Fat Grafting

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Algonquin, IL

Grafting in Algonquin, Illinois

Fat grafting, also known as autologous fat grafting, is a procedure that takes excess fat from certain areas of the body and redistributes it to other areas. (1) This procedure can restore lost volume and enhance definition in key areas. Fat grafting has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its versatile application and its ability to produce results that look and feel natural.

Utku Dolen, MD, is a plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgeon at Northwestern Medicine Plastic Surgery. He is board-certified both in the United States and in Europe by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the European Board of Plastic Surgery, respectively.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Dolen and learn more about how you can benefit from fat grafting, please call (847) 854-3522.

About Fat Grafting

Fat grafting is a procedure that harvests excess fat from around the body and reinjects it beneath the skin to improve your appearance. This procedure begins with liposuction to remove fat from certain areas of the body, such as the abdomen, flanks, or thighs. (1) This fat is then processed and carefully readministered to areas of the body that may have lost volume over time, or could benefit from enhancement. At Northwestern Medical Plastic Surgery, Dr. Dolen can perform this procedure to rejuvenate your face, hands, buttocks, or breasts for exceptional results.

Facial Fat Grafting

As we age, the face goes through many changes, such as the development of wrinkles, sagging, hollowing, and more. Dr. Dolen can perform fat grafting to the face to combat signs of aging and restore a fuller and more youthful appearance. Autologous fat, or fat from your own body, is considered by many to be the ideal filler material for facial rejuvenation, as it is completely biocompatible and produces longer-lasting results than synthetic dermal fillers. (2)

Fat Grafting to the Hands

As we age, our hands can naturally lose volume, making our veins, bones, and tendons stand out more. Fat grafting to the hands can create a softer and more youthful look so that you can feel more confident.

Fat Grafting to the Buttocks (BBL)

Fat grafting to the buttocks is a highly popular procedure also known as a Brazilian Butt Lift, or BBL for short. This procedure enhances the shape, size, and fullness of the buttocks while maintaining a natural look and feel.

Fat Grafting to the Breasts (Autologous Breast Augmentation)

Breast fat grafting provides an alternative solution if you are interested in augmenting the shape, symmetry, and volume of your breasts without using artificial implants. This method uses your own fat to provide more subtle and refined results. It may also be combined with an implant-based breast augmentation to further shape the breasts and disguise the edges of the implants.

Benefits

Fat grafting offers several powerful benefits, including:

  • Natural-Looking Results: Because the fat is taken from your own body, the results look and feel softer and more natural than synthetic implants or fillers.
  • Youthful Plumping: Dr. Dolen can administer fat to different areas to address signs of aging, such as hollowing or loss of definition.
  • Versatile Applications: This procedure can enhance several different areas of the body, including the breasts, buttocks, hands, and face.
  • Lowered Risk of Reaction: Because the fat is taken from your own body, there is less risk of allergic reactions or rejection than is associated with synthetic materials.
  • Dual Contouring: Fat grafting incorporates liposuction to harvest excess fat from the body, leaving certain areas more slender and toned.
  • Minimal Scarring: During the liposuction portion of the procedure, Dr. Dolen will make small, discreet incisions for minimal visibility.

Candidates

Candidates for fat grafting include patients with excess fat who are interested in restoring lost volume or enhancing their appearance. Anyone interested in this procedure should be in good health and have realistic expectations for their results. Patients should also be nonsmokers or willing to quit using nicotine before and after their procedure. Dr. Dolen will determine each patient’s eligibility during their personal consultation.

Personal Consultation

Before scheduling your fat grafting procedure, you will need to attend a personal consultation. You will meet with Dr. Dolen to discuss your medical history, current prescriptions, areas of concern, and ideal aesthetic appearance. He will also evaluate the treatment areas.

He will use the details he gathers during this consultation to determine your candidacy and to develop your treatment plan.

To schedule this consultation, please visit our Algonquin office or give us a call at (847) 854-3522.

We serve the areas of:

  • Barrington
  • Schamburg
  • Hoffman Estates
  • Arlington Heights
  • McHenry
  • Crystal Lake
  • Lake in the Hills
  • Algonquin
  • St. Charles
  • Union
  • Huntley
  • Carpentersville
  • DeKalb
  • Marengo
  • Woodstock
  • Carry
  • Bartlett
  • Streamwood
  • Wauconda
  • Dundee
  • Elgin
  • Aurora
  • Naperville
  • Fox Lake

Preparation

Dr. Dolen will provide you with a set of preoperative instructions to help you prepare for your fat grafting procedure. These instructions may vary between patients, but often include the following guidelines:

  • Undergo any requested imaging and lab testing to ensure you are physically fit for your procedure.
  • Cease the use of certain blood-thinning medications or supplements with approval from your primary care physician.
  • Cease nicotine use at least two months before surgery
  • Avoid alcohol for at least two weeks before surgery.
  • Arrange transportation to and from the procedure.
  • Schedule time away from work and other commitments.

Procedure

Dr. Dolen performs fat grafting procedures on an outpatient basis. Depending on the treatment area(s), the procedure can last anywhere from one to four hours.

To begin your procedure, Dr. Dolen will cleanse and sterilize your skin, and anesthesia will be administered. Dr. Dolen will first perform liposuction to harvest excess fat from predetermined areas of the body. Common donor areas include the abdomen, buttocks, flanks, and thighs. Dr. Dolen will process the harvested fat to extract and isolate the healthiest and most viable fat cells. Once the fat is prepared, he will reinject it into the targeted area(s).

Recovery

Recovery will vary depending on the areas being treated and the amount of fat being removed. During your initial recovery, you can expect to experience some swelling, tenderness, and bruising around the treated areas and donor sites. These symptoms are temporary and typically subside on their own within the following weeks, but they may also be managed using pain medications prescribed by Dr. Dolen and by following aftercare instructions.

You may return to work and light activities within one to two weeks, but you will need to continue avoiding physical or high-impact activities until Dr. Dolen clears you to return.

Results

After your recovery, you will be able to enjoy the results of your fat grafting procedure. Some of the redistributed fat will be resorbed back into the body during the recovery phase, but the remaining fat will provide permanent volume enhancement to the treated areas. Depending on the areas that received fat, patients often notice more defined curves, smoother contours, as well as an overall more youthful-looking appearance. Dr. Dolen will discuss scar-minimizing agents with you after your incisions have healed.

Corresponding Procedures

Mommy Makeover

A mommy makeover is a collection of different treatments designed to address multiple areas of the body to restore a pre-pregnancy figure. This comprehensive treatment combines both body-contouring procedures and breast enhancement procedures, often including:

Together, these different procedures can address a wide range of concerns, restoring both your figure and your confidence. Fat grafting can be easily integrated into a mommy makeover to deliver personalized results and help you achieve your aesthetic goals.

To learn more about the other procedures we offer, we recommend reading our blog!

Cost of Fat Grafting in Algonquin, Illinois

The cost of your fat grafting treatment can vary depending on the surgical techniques used, the number of treatment areas being addressed, the amount of fat being removed, and more. During your consultation, Dr. Dolen will discuss the cost of your procedure once the details of your treatment plan are established.

To learn more about the cost of your treatment, we encourage you to visit our Algonquin office or call us at (847) 854-3522.

FAQ

What areas of the body can I treat using fat grafting?

Dr. Dolen can perform fat grafting to restore fullness to the face, buttocks, breasts, and hands.

Is fat grafting safe?

Yes, because the procedure uses your own fat, the risk of rejection or allergic reactions is greatly lowered. The safety profile of fat grafting is elevated further when performed by a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon such as Dr. Dolen.

How long will the results of my fat grafting procedure last?

The results of fat grafting can last a lifetime, but it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle as fluctuations in weight can alter the long-term effects of your procedure.

Can I combine my fat grafting treatment with another aesthetic procedure?

Yes, you may combine your procedure with another for more comprehensive results. During your consultation, Dr. Dolen can provide personalized suggestions to help you further attain your desired appearance.

References

  1. 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:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000003987
  2. Vasavada A, Raggio BS. Autologous Fat Grafting for Facial Rejuvenation. Nih.gov. Published July 31, 2023. Accessed August 22, 2025. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557860/#article-21546.s4