I actually went through this decision-making process not too long ago, so I hope my experience can help!
When I first started considering fat grafting, I was torn. I knew I wanted subtle volume enhancement—especially in my face (cheeks and under-eyes), and eventually, a natural-looking breast augmentation. But I wasn’t sure whether implants or filler or fat grafting would be best. That’s when I found TJ Plastic Surgery in Seoul and had a consultation with Dr. Tack-Jin Chang (his profile here).
From the beginning, Dr. Chang took a very thoughtful, no-pressure approach. He walked me through both the benefits and risks of fat grafting, and helped me figure out what would work best for me, not just what’s popular.
The Benefits I Learned About (and Experienced!)
- Natural Look & Feel: Since fat comes from your own body, it looks and feels much more natural than fillers or implants. My facial results are super subtle—just enough to look refreshed, not “done.”
- Dual Benefit (Liposuction + Augmentation): They harvest fat through liposuction (usually from thighs or abdomen), so you’re essentially reshaping two areas at once. Win-win!
- Long-Lasting Results (With Some Variation): A portion of the transferred fat reabsorbs, but what survives stays for the long term. Dr. Chang used a special purification technique to improve fat survival, and I could really tell the difference after a few months.
- Minimal Scarring: No big incisions—just tiny entry points for cannulas. Recovery was surprisingly fast.
Risks (That You Should Know About, But Not Fear!)
- Fat Absorption: As I mentioned, some of the transferred fat may not survive. That’s normal, and Dr. Chang was honest about it. He even said some patients might benefit from a second session if they want more volume.
- Lumps or Irregularities: If the fat isn’t injected evenly, there’s a small risk of bumps. But with an experienced surgeon like Dr. Chang, this is rare.
- Infection or Cysts (Very Rare): Any procedure carries a risk of infection, but TJ’s surgical team was incredibly sterile and careful. They also provided me with detailed aftercare instructions to avoid complications.
- Not for Major Volume Changes: Fat grafting is great for natural volume, but if you want a dramatic size increase (especially for breasts), implants might be more effective.
What made the biggest difference for me was how meticulous and safety-focused Dr. Chang was. He used advanced centrifugation and micro-droplet techniques to improve fat survival and avoid clumping. Plus, TJ Plastic Surgery has ICU-grade safety systems and English-speaking staff who made the whole experience smooth and stress-free.
Final Thoughts:
If you’re looking for subtle, natural-looking enhancement, fat grafting can be an amazing option—especially when done by an experienced surgeon. And if you’re considering doing it in Korea, TJ Plastic Surgery and Dr. Tack-Jin Chang are absolutely worth looking into. They’re not just skilled—they truly care about outcome, safety, and long-term satisfaction.