We have performed experiments on the survival of Coleman aspirated fat grafts. We have published these stueies in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and presented them at ASAPS and ASPS meetings. We believe the initial viability to be around 20-25%. Final survival is even lower.

The issue is how viability is assessed. If you look at cells grossly, the viability is high. If however you use trypan blue exclusion techniques or metabolic studies, the number of live cells from fat injection is anywhere from 3% alive to 25% alive. That is the starting number. It goes down from there as cells either survive or do not survive.

Clinically, patients complain that fat grafting does not last, but that usually some does remain. this is consistent with our findings experimentally.

Hi Ang,

When performed using proper techniques of harvesting fat, treating the fat, and then injecting the fat, the fat that survives is permanent living fat.  The techniques of Coleman, Lam, and Glasgold have been proven to stand the test of time.  The percentage of fat transferred that survives varies from about 40 to 60% with these techniques.

I have personally seen the fat transfers in my patients to be permanent.  The fat that is there after 6 months will be with them for the rest of their lives.  The key is choosing your fat transfer surgeon most carefully.

Good luck and be well.

Dr. P

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Hi Ang47,

You ask a great question. How much of the injected fat remains permanently depends on the area into which it is grafted and how it is handled during the procedure.

In the past much of the fat injected disappeared with time, however, newer micro fat injection techniques allow for more consistent results that last significantly longer.

You should know that when fat is injected in areas with less movement, such as under the eyes, we typically find 50 -70% of the fat remains long term. This may perhaps sound less than ideal but we find that even with half the fat remaining the result is fantastic in correcting under eye depression and hollowing.

In other areas, such as the nasolabial folds (laugh lines) and in the lips we find that fat does not last as well so you should be aware of that. Overcorrection in the nasolabial fold area may be ok but otherwise other areas tend not to need it.

I hope this helps answer your questions. Feel free to call or email us if you have any other questions.