Approx. 50% of Fat Survives when Fat Grafting but What's the Time Frame for This to Happen?

asked 1 year ago by 7000xo in las vegas
Latest answer by Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD
Question viewed 206 times
Tags: back, flanks, permanent

The reason I'd like to know is because I had fat grafted to an indent after lipo to my flanks/lower back and I hate what I see. The fat grafted was not placed to the indent instead right above and I'd like to know if that fat "dies" within a certain period of time? Or if it remains 50% or less in that area? Does it disappear eventually? Thanks.

5 answers to Approx. 50% of Fat Survives when Fat Grafting but What's the Time Frame for This to Happen?

Injected Fat Result Will Take At Least 3 Months To See

The survival of fat grafts after injection can be quite variable in terms of ultimate survival and retention. However, the process to get to the final result seems to be fairly consistent. My observation has been that what you see at about three months after the procedure is what will be retained on a long-term basis. This will obviously depend on how much fat was injected. Smaller amounts will show sooner how much fat will stay versus larger volume fat grafts will take longer to see the... more

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD
Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

Fate of Grafted (transferred) Fat

The survival of fat grafts and the ability to confirm fat survival depends on multiple factors: - The suction (Vacuum) applied to avulse and remove the fat from the donor site, if excessive, can kill the fat cells - deprived from its blood supply, the fat undergoes trauma outside the body and chilling it can reduce its metabolism and nned for oxygen thereby prolonging its survival outside the body - gentle centrifuging of the fat can remove blood and dead cells allowing the surgeon to... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Misplaced Fat Transfer

Hi Vegas, The fat that is present 5 to 6 months after fat transfer should be your permanent living fat. At that time you should consult with a fat transfer physician with better eye sight than you first. Good luck and be well. Dr. P

Michael A. Persky, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Fat grafting survival is established several months after surgery

Its reasonable to assume that the volume that remains 4-5 months after fat grafting surgery will be stable over time. In regions that are in constant motion (around the mouth, for example)- the survival of fat grafts is less predictable. Touch-up injections are sometimes needed to establish good symmetry and an acceptable result.

Scott Sattler, MD
Bellevue Plastic Surgeon

Fat injections as a filler

Fat injections are grafts of your own fat tissue. There are many variables that make it an inconsistent treatment with some procedures in some patients doing better than others. Not all the fat lives and with subsequent treatments you add to those cells that are living in their new environment.

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist

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