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Albany, NY
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Albany, NY

Fat Grafting

Introduction

Introduction to Fat Grafting

Many patients notice areas of their body that feel “deflated” or lacking fullness, whether from aging, weight loss, pregnancy, or simply natural shape. At the same time, stubborn fat in other areas may be difficult to lose, no matter how consistent your lifestyle habits are.

Fat grafting at Fournier Plastic Surgery in Albany, NY, offers a unique solution that enhances volume naturally, using your own fat to restore contours in a way that feels soft, long-lasting, and personal to your body. This technique allows Dr. Craig Fournier to refine proportions, smooth transitions, and create fuller curves while minimizing the need for synthetic fillers or implants.

It is one of the most effective and versatile procedures for anyone seeking subtle or significant enhancement with natural-looking results.

What is Fat Grafting?

Fat grafting, also known as fat transfer, is a multi-step procedure where unwanted fat is gently removed from one area of the body through liposuction, purified, and then strategically injected into another area that needs added volume or improved contour.

Common treatment areas include the face, breasts, buttocks, and hips, but the technique can be customized to almost any region. Because the volume added is your own living tissue, the results look and feel incredibly natural.

Once the transferred fat establishes a blood supply and integrates with surrounding tissue, the improvement becomes long-lasting and behaves just like the rest of your body’s fat.

A woman with curly blonde hair wearing a textured black long-sleeve top, posing with one arm raised to emphasize her silhouette.

Fat Grafting Brazilian Butt Lift

A Brazilian Butt Lift is one of the most popular applications of fat grafting, helping patients achieve fuller, rounder, or more lifted buttocks without implants.

During a BBL, Dr. Fournier removes unwanted fat from areas such as the abdomen, waist, flanks, or thighs, naturally sculpting the midsection, before carefully injecting purified fat into the buttocks and hips. This dual benefit creates an enhanced hourglass silhouette by both reducing stubborn pockets of fat and improving volume where it’s desired most. The transferred fat is placed in layers to create natural contours, smooth transitions, and a shape that complements your proportions. With proper technique and patient selection, the results can be long-lasting, soft to the touch, and beautifully balanced with the rest of the body.

Who Are the Best Candidates For Fat Grafting?

Usually, the best candidates in Albany are individuals who want to enhance volume or contour using a natural method rather than implants or fillers. Candidates should have adequate fat stores in areas where liposuction can be safely performed and should be in good general health with stable weight. Fat grafting is particularly beneficial for patients who want:

  • Fuller buttocks or hips
  • Enhanced facial volume to address aging
  • Improved breast contour
  • Refinement of contour irregularities from previous procedures

Non-smokers or those willing to stop smoking temporarily are required, as nicotine can impair blood flow and affect fat survival.

What Are the Benefits of Fat Grafting?

Fat grafting offers numerous advantages, making it an appealing choice for patients seeking natural enhancement.

Benefits include:

  • Natural, long-lasting volume using your own tissue
  • Improved body contour through targeted liposuction
  • No risk of allergic reaction since the material is autologous
  • Extremely customizable for small refinements or dramatic transformation
  • Soft, natural feel compared to synthetic fillers or implants
  • Enhanced proportions, particularly with techniques like the Brazilian Butt Lift
  • Dual benefit of fat removal and volume enhancement in one procedure

Patients often appreciate the subtlety and authenticity of their results, with enhanced curves or features that look like theirs, not “done.”

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What’s the First Step?

To begin, you’ll want a consultation with Dr. Fournier at Fournier Plastic Surgery in Albany, NY. This is an opportunity to discuss your goals, review your areas of concern, and identify the regions where fat can be harvested and transferred.

Dr. Fournier will outline what results you can realistically expect, explain the techniques involved, and walk you through each stage of the process. You’ll also review medical history, lifestyle habits, and any relevant health considerations to determine the safest and most effective surgical plan.

What to Expect on the Day of Fat Grafting Surgery

On the day of your procedure, you’ll be greeted by the surgical team and prepared for anesthesia, typically general anesthesia for more extensive fat transfers like BBL, or local anesthesia with sedation for smaller areas.

Dr. Fournier will begin by performing liposuction in the predetermined donor sites, using precise, gentle techniques to protect the integrity of the fat cells. The fat is then purified and carefully injected into the desired areas using layering techniques that ensure smoothness, symmetry, and natural contour. Meticulous attention to detail and placement utilizing ultrasound guidance is performed to ensure your safety throughout the procedure. After surgery, you’ll spend time in recovery until you’re ready to return home with detailed instructions. Most patients experience swelling and mild soreness, especially in liposuctioned areas, but discomfort steadily improves over the first week.

A bright, close-up shot of Dr. Fournier smiling warmly as he shakes hands with a patient, conveying a sense of trust and successful results.

Fat Grafting Recovery

Recovery varies depending on the amount of fat removed and transferred, but most patients find the healing period manageable.

Swelling and bruising in both donor and grafted areas are expected, and compression garments are worn to support the treated areas, reduce swelling, and help guide your new shape. For BBL patients, minimizing pressure on the buttocks is important to help the transferred fat establish proper blood flow. This often includes using a special pillow or modifying daily sitting and sleeping positions. Light walking is encouraged early on, but strenuous activity and high-impact exercise should be avoided for several weeks.

As swelling decreases over 1–3 months, your new shape will become more visible, and final results continue to refine over 3–6 months as the fat fully integrates.

How Much Does a Fat Grafting Cost in Albany, NY?

The cost of a Fat Grafting in Albany, NY, depends on several factors, including the number of areas requiring liposuction, the volume of fat being transferred, anesthesia fees, and the complexity of the surgical plan.

In Albany, pricing typically ranges from the thousands to the tens of thousands, with Brazilian Butt Lift procedures sometimes reaching higher levels due to the extensive liposuction and grafting involved. You’ll receive a detailed cost estimate at your consultation, outlining all associated fees and ensuring complete transparency before scheduling.

Dr. Fournier, dressed in black clinical scrubs, sits with a patient in a comfortable lounge area while sharing information on a digital tablet.

Our Ethos

Why Choose Dr. Fournier?

Dr. Craig Fournier is a board-certified plastic surgeon affiliated with the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and has years of experience in fat grafting and body contouring procedures.

His approach focuses on safely achieving natural-looking enhancement, creating balanced proportions, and maximizing fat survival through precise handling and technique. Patients appreciate his thorough, attentive consultations and the supportive environment he provides throughout their surgical journey in Albany, NY.

Fat Grafting FAQ’S

Patient Reviews

  • ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    Such An Amazing Doctor

    Dr. Fournier is not only dedicated to patient satisfaction and providing optimal results, he is compassionate, attentive and patient centered. He understands the importance of recognizing the unique needs of each patient and thus, focuses on individualizing his treatments so to maximize success for each patient . I would highly recommend Dr. Fournier to anyone considering a cosmetic procedure.

    – Cristine S.

  • ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    Such an Amazing Doctor.

    Dr. Fournier is amazing. I had went in for a consult for a septoplasty/rhinoplasty. He was easy to talk to and very nonchalant but in the best way possible! He checked on me before my surgery and discussed what I wanted one last time. The day of he was very calm which also helped me stay calm. My recovery was also so easy, which shows he is very skilled at what he does. I had 0 bruising and very minimal swelling. I could also breathe so much better on day 1 of recovery and now 2 weeks later I have never been able to breathe the way I can now. If I ever need another procedure in the future I will be coming back to him!

     

    – Loprencak

  • ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    My confidence has been on 10 since my surgery

    One of the best plastic surgeons in New York very caring and understanding. If your looking for the snatched look in New York this is definitely the doctor to go to. I was so amazed with his work. I had a tummy tuck with lipo, back lift and my hip dips filled in. I get so many compliments and my confidence has been on 10 since my surgery. I recommend all my family and friends to Dr.Fournier. Thanks again for making me feel good about myself again. You are truly the best.

    – sheemy05

  • ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    Very helpful with the do’s and don’t and after care routine

    I had been going back and forth looking for the right surgeon for my face lift for the past 5 years, and finally decided to go through with it when I meet Dr. Fournier. From the first consultation, I was very impressed and makes me feel comfortable right away. While the others consultations with different Doctors, always left me with more questions and insecurities with Dr. Fournier all of my questions were answer in a professional and sincere manner. They were very helpful with the do and don’t and after care routine. To say that I am overjoyed with the results is an understatement. Dr. Fournier care and attention to every detail shows through in the results and I could not be happier. I would definitely recommend anyone interested in Facelift to Dr. Fournier

    – Leslie L.

Schedule Your Consultation

Getting started with your consultation is as simple as giving us a call or requesting an appointment online with our consultation form. We welcome all those across Albany and beyond to work with Dr. Fournier and discover what fat grafting can do for you.

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