early signs of aging or refine your silhouette, your journey starts here. Call 720-924-9649 or request your consultation online to learn how fat transfer in Denver can help you look and feel your absolute best.
Fat transfer is generally well-tolerated, especially when performed with local anesthesia. Most patients describe the fat harvesting and reinjection process as mild, with some swelling or tenderness in the injection sites and donor sites for a few days.
While considered safe, risks can include asymmetry, partial fat absorption, bruising, or temporary swelling. Because fat grafting procedures use your own natural fat tissue, the risk of allergic reactions or rejection is extremely rare—especially when performed by a qualified board certified plastic surgeon.
You’ll begin to notice volume improvement in the targeted facial areas shortly after surgery, but final results typically develop over a few months as the transferred fat settles and your body heals. Longevity depends on how well the fat cells re-establish a blood supply.
Recovery varies based on treatment area, but most patients return to work or light activities within one to two weeks. Some swelling or bruising is normal and will gradually subside as part of the healing process.
Absolutely. Many patients pair facial fat grafting with facelifts, dermal fillers, or skin tightening for a more dramatic transformation. Body fat transfer procedures can also be added to tummy tucks or breast surgeries for enhanced contour and proportion.
With decades of experience, Dr. Buford has honed his skills to deliver exceptional results. Whether you're seeking to refine or rejuvenate your naturally beautiful appearance, Dr. Buford's personalized approach ensures that your needs are met with world-class skill and precision. Schedule a consultation today to put Dr. Buford’s expertise to work for you.
