u/Visible-Skill-5933

Fat grafting isn’t just about adding volume

Fat grafting isn’t just about adding volume

One of the biggest misconceptions we hear about facial fat grafting is that it's simply a procedure to "make the face fuller."

In reality, successful fat grafting is more about restoring balance than adding volume.
As we age, facial fat doesn't disappear evenly. Some areas lose volume while others remain relatively unchanged, which can make the face look tired or less harmonious. Instead of filling every hollow area, it's important to evaluate the face as a whole and decide where subtle volume restoration can improve overall proportions.

Another point you should pay close attention to is the quality of the transplanted fat. Fat is living tissue, so careful harvesting, processing, and placement all influence how naturally it settles over time. Placing small amounts of fat in multiple layers is more effective rather than overfilling a single area, as this generally helps create softer, more natural-looking contours.

The before-and-after photos above illustrate this philosophy. The patients’ goal was to improve facial harmony. Notice how the transitions between different facial areas appear smoother, while the overall facial features still look like the same person.

We often tell our patients that good fat grafting shouldn't be the first thing people notice. Instead, people may simply think you look healthier, more rested, or refreshed without immediately realizing why.

For those who have had facial fat grafting, what was your biggest concern before surgery? Longevity? Looking overfilled? Recovery? We'd love to hear your experiences and answer any questions.

u/Visible-Skill-5933 — 5 days ago

What can facial liposuction change?

At T.O.P Plastic Surgery, we often meet patients who are not looking for a completely different face, but want to improve lower-face heaviness, soft jawline definition, or a double chin.

For facial liposuction, we focus less on simply removing as much fat as possible and more on designing a balanced facial line. The facial liposuction performed at our clinic uses a technique that gently emulsifies only the fat tissue before extraction, rather than forcefully suctioning it out. This approach is designed to minimize unnecessary trauma to surrounding tissues, allowing for more precise contouring of areas such as the jowls, buccal fat region, and double chin.

Because every face has a different bone structure and fat distribution, the surgical plan is customized to create a balanced facial line instead of simply making the face look thinner. When appropriate, the procedure can also be combined with lifting treatments to improve skin firmness or with autologous fat grafting to restore volume in areas that appear hollow after contouring.

In this before-and-after case, the main change appears around the lower face. The face looks less rounded, the jawline is more visible, and the transition from the cheeks to the chin looks smoother. At the same time, the result does not look overly hollow, which is important because excessive fat removal can sometimes make the face look tired or unnatural.

For us, facial liposuction is not just about making the face smaller. It is about refining the facial line while keeping enough natural volume for balance. Do you have any questions about facial liposuction? Please leave a comment below, we’d be happy to help you.

u/Visible-Skill-5933 — 10 days ago

Body Liposuction: Which Areas Does It Actually Include?

Today, we’d like to introduce T.O.P’s body liposuction program for those who are considering body contouring in Korea.

At T.O.P Plastic Surgery, our body liposuction procedures are performed by doctors with extensive experience in fat grafting and body contouring. Because liposuction is not only about removing fat, but also about designing a balanced and natural-looking body line, we focus on creating results that fit each patient’s body type and proportions.

One of the key features of our liposuction program is the use of a high-vacuum suction system, which allows strong and effective fat removal. We also aim to minimize scarring by using small incisions whenever possible. For post-operative care, we provide Capsulitis aftercare to help support the recovery process after surgery.

T.O.P Plastic Surgery offers liposuction for several body areas, including:

  1. Arm liposuction

  2. Bra line / upper back liposuction

  3. Side waist and back waist liposuction, also known as bikini line contouring

  4. Abdomen liposuction

  5. Thigh liposuction

Thigh liposuction Before/After

For patients who are interested in combining liposuction with other procedures, we also offer combination surgeries using the fat removed during liposuction. Possible combination procedures include:

  1. Facial fat grafting

  2. Breast fat grafting

  3. Hand fat grafting

  4. Pelvic / hip fat grafting

  5. Fat stem cell IV treatment or skin booster treatments

This can be a good option for patients who want to reduce unwanted fat from certain areas while using their own fat for natural volume enhancement in other areas. Of course, the best treatment plan depends on each person’s fat distribution, skin elasticity, body type, and aesthetic goals. Rather than removing as much fat as possible, we believe that customized design and safe planning are the most important parts of liposuction.

If you have any questions about body liposuction in Korea, recovery, possible combination procedures, or whether you might be a good candidate, feel free to ask in the comments or send us a message!

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u/Visible-Skill-5933 — 23 days ago

Arm Liposuction B&A Case

Hi everyone, this is T.O.P Plastic Surgery.

As summer is getting closer, we’ve been receiving more questions about body liposuction, especially from patients who want to feel more comfortable wearing short sleeves or sleeveless tops.

Today, we wanted to talk a little about arm liposuction and share one of our actual before & after cases.

Before surgery

Before surgery

As you can see in the photos, this patient is not overweight, but still tend to carry stubborn fat around the upper arms. This can make the arms look heavier or less defined compared to the rest of the body.

In cases where the arm line does not change much even with regular exercise or weight management, arm liposuction may be considered as one possible option.

After Surgery

After Surgery

However, arm liposuction is not simply about removing as much fat as possible. Over-removal can sometimes make the result look unnatural or affect the smoothness of the arm line. That is why it is important to design the procedure based on each patient’s body type, fat distribution, skin elasticity, and overall proportions.

At T.O.P Plastic Surgery, we focus on creating a slimmer but natural-looking arm line that fits each patient’s individual body shape.

If you have any questions about arm liposuction, recovery, compression garments, swelling, or whether this procedure might be suitable for your case, feel free to ask in the comments. We’ll do our best to answer based on our clinical experience.

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u/Visible-Skill-5933 — 1 month ago

FAQ: Fat graft survival rate?

Hello, this is Dr. Lee from T.O.P Plastic Surgery in Seoul.

Fat grafting is one of the procedures people ask about most often, especially when it comes to facial volume loss, under-eye hollowness, forehead volume, nasolabial folds, or overall facial balance. One of the biggest questions is always: “How much of the fat actually survives?”

The honest answer is that fat survival rate varies from person to person. Fat grafting uses your own fat, usually taken from areas like the thigh, abdomen, or flank, and transferred to the face. Once the fat is injected, not all of it will survive. Some of the transferred fat naturally gets absorbed by the body during the healing process.

In general, the fat that successfully survives after the initial healing period can remain long-term. However, because not all injected fat survives, the final result is not immediate. This is why we usually tell patients not to judge the result too early. Swelling, absorption, and tissue settling all happen gradually.

Q: When can I see the final result?

Most patients see a general idea of the result within the first few weeks, but the final outcome usually takes a few months to settle. In many cases, we evaluate the more stable result around 3 to 6 months after surgery.

Q: Why does fat survival vary so much?

There are several factors. The patient’s body condition, blood circulation, the area being grafted, the quality of the harvested fat, how the fat is processed, and injection technique can all affect the result. Lifestyle after surgery can also matter. Smoking, excessive drinking, and poor aftercare may negatively affect healing and fat survival.

Q: Does more injected fat mean a better result?

Not necessarily. This is one of the most common misunderstandings. Injecting too much fat at once does not guarantee better survival. In fact, overfilling can increase the risk of unevenness, lumpiness, or an unnatural-looking result. The goal should be balanced volume restoration, not simply adding as much fat as possible.

Q: Will I need a second fat grafting session?

Some patients are satisfied with one session, while others may want a second session after the first result has settled. This is not always because the first surgery “failed.” It can simply be because some fat absorption is expected, or because the patient wants more volume after seeing the healed result.

For international patients, this is something to consider before surgery, since coming back for a second session may not be easy.

Q: Is facial fat grafting permanent?

The fat that survives can be long-lasting, but the face will still continue to age naturally. Weight changes, skin elasticity, bone structure, and aging can all affect the face over time. So it is better to think of fat grafting as long-term volume restoration rather than something that completely stops aging.

Q: Is fat grafting safer than filler?

Fat grafting uses your own tissue, which is one reason many patients prefer it. It can look very natural when done well. However, it is still a medical procedure and should not be treated as risk-free. Irregularity, overcorrection, undercorrection, swelling, and asymmetry can happen, especially if too much fat is injected or if the technique is not precise.

Fillers and fat grafting each have their own pros and cons. Fillers are simpler and more immediate, while fat grafting may be better for patients who want a longer-term and more natural volume restoration. The right choice depends on the area, the amount of volume needed, and the patient’s anatomy.

Q: What areas usually do well with fat grafting?

Common areas include the forehead, temples, cheeks, nasolabial folds, chin area, and sometimes the under-eyes. However, the under-eye area is very delicate because the skin is thin, so technique and proper patient selection are especially important.

Overall, fat grafting can be a very useful procedure, but expectations matter a lot. The result depends not only on how much fat is injected, but also on how much survives, how naturally it is placed, and how the face heals over time.

If you have questions about fat grafting, fat survival rate, or whether fat grafting or filler may be more suitable for certain concerns, feel free to ask in the comments.

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u/Visible-Skill-5933 — 1 month ago

Ultrasound-assisted facial liposuction vs traditional liposuction

Hello everyone, this is Dr. Lee from T.O.P PS.

Since I’ve lately seen more people asking about ultrasound-assisted liposuction for the face, I just wanted to quickly share a simple explanation of how it’s different from traditional facial liposuction.

Traditional liposuction works by injecting tumescent fluid into the fat layer and then physically suctioning out the fat. It can work well when done properly, but because the fat is being removed more mechanically, there can be more swelling, bruising, bleeding, or unevenness depending on the area and technique.

With ultrasound-assisted liposuction, the idea is a bit different. Instead of forcefully removing the fat, ultrasound energy is used first to break down or loosen the fat cells, so they can be suctioned out more smoothly. This can help reduce some of the downsides of traditional liposuction, especially in delicate areas like the face.

For facial liposuction, smaller and safer tips are usually used because the tissue is thinner and more sensitive. Areas like the lower face and double chin may use slightly different tips, while body liposuction uses larger ones. The ultrasound tip itself is not meant to “stab” the tissue. It releases ultrasound energy from the end to help separate and soften the fat.

One reason some surgeons prefer this method is that it may lead to less swelling, less bleeding, and less pain compared to more aggressive traditional suction. It can also be useful for areas where fat is harder to remove evenly, such as around the nasolabial area or cheek fat.

That said, this doesn’t mean traditional liposuction is automatically bad. Good results still depend heavily on the surgeon’s technique, experience, and judgment. The equipment can help, but it doesn’t replace surgical skill.

For people who are sensitive to pain, worried about bruising and swelling, or considering facial areas where smooth contouring matters a lot, ultrasound-assisted liposuction may be worth asking about during consultation.

The main takeaway for me is that facial liposuction shouldn’t just be about removing as much fat as possible. Since the face has thin tissue and visible contours, the goal should be controlled fat reduction with a smooth and natural-looking line.

If anyone has questions about ultrasound-assisted liposuction or facial fat removal in general, feel free to ask in the comments. I’ll try to answer based on my knowledge and what we commonly see in consultations.

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u/Visible-Skill-5933 — 2 months ago

what's trendy in Korea: less bone surgery, more fat contouring

One interesting shift we, as a plastic surgery clinic in Seoul, noticed in Korean ps scene recently is that more patients are moving away from aggressive bone contouring procedures and becoming more interested in “fat control” instead.

A few years ago, facial contouring surgery was heavily focused on reducing bone structure to create a smaller face shape. These days, many patients still want a slimmer and cleaner facial line, but they’re looking for approaches that feel softer, more natural, and involve less downtime.
Because of that, procedures like facial liposuction, buccal fat adjustment, thread lifting, jaw Botox and facial fat grafting have become much more popular, especially among younger patients.

A lot of people are realizing that facial heaviness isn’t always caused by bone structure alone. In some cases, volume distribution, skin elasticity, and lower-face fat can affect the overall impression even more.

Another big reason is recovery. Bone surgeries are still very effective in the right cases, but they also come with longer swelling periods and more significant downtime. Many patients today prefer procedures that allow them to return to daily life more quickly while still achieving noticeable refinement.

Of course, this doesn’t mean bone contouring is “outdated” or unnecessary. There are definitely cases where skeletal structure plays a major role. But compared to before, we’re seeing more people prioritize balance, contour, and softness over dramatic reduction.

Curious if people outside Korea are noticing a similar trend where they live too :)

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u/Visible-Skill-5933 — 2 months ago

Hi everyone,

We are T.O.P Plastic Surgery, located in Gangnam, Seoul.

We've been observing this community for a while and noticed so many of you're interested in traveling to Korea with great expectations, but also with many valid concerns about saftey, techniques, and finding the right clinics.

So we are here to provide professional, transparent information and help you understand the nuances of plastic procedures such as facial fat grafting, liposuction, and SVF(Stem Cell) treatments. Also, we're here to be a resource, not just a clinic. If you have any technical questions about the procedures mentioned above or just general advice on planning your surgery trip to Seoul, we'd be happy to help 😄

Do you have any questions about fat-based surgeries or the current trends in Seoul? Ask us anything below! Thank you.

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u/Visible-Skill-5933 — 2 months ago