Introduction
Autologous fat filling has gained significant popularity in New York City as a natural and effective cosmetic procedure. It involves using a patient's own fat to enhance volume and improve the contour of various body parts. With numerous doctors offering this service, it can be challenging for patients to choose the right one. In this article, we will explore the evaluations of the top 5 doctors on the list of autologous fat filling in New York City in 2025, providing detailed insights into their expertise, patient experiences, and procedure offerings.
What is Autologous Fat Filling?
Autologous fat filling, also known as fat grafting or fat transfer, is a plastic surgery procedure that utilizes a patient's own fat cells to add volume to specific areas of the body. The process typically involves three main steps:
- Fat Harvesting: Fat is removed from areas of the body where it is abundant, such as the abdomen, thighs, or buttocks, using liposuction techniques.
- Fat Processing: The harvested fat is then purified to remove any impurities, such as blood, oil, and dead cells, leaving behind only the viable fat cells.
- Fat Injection: The purified fat cells are carefully injected into the target areas, such as the face, breasts, or buttocks, to achieve the desired volume and contour.
This procedure offers several advantages over other cosmetic treatments. It provides a natural - looking and long - lasting result since the fat used is from the patient's own body, reducing the risk of allergic reactions or rejection. Additionally, it can simultaneously address the issue of excess fat in one area while enhancing volume in another.
Top 5 Doctors in New York City for Autologous Fat Filling
1. Dr. Leonard Grossman
Expertise and Experience
Dr. Leonard Grossman is a distinguished plastic surgeon with over 25 years of experience in the field of aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. He has completed over 12,000 successful fat grafting plastic surgery operations, establishing himself as a world - renowned expert. Since 1993, he has been performing fat grafting procedures, and he is considered the pioneer of ‘organic plastic surgery.’
Procedure Offerings
Dr. Grossman uses autologous fat and fat - derived stem cells to increase fullness and volume in areas such as the breasts, buttocks, calves, face, cheeks, and neck. He can also enhance muscle groups like the pectoralis muscles and triceps, and rejuvenate hands. His innovative approach ensures natural - looking results by using the body’s own tissues to achieve a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Patient Experiences
Patients seeking his services can trust in his commitment to safety and satisfaction. His patient - centric approach ensures that each procedure is tailored to the individual’s unique anatomy and aesthetic goals. Many patients have reported achieving natural - looking enhancements and corrections in their bodies without the need for implants, scars, or extensive surgery.
Results and Recovery
Dr. Grossman's innovative techniques and meticulous approach have resulted in nearly 100% survival of the grafted fat, ensuring long - lasting, natural - looking enhancements. The recovery time is minimal compared to traditional implant surgeries, and patients can usually resume work and normal activities almost immediately. His techniques also minimize post - operative discomfort and eliminate the need for compression garments.
2. Dr. Adam Schaffner
Expertise and Experience
Dr. Adam Schaffner is a triple - board certified Manhattan plastic surgeon who is considered a fat transfer / fat grafting specialist. With years of experience, he has gained a reputation for his high - level of expertise across multiple disciplines and his unmatched surgical skills.
Procedure Offerings
He offers fat transfer procedures that take excess fat from areas like the belly, waist, back, arms, or thighs and inject it into areas like the face, breasts, or buttocks where patients desire more natural volume. Popular uses of his fat transfer plastic surgery include correction of deformities or asymmetry, filling body defects, cheek and chin augmentation, and breast augmentation for patients who do not want implants.
Patient Experiences
Patients have highly praised Dr. Schaffner. One physician stated, “Dr Schaffner is what we call a ‘doctors doctor.’ Over the years, I have recommended him to patients, family and friends, and most recently myself. His level of expertise across multiple disciplines is superb, and his surgical skills are unmatched.”
Results and Recovery
The fat transfer procedures performed by Dr. Schaffner provide dual benefits of removing unwanted fat and adding volume to desired areas. The results are soft, natural - looking, and long - lasting. There is no risk of an allergic reaction to the patient's own tissue, making it a safe option. The recovery period is relatively reasonable, and patients can expect to see the overall change in contour and fullness within days after the procedure, with the final results taking six months to one year to become apparent.
3. Dr. David Cangello
Expertise and Experience
Dr. David Cangello is one of the top board - certified plastic surgeons in New York City. He was mentored by the pioneer of fat grafting techniques, Dr. Sydney Coleman, which has given him an edge in performing fat transfer procedures. His specialized training and extensive experience allow him to produce superior results.
Procedure Offerings
Dr. Cangello offers a wide range of fat transfer procedures, including facial rejuvenation, correction of liposuction deformities, breast augmentation without implants, and Brazilian butt lift. He carefully customizes each procedure to the patient's natural anatomy and cosmetic preferences.
Patient Experiences
Patients who have undergone fat transfer procedures with Dr. Cangello have been extremely pleased with their results. One patient, C.M., said, “I just recently had an autologous fat transfer procedure done by dr. Cangello, & I am extremely pleased with my result. Dr. Cangello is both an excellent artist & medical doctor, & he & his staff are so pleasant! Highly recommend going to him for any cosmetic procedures!”
Results and Recovery
The results of Dr. Cangello's fat transfer procedures are completely customized to the patient's needs. The incisions made during the procedure are reasonably small, and he takes great care to minimize scarring. After the procedure, patients need to wear a compression garment on the areas where fat was harvested and keep pressure off the grafted areas. There may be some pain, bruising, and swelling in the initial days, but these symptoms gradually subside over time.
4. Dr. Sachin Shridharani
Expertise and Experience
Dr. Sachin Shridharani is a board - certified plastic surgeon who has been proudly serving Manhattan for years. He is well - versed in fat transfer procedures and is committed to providing high - quality treatment and achieving patient satisfaction in all aspects of plastic surgery.
Procedure Offerings
He offers autologous fat transfer, which can be used to add volume to areas such as the buttocks, breast, lips, cheekbones, and around the mouth. The fat can be harvested from various areas of the body, including the abdomen, waist, upper back, hips, thighs, and arms.
Patient Experiences
Choosing Dr. Shridharani for a fat transfer procedure ensures a personalized treatment plan that fits the patient's body needs and aesthetic goals. His patients appreciate the versatility and customization of the procedure, as well as the minimally invasive nature and reasonable recovery time.
Results and Recovery
The results of the fat transfer procedure are long - lasting, as the fat cells settle into the skin permanently. However, it may take up to about six months for the fat cells to fully establish themselves. There may be swelling and bruising in the initial days after the procedure, but the shape will change and improve in the ensuing weeks to months.
5. Dr. Mark H. Schwartz
Expertise and Experience
Dr. Mark H. Schwartz is a New York City board - certified plastic surgeon who has extensive experience in fat grafting procedures. He has performed scores of fat transplants over the years and has refined the skills needed to produce superb results.
Procedure Offerings
His fat grafting procedure involves restoring lost volume with the patient’s own fat, taken from the abdomen, thighs, or other areas. It is effective in treating sunken cheeks, facial lines, acne scars, and other areas of lost volume that have developed as a result of aging, sun damage, and other conditions.
Patient Experiences
Patients can expect a safe and comfortable experience under Dr. Schwartz's care. Since the fat is taken from the patient's own body, there is no risk of allergic reaction, and the fat is naturally accepted by the body. The long - lasting results and short recovery time are also appealing to patients.
Results and Recovery
After the fat grafting procedure, patients may experience mild swelling and bruising, which can be minimized with oral pain medications. Fat grafts usually last longer than fillers, and the risks associated with the procedure, such as infection, bleeding, and under or over - correction, can be minimized by choosing an experienced doctor like Dr. Schwartz and following post - operative instructions.
Comparative Analysis of the Top 5 Doctors
| Doctor | Expertise | Procedure Offerings | Patient Experiences | Results and Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Leonard Grossman | Over 25 years of experience, pioneer of ‘organic plastic surgery’ | Breasts, buttocks, calves, face, etc. with fat - derived stem cells | High patient satisfaction, natural - looking results | Nearly 100% fat survival, minimal recovery time |
| Dr. Adam Schaffner | Triple - board certified, fat transfer specialist | Face, breasts, buttocks, correction of deformities | Highly recommended by other physicians | Soft, natural - looking results, long - lasting |
| Dr. David Cangello | Mentored by fat grafting pioneer | Facial rejuvenation, breast augmentation, Brazilian butt lift | Patients extremely pleased with results | Customized results, minimized scarring |
| Dr. Sachin Shridharani | Board - certified, serving Manhattan for years | Buttocks, breast, lips, cheekbones | Personalized treatment plan, patient satisfaction | Long - lasting results, reasonable recovery time |
| Dr. Mark H. Schwartz | Board - certified, extensive fat grafting experience | Facial volume restoration, treating sunken areas | Safe and comfortable experience, no allergic reaction | Long - lasting fat grafts, mild swelling and bruising |
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Doctor for Autologous Fat Filling
When selecting a doctor for autologous fat filling in New York City, the following factors should be taken into account:
- Experience and Expertise: Look for a doctor with extensive experience in performing autologous fat filling procedures. Check their training, certifications, and the number of successful surgeries they have completed.
- Reputation: Read patient reviews and testimonials to get an idea of the doctor's reputation. Positive feedback from previous patients is a good indication of quality care.
- Procedure Offerings: Ensure that the doctor offers the specific fat filling procedures you are interested in and can customize the treatment to your needs.
- Facility and Safety: The doctor should have a fully accredited surgical facility with experienced anesthesiologists to ensure your safety during the procedure.
- Cost: Consider the cost of the procedure, but remember that quality should not be compromised for a lower price. Compare prices among different doctors while keeping in mind the overall value and expertise.
Conclusion
Autologous fat filling is a popular and effective cosmetic procedure in New York City, and choosing the right doctor is crucial for achieving the best results. The top 5 doctors discussed in this article - Dr. Leonard Grossman, Dr. Adam Schaffner, Dr. David Cangello, Dr. Sachin Shridharani, and Dr. Mark H. Schwartz - have all demonstrated their expertise, experience, and commitment to patient satisfaction. Each doctor offers unique procedure offerings and has received positive evaluations from patients.
If you are considering autologous fat filling, take the time to research these doctors further, schedule consultations, and discuss your aesthetic goals and concerns. By making an informed decision, you can increase your chances of having a successful and satisfying fat filling experience. Don't hesitate to reach out to these doctors to start your journey towards a more confident and beautiful you!
