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Darrick E. Antell, MD answers: Do cheek fat injections dissolve if I lose weight?

I am looking to get my cheeks done, and I noticed that the fat injections are a lot cheaper than implants. I was told they last up to a year. If I get the injections and I lost weight at any time, would my body dissolve that fat? My normal facial structure is long and shallow-faced.


Darrick E. Antell, MD
11 months ago
By Darrick E. Antell, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

 

Fat injections are a wonderful tool for plastic surgeons and the patient can't be allergic to it. 

However, even with the best candidate, typically only about 1/3 of the injected fat will stay after about 2 weeks.  The remainder has to establish a new blood supply and will then get larger and smaller as your weight changes.  It is the same as fat anywhere else in your body would.

Remember that fat injections, or fat removal (liposuction) are to improve your contours and proportions.  So while you still have the ability to gain and lose weight, your proportions will always be better.
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More answers to “Do cheek fat injections dissolve if I lose weight?”

A: The fat will continue to behave just as it did before the transfer.

David Shafer, MD
11 months ago
By David Shafer, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Need to Know, The fat will continue to behave just as it did before the fat transfer. So, if you gain or loose weight, the fat with grow or shrink, respectively. It is important that you have the fat transfer when you are at your realistic weight. I hope this is helpful.

Web reference: http://www.RealCosmeticSurgery.com
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A: The fat may not "take"

Ronald Shelton, MD
11 months ago
By Ronald Shelton, MD - Manhattan Dermatologic surgeon

Fat injections may not “take” as they are a graft. Some cells may not live in the new environment of the cheek. Many patients have had long term results of living fat cells for many years, not just one year with fat injections. I have not noted in my patients that this fat decreases with weight loss as much as the other body parts when weight loss is considerable.

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A: Possibly

Steven Wallach, MD
11 months ago
By Steven Wallach, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Fat injections to the face can be a permanent filler. However there is some reabsorption, and I tell patients that they may require more than 1 or even 2 treatments. Yes, if you lose weight the fat injections may thin out.  It should react like fat in other parts of the body. The cells will stay but they probably will deflate a bit.

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