Hi, Dr Murray here, and today I want to talk about fat transfer cost, because it’s one of the questions I get asked the most and honestly, there’s no single number I can give you. It depends on where you’re having it done and how much work goes into getting you there.
If you’re new to the procedure itself, it’s worth reading up on how fat transfer actually works before we get into pricing.
Let’s start in the face, because that’s the simplest place to explain it. If you just want a little bit put into your top lip, to top it up a touch, that’s going to be a lot cheaper than doing your whole face. And the reason for that comes down to two things: effort and time.
Why does fat transfer cost vary so much?
Fat transfer cost varies because you’re paying for the time, skill and safety that goes into each individual procedure, not a flat fee for “fat transfer” as a category. A lip top-up takes a fraction of the time that a full face does, so naturally it costs a fraction as much.
Part of that time also goes into harvesting the fat itself, which we do using liposuction before it’s purified and re-injected. We’re fully health department licensed here and also cosmetic credentialed, so there are overheads that come with that. We have good staff who are well trained, and we give you a lot of aftercare. So yes, you’re paying for that in the procedure, but that’s for your safety. You want to avoid unsafe practices, and you want a good recovery without complications.
Complications do happen. They just happen less when you’ve got good aftercare behind you, and that’s the piece that’s often missing with overseas surgery.
So with fat transfer, it really is about time. Do your whole face and it’s going to cost more than a little bit in the top lip. Prices start from $1,320, and that’s for one small area. It goes up from there depending on how many areas you’re treating and how much volume you need.
How is breast fat transfer priced differently to the face?
Breast fat transfer is priced on the same principle as facial fat transfer: the more effort, time and volume involved, the higher the cost. A little extra upper pole volume is going to be much cheaper than trying to build three cup sizes.
Now, building three cup sizes with fat transfer is a big ask. It’s not necessarily difficult in the first sitting, because you can get that volume in, but fat can settle and reduce over time, so you’ll often need top-ups down the track. That’s something everyone considering fat transfer, in any area, needs to be aware of. You do have to budget for top-ups, because a portion of transferred fat doesn’t always survive long term in every patient.
What about the trochanteric depressions, or “hip dips”?
Fat transfer to the trochanteric depressions, which most people know as hip dips, costs more because it’s a higher risk area that has to be done slowly and carefully. This is one where I’d genuinely urge caution. It sits close to some important structures, so we take our time with it. We often add ultrasound guidance to that area, or you can request it, and that extra layer of safety adds to the cost as well.
How can you avoid paying more than you need to for fat transfer?
You avoid paying more than necessary for fat transfer by choosing a properly accredited clinic the first time, so you’re not paying twice to fix a problem or top up a poor result. This is really where good aftercare earns its keep, and it’s also where a lot of people get caught out with tourist or travel surgery overseas.
Good aftercare is essential. Here, we’ve got a 24 hour, seven day a week, 365 day a year emergency after-hours line, so there’s always someone to call. You’ve also got nurses you can do video calls with, and we book you in regularly, usually day one, day two, one week, two weeks, three weeks and four weeks.
So yes, good aftercare is important, but it’s not free. It’s built into the cost of the procedure, and it’s there so problems get caught early rather than turning into something bigger down the line.
What does fat transfer typically cost, area by area?
Fat transfer cost typically scales from a small facial top-up at the lower end, through to a full face, then breast fat transfer, with the trochanteric depressions or hip dips at the higher end due to the extra caution and equipment involved.
- A small area, like the top lip: this is the least invasive and least time-intensive option, with prices starting from $1,320.
- A full face: more areas and more volume mean more time in theatre, so the cost increases accordingly.
- Breast fat transfer: priced on the same time and volume basis, with a small amount of upper pole enhancement at the lower end and larger volume changes, which often require future top-ups, at the higher end.
- Trochanteric depressions (hip dips): the most cautious of the areas we treat, often performed more slowly and sometimes with ultrasound guidance, which places it at the higher end of the scale.
If you’re weighing up your own areas of concern, it can help to look through real patient results on our before and after gallery before your consultation, so you’ve got a realistic sense of what’s achievable.
A word on top-ups
Whichever area you’re having treated, don’t forget that fat transfer isn’t always a one-and-done procedure. Fat can reduce in volume over time in some patients, and top-up sessions are a normal part of the journey with this technique, not a sign that something’s gone wrong. It’s worth factoring that into your budget from the start rather than being surprised by it later.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does fat transfer cost in Perth?
Prices start from $1,320 for a single small area, such as a lip top-up, and increase from there depending on the number of areas treated and the volume of fat required.
Why is a full face fat transfer more expensive than a lip top-up?
A full face treatment takes considerably more time and a larger volume of fat than topping up one small area, and cost is closely tied to the time and effort involved.
Does breast fat transfer cost more than facial fat transfer?
It depends on the volume you’re after. A small amount of upper pole volume can be comparable in cost to smaller facial areas, while larger volume changes, such as multiple cup sizes, cost more and often need future top-ups.
Why does fat transfer to the hip dips cost more?
The trochanteric depressions are a higher risk area that needs to be treated more slowly and carefully, and we often use ultrasound guidance there, which adds to the cost.
Will I need a top-up after fat transfer?
Many patients do. Some of the transferred fat can reduce in volume over time, so top-up sessions are a normal and expected part of fat transfer, whichever area you’ve had treated.
Why does good aftercare add to the cost of fat transfer?
Good aftercare, including 24/7 emergency support and scheduled nurse reviews, helps catch and manage complications early, which is something that’s often missing with cheaper overseas or tourist surgery options.
If you’d like a personalised quote for fat transfer based on your own goals and areas of concern, get in touch with our team at Absolute Cosmetic to book a consultation.
Disclaimer: This article is general information only and does not constitute medical advice or establish a doctor-patient relationship. Individual results and pricing vary from patient to patient depending on the areas treated, volume required and individual anatomy. All surgical procedures carry risks, including the possibility of complications and the need for revision or top-up treatments. Please consult Dr Glenn Murray or a member of our team for advice tailored to your circumstances.
