Do You Need a Referral for Fat Transfer?

A clinic offering cosmetic fat transfer may accept a direct consultation request. Other services may require a referral from a general practitioner or specialist. This administrative step does not decide whether surgery is suitable; the operating surgeon makes that decision after reviewing your goals and health.

Fat transfer involves collecting fat from one part of the body and placing it elsewhere. Consultation should cover the donor and recipient areas, anaesthesia, healing, changes in shape, scars, possible need for further procedures, and follow-up. Share previous operations and any conditions that affect healing.

Ask the clinic whether self-referral is available, who will perform the procedure, and what medical documents are needed. Bring a complete medicine and allergy list and mention smoking or vaping, prior injections, and previous surgery. Ask for written preparation and aftercare instructions. If the area has a new lump, infection, or unexplained change, obtain medical assessment before cosmetic planning.

Before surgery, seek medical advice for active infection, an unexplained mass, a non-healing wound, or sudden swelling in the proposed treatment area. Following surgery, contact the treating team urgently for severe or increasing pain, rapidly expanding swelling, heavy bleeding, fever, breathing difficulty, or unusual skin colour.

Ask: Do I need a referral for this pathway? Which areas are suitable for transfer? Who will collect and place the fat? What are the alternatives and likely scars? How should I prepare? Which recovery changes need urgent attention?