TikTok star converts liposuction fat into homemade soap

Connecticut resident Robert Tolppi, 23, has gained internet fame by turning the fat removed during his liposuction into homemade soap.

Tolppi, who documented his process on TikTok, requested to keep the fat instead of allowing it to be disposed of as medical waste. “They were going to throw it away as medical waste but I asked if I could keep it,” Tolppi explained in a video.

He used approximately 400 cubic centimetres of fat and a soap-making kit, which he had purchased with a long-held desire to create his own soap.

The process involved heating the fat and mixing it with lye—a strong caustic substance used in soap making.

Tolppi advised caution when handling lye: “Make sure you do your research before with lye—I’m not a professional at all, but you definitely want to keep the windows open and dilute it outside.”

To add fragrance, Tolppi incorporated vanilla oil and rose petals before pouring the mixture into a mould.

The finished soap, which he likened to a long stick of butter, was tested for lathering. “It’s working,” he said with enthusiasm. “My hands feel so clean and they smell amazing.”

The project has drawn comparisons to the character Tyler Durden from the film Fight Club, who also uses human fat to make soap.

Tolppi acknowledged the similarity but clarified his intention: “Though I wasn’t drawing specifically on that movie, I found the idea of human fat soap compelling, taking the zero-waste movement and our society’s push to recycle to the next level.”

Reactions to Tolppi’s creation have been mixed. Some viewers found the concept amusing, while others expressed disgust. “It’s interesting how varied the reactions to it are,” Tolppi remarked. He also noted that some sceptics questioned the authenticity of the video, given his history of satirical content.

“Though many people find it disgusting, others appreciate the novelty,” he said.

Tolppi’s viral video has sparked a lively debate, with comments ranging from “Fight Club vibes” to “This is why I don’t wash my hands at others’ houses.”