What is fat grafting and how does it work?

Fat grafting, also called fat transfer or lipofilling, is a procedure that uses your own body fat to add volume, smooth contours, or rejuvenate areas that have lost fullness. At Leva Medical in Queens, NY, Dr. Jean-Paul Leva, FACS harvests fat from donor areas like the abdomen or thighs via gentle liposuction, purifies it through specialized processing, then precisely injects it into the target area. Because the procedure uses your own tissue, there is virtually no risk of allergic reaction or rejection. Fat grafting can be performed on the face (cheeks, under-eyes, lips, temples), breasts, buttocks (Brazilian butt lift), and hands. Approximately 60-80% of transferred fat survives permanently, providing long-lasting natural results. The procedure offers dual benefits: slimming the donor site while enhancing the recipient area.

What areas can be treated with fat transfer?

Fat grafting at Leva Medical can enhance virtually any area that has lost volume or needs augmentation. Facial fat transfer is popular for restoring youthful volume to the cheeks, temples, under-eye hollows, nasolabial folds, and lips. This is especially beneficial for patients experiencing facial volume loss after weight loss or aging. For the body, fat transfer to the buttocks (Brazilian butt lift/BBL) creates a fuller, lifted appearance using your own natural tissue. Breast fat grafting can increase breast size modestly or correct asymmetry without implants. Hand rejuvenation with fat grafting conceals visible veins and tendons. Dr. Jean-Paul Leva, FACS tailors each fat grafting procedure to your specific anatomy and goals during a complimentary consultation in Queens, NY. The approach, volume, and technique vary by treatment area to maximize fat survival and ensure natural results.

How long do fat grafting results last?

Fat grafting results at Leva Medical are designed to be long-lasting. Once the transferred fat cells establish a blood supply in their new location (typically within 3-6 months), approximately 60-80% of the grafted fat survives permanently. You'll see initial volume immediately after the procedure, followed by some natural absorption over the first 2-3 months as your body reabsorbs fat cells that didn't establish blood supply. The surviving fat behaves like normal fat tissue — it will fluctuate slightly with weight changes. For facial fat grafting, results typically last 5-10 years or longer. For body fat grafting (BBL), results are considered permanent once past the 6-month mark, provided you maintain a stable weight. Dr. Jean-Paul Leva may recommend a touch-up session 6 months after the initial procedure if additional volume is desired. Post-operative care instructions are critical for maximizing fat survival rates.

Is fat grafting safer than implants or fillers?

Fat grafting offers unique safety advantages because it uses your own body tissue, eliminating risks of allergic reactions, implant complications, or foreign body responses. At Leva Medical, Dr. Jean-Paul Leva, FACS considers fat grafting one of the safest augmentation options available. Unlike synthetic fillers that require repeated treatments, fat grafting provides a more permanent solution. Unlike implants, there's no risk of capsular contracture, implant rupture, or the need for future replacement surgery. The procedure carries standard surgical risks including swelling, bruising, and asymmetry, but serious complications are rare with an experienced surgeon. Fat grafting is particularly advantageous for patients who want natural-feeling results — transferred fat looks and feels identical to native tissue. During your consultation in Queens, NY, Dr. Leva discusses whether fat grafting, fillers, or implants best suit your goals and anatomy.

How much does fat grafting cost in Queens, NY?

Fat grafting costs at Leva Medical in Queens, NY depend on the treatment area and volume of fat transferred. Facial fat grafting typically ranges from $4,000 to $7,000, covering multiple areas like cheeks, under-eyes, and temples. Body fat grafting procedures like the Brazilian butt lift range from $9,000 to $14,000. Breast fat grafting for modest augmentation ranges from $6,000 to $10,000. All pricing is all-inclusive, covering the surgeon's fee, anesthesia, facility, fat processing, and follow-up visits. Dr. Jean-Paul Leva offers complimentary consultations with personalized quotes. Flexible financing through CareCredit and monthly payment plans make the procedure accessible. Queens patients typically save 20-30% compared to Manhattan pricing. Fat grafting can be cost-effective long-term compared to repeated filler treatments that require maintenance every 6-18 months.

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Natural Volume Restoration, Performed by Board‑Certified Surgeons

Facial Fat Transfer

What Is Fat Grafting / Cheeks Transfer?

This procedure relocates tiny parcels of fat from a spot you don’t want (often the abdomen or flanks) to the mid-face, rebuilding volume lost to aging or weight changes.

Because the living cells integrate with local tissue, results feel silky-soft and long-lasting—typically years, not months. Most swelling fades in 7–10 days, and you may resume desk work in one week.

Ideal for: Adults who would need more than 1–2 syringes of dermal filler and want a natural, longer-lasting solution without implants.

How Fat Grafting / Cheeks Transfer Works

Prep & anesthesia

local tumescent anesthesia with light oral sedation (general available on request).

Harvest

Gentle micro-liposuction removes fat, which is then washed and purified.

Enrichment (optional)

your surgeon can mix the purified fat with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or biostimulatory agents to boost collagen and prolong results.

Transfer

Micro-injections layer the fat precisely to sculpt the apple of your cheek.

Timeline

1.5–2 hours total; cool compresses and head elevation for the first 48 hours.

Follow-up

in-office checks at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and doctor-guided follow-up through 12 months.

Long-term volume

viable fat cells can survive indefinitely.

All-natural

no foreign materials, so no allergy risk.

Two-in-one contouring

slim a donor area while plumping the face.

Minimal scarring

2–3 mm entry points fade quickly.

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“Leva Medical is New York’s best-kept secret—exceptional care from doctors who truly care. I recommend them without reservation.”

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"Leva Medical is amazing! Dr. Jackie’s laser treatments visibly improved my skin and boosted my confidence. I’m looking forward to my next session."

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“Dr. Jean‑Paul is gentle, attentive, and incredibly skilled. After my eyelid surgery, liposuction, and breast augmentation, over‑the‑counter pain relief was enough for me. The results exceeded my expectations, and I trust the team for any future procedure.”

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“Outstanding care and results! The doctors helped me address my hair‑loss concerns, and I’ve seen noticeable improvement. Highly recommend the entire Leva Medical staff!”

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“El trato fue fenomenal. Desde que llegué me hicieron sentir cómoda y escucharon cada una de mis inquietudes. El profesionalismo del equipo es evidente y mi confianza mejoró muchísimo después del procedimiento. ¡Gracias!”

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Why Leva Medical?

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Your surgery is performed by a board-certified surgeon, with non-surgical enhancements managed by our aesthetic specialist.

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Warm, transparent care in English or Spanish.

Tailored plans & natural-looking results
We craft a hand-in-glove treatment that fits your unique anatomy—never a one-size-fits-all template.

12-month doctor-guided follow-up
Complimentary visits keep healing on track.

Transparent, easy-to-understand pricing
Clear quotes upfront with zero surprise fees.

FAQs

Are your doctors bilingual?

Yes. Every physician in our practice is fully fluent in both English and Spanish, ensuring clear,comfortable communication for all patients.

Who conducts the consultation—doctor or coordinator?

Every consultation is with a board-certified doctor, never a patient coordinator, so you discuss goals, options, and pricing directly with the physician who will oversee your care.

Who actually performs my surgery—or my injectables?

Surgical procedures: handled start-to-finish by Dr. Jean-Paul Leva, FACS, double board-certified surgeon. Injectables, lasers & advanced skin therapies: performed by Dr. Jacquelline Leva, triple board-certified aesthetics specialist. No PAs, NPs, residents, or “ghost surgeons.”

What anesthesia and patient-safety standards do you follow?

Anesthesia is tailored to you—local (awake) or full general. When general is required, it’s delivered exclusively by a board-certified physician anesthesiologist (MD or DO) for hospital-grade safety.

How soon can I get back to work or normal life after surgery?

Local-anesthesia procedures: most desk-based patients return in 3–7 days. General-anesthesia surgeries: plan on 1–2 weeks for office jobs. Heavy lifting (> 15 lb) is paused 4–6 weeks.

Do you offer non-surgical treatments—and who provides them?

We deliver a full spectrum of non-surgical services—injectables, lasers, PRP, advanced skincare, and physician-supervised weight-loss plans. Each treatment is performed by the doctor who specializes in that discipline, giving you board-certified expertise tailored to your goals.

What quality standards do you follow—do you ever cut corners?

Never. We invest in FDA-cleared technology, premium micro-surgical sutures, and medical-grade products for every procedure and treatment. You have only one body—so we treat it with the highest standards and utmost care. Don’t cut corners when it comes to your health—no shortcuts, ever.

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Facial Fat Transfer

What Is Fat Grafting / Cheeks Transfer?

How Fat Grafting / Cheeks Transfer Works

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Are your doctors bilingual?

Who conducts the consultation—doctor or coordinator?

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What anesthesia and patient-safety standards do you follow?

How soon can I get back to work or normal life after surgery?

Do you offer non-surgical treatments—and who provides them?

What quality standards do you follow—do you ever cut corners?

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