- Oberhöchstadter Str. 8, 61440 Oberursel
- 06171 591 91
- Am Salzhaus 6, 60311 Frankfurt am Main
- 069 920 380 90
Lipofilling – also Autologous Fat Grafting or Fat Transfer —is a method of facial rejuvenation using the body’s own fat tissue. In this procedure, we gently extract fat from areas with excess fat (such as the abdomen, hips, or thighs), carefully process it, and inject it into the desired areas of the face.
The result: a naturally refreshed, fuller-looking face with soft contours and improved skin texture.
Unlike with fillers, the material comes from your own body, so incompatibility is not expected. However, some of the transferred fat is reabsorbed, so the final volume isn’t visible until after a few months, and a second session is sometimes recommended. Sufficient fat reserves at the donor site are required. This procedure differs from a facelift in its approach: a facelift lifts sagging tissue, whereas this procedure replaces lost volume—in cases of significant excess skin, autologous fat alone is not sufficient. Consultations take place in Frankfurt, and surgeries are performed in Oberursel.
Advantages · Who is it for? · Areas of Treatment · Procedure · Aftercare Timeline · Risks · Costs · Alternatives · Team · FAQ · Date
Perhaps you're familiar with this feeling: You look in the mirror and see sunken cheeks, tired eyes, or deep wrinkles that make you look older than you feel. That youthful fullness is gone, and with it, a part of your radiance.
“I didn’t want to look like I’d been pumped full of fillers. I just wanted my face back—with its natural fullness and freshness.”—That’s how one of our patients describes how she felt before the treatment.
Autologous fat transfer isn't about conforming to a beauty ideal. It's about restoring lost volume using your body's own tissue—without artificial fillers that need to be replaced every few months, and without foreign substances that your body rejects.
We’ll be with you every step of the way—with our experience, tact, and the goal of helping you maintain your natural radiance for years to come.
Medically reviewed ✓
Written by Dr. med. Zeynep Potente
Board-Certified Specialist in Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery
✓ Member of the DGPRÄC (German Society of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgeons)
EBOPRAS – European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery - ebopras.eu
✓ Over 20 years of experience in plastic surgery
✓ Specialization: Facial surgery and autologous fat transfer
📅 Last updated: August 11, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 on Google · over 300 more reviews on Jameda
✓ Member of the DGPRÄC (German Society of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgeons)
✓ Our own certified operating rooms in Frankfurt and Oberursel
✓ 100% natural – Only the body's own tissue, no foreign substances
✓ Long-lasting to permanent – Fat cells that have formed remain in place
✓ No allergies – Your body accepts its own tissue without any problems
✓ Double Effect – Fat reduction in unwanted areas, facial contouring
✓ Natural Look – Soft, natural contours instead of artificial fullness
✓ Skin improvement included – Stem cells in fat improve skin quality
✓ Versatile – For cheeks, temples, lips, the tear trough, and more
✓ Can be combined – Ideal in combination with a facelift, eyelid lift, or other treatments
If you're experiencing a loss of facial volume
Over the years, the face loses its youthful fullness. The cheeks sag, the temples become hollow, and the nasolabial folds deepen. The tear troughs also become more visible, and the face takes on an overall tired and worn-out appearance. This loss of volume cannot be compensated for by creams or exercise—targeted volume therapy is necessary here.
If you want natural, long-lasting results
Hyaluronic acid fillers need to be touched up every 6 to 18 months. Autologous fat, on the other hand, is permanent once it has taken hold. Do you prefer using your own body’s tissue and want to avoid synthetic fillers? Then lipofilling is the right choice for you. The treatment is particularly suitable for patients seeking a natural approach to facial rejuvenation.
When is a medical evaluation advisable?
If you are very slim and have little body fat, we should determine during the consultation whether you have sufficient body fat available. If you have blood clotting disorders, diabetes, or other pre-existing conditions, a thorough preliminary examination is important. Smokers should avoid nicotine for at least 6 weeks before and after treatment, as it impairs blood circulation and the growth of fat cells.
| Area | Application | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Wangen | Adding Volume to Sunken Cheeks | Youthful fullness, defined cheekbones | temples | Filling in sunken temples | Harmonious Facial Contours |
| Tear Trough | Dermal Filler Treatment for Dark Circles Under the Eyes | A fresh, alert perspective |
| Nasolabial folds | Smoothing out the wrinkles from the nose to the corners of the mouth | Softer facial features | Puppet lines | Filling in the wrinkles at the corners of the mouth | A more friendly expression | Lips | Natural Lip Augmentation | Full, soft lips |
| Chin & Jawline | Definition and Delineation | Clearer facial contours |
| Scars & Dents | Filling in Sunken Areas of Skin | Smoother Skin |
We take the time to listen to you. During a detailed consultation, we analyze your facial structure, discuss your goals, and create a personalized treatment plan.
What we'll discuss:
Step 1: Fat Removal (Liposuction)
Under local anesthesia or twilight sedation, we gently remove fat tissue from a suitable area of the body—usually the abdomen, hips, or inner thighs. The fat is removed through small, barely visible punctures using a thin cannula. Only as much fat as is needed for the treatment is removed.
Step 2: Processing the autologous fat
The harvested adipose tissue is carefully cleaned and processed. During this process, blood, fluid, and damaged cells are removed, leaving only intact, viable fat cells. These cells are particularly rich in stem cells and growth factors, which further contribute to skin rejuvenation.
Step 3: Facial Injection
Using fine cannulas, the processed autologous fat is precisely injected into the desired areas of the face. We deposit many small fat deposits in various layers of tissue so that the fat cells receive an optimal blood supply and can grow. This technique requires experience and a delicate touch to achieve an even, natural-looking result.
Where does the treatment take place?
In our own certified operating rooms in Oberursel (Oberhöchstadter Str. 8). From preparation through treatment to the recovery room—everything under one roof.
Our specialist in anesthesiology, Dr. med. Livia Köhler, will personally assist you throughout your entire treatment.
The First 24 Hours: Cooling and Rest
You can go home immediately after the treatment. Gently cool the treated areas of your face with cold compresses for 10 to 15 minutes several times a day. Wear a compression bandage or compression garments over the harvest sites. Keep your head elevated and get plenty of rest. Mild swelling in your face and at the harvest sites is completely normal.
Days 2–7: Reducing swelling and showering
Starting on the second day, you may shower gently. The swelling in your face will subside, but may still be visible for 1 to 2 weeks. Minor bruising at the extraction sites will fade within 5 to 10 days. You can gently apply makeup again after 2 to 3 days. Avoid vigorous facial massages and extreme facial expressions.
Weeks 2–4: Socially Adapted and Mobile
After 1 to 2 weeks, most patients are ready to return to social activities. The swelling has largely subsided, and the face already looks noticeably refreshed. Please note: A portion of the fat cells (approx. 30%) is broken down by the body in the first few weeks—this is normal and is already factored into the treatment.
Weeks 4–12: Fat Accumulates
During the first 3 months, the remaining fat cells grow into the tissue. They are supplied with blood vessels and settle in permanently. After about 3 months, the process is complete, and you will see the final result. Approximately 70% of the injected autologous fat is permanently retained.
Sports, Sun, and Sauna: Take a 3–6-week break
Give your body at least 3 weeks off from intense exercise. You can start taking light walks sooner. You should avoid saunas, swimming pools, and direct sunlight for 4 to 6 weeks, as heat increases blood flow and can interfere with the growth of fat cells.
The final result after 3–6 months
The full final results of your autologous fat transfer treatment will be visible after 3 to 6 months—by then, all the fat cells will have taken hold, the healing process will be complete, and you’ll be able to fully enjoy your naturally rejuvenated face.
As with any treatment, there are potential risks associated with lipofilling. We will discuss these with you in detail:
Common (temporary):
Rare:
Very rare:
Our experienced team minimizes these risks through precise techniques, careful patient selection, and close follow-up care. It is especially important that you consistently avoid nicotine before and after treatment.
The cost depends on the extent of the treatment, the amount of fat required, and the type of anesthesia chosen.
| Performance | Costs starting at |
|---|---|
| Lipofilling of a single area (e.g., tear trough) | 1.800 € |
| Lipofilling of multiple areas | 2.500 € |
| Lipofilling for Total Facial Rejuvenation | 3.500 € |
| In addition: Anesthesia (twilight sleep) | approx. 400–600 € |
| In addition: Anesthesia | approx. 700–900 € |
What's included in the price?
Cash acquisition?
Facial lipofilling is generally considered a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by health insurance. Exception: In cases of scar correction following accidents or surgeries, coverage may be available on a case-by-case basis.
Alternatives Without Natural Fat
Depending on the diagnosis, other treatments may also be helpful:
Useful Combinations
The results can often be improved with complementary treatments:
We provide honest, personalized advice—only what truly suits you and meets your needs.
The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. After 1 to 2 weeks, most patients are able to resume their normal social activities. Exercise is possible after 3 to 4 weeks. You will see the final results after 3 to 6 months, once all the fat cells have fully developed.
In most cases, local anesthesia or light sedation is sufficient. General anesthesia is used only for very extensive procedures or at your request.
Once fat cells have formed, they remain permanently—often for many years or even decades. However, they are subject to normal weight fluctuations: they can grow larger when you gain weight and shrink when you lose weight. The natural aging process continues, but at a significantly slower pace.
About 70% of the injected fat cells remain permanently. The remaining approximately 30% are broken down by the body in the first few weeks. We take this into account during treatment and inject a little more to achieve the desired final result. In some cases, a second session is recommended.
During the procedure, you won’t feel anything because of the anesthesia. Afterward, you may feel a slight sensation of pressure at the extraction sites, similar to muscle soreness. On the face, most patients feel only a slight tightness. Pain relievers are rarely needed.
For an autologous fat transfer procedure, we need small fat deposits on the body. For very slim patients with a body fat percentage below 15%, it can be difficult to harvest enough fat. In this case, we discuss alternatives such as Hyaluronic Acid Fillers or Sculptra.
Yes, that’s actually common practice and makes sense. We harvest fat once and can inject it into several areas—the cheeks, temples, tear troughs, and lips. This allows us to achieve a harmonious overall look in just one session.
Nicotine constricts blood vessels and severely impairs blood flow. However, the transplanted fat cells need good blood flow to take root and survive. Smoking can cause significantly more fat cells to die, leading to disappointing results. Therefore, it is absolutely essential to quit smoking 6 weeks before and after the treatment.
Duration of treatment: 1–2 hours
Type of anesthesia: Local, twilight sleep, or short-acting anesthesia
Hospitalization: Outpatient (no overnight stay)
Incapacity for work: 1–2 weeks (depending on the profession)
Sport: after 3–4 weeks
Socially Acceptable: after 1–2 weeks
Final result visible: after 3–6 months
Shelf life: Permanent (adipocytes that have grown into the tissue)
Growth rate: Approx. 70% of the injected fat cells
Costs: starting at 1,800 €
Acquisition of a pharmacy: Only when medically indicated (e.g., scar correction)
Follow-up care included: Yes, all follow-up appointments
Write to us! We will be happy to advise you!
