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Are Fat Transfer Results Permanent?

asked 3 years ago by Ang47 in Sacramento, CA
Latest answer by Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Question viewed 25,538 times
Tags: tear trough, eye bags

32 answers to Are Fat Transfer Results Permanent?

+3

Fat transfer results

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... more
Brent Moelleken, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.drbrent.com

+13

Fat Grafting, Fat Transfer Resorption can be a Problem with Fat Grafts, Ask your Plastic Surgeon about their experience with fat

For patients seeking permanent enhancement of soft tissue volume, the ideal material to use would obviously be something that is naturally-occurring and not rejected by the body or treated by the immune system as a foreign material. Whether the goal is to restore volume to an area such as the lips or the cheeks, or to fill in a crease or depression such as the nasolabial folds or marionette lines, the ideal material is quite clearly the material that one wishes was there in greater abundance... more
Michael Law, MD

Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

michaellawmd.com

+4

Are Fat Transfer Procedures Permanent?

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... more
Michael A. Persky, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
+4

Fat grafts have the potential to be permanent

Ang47, Fat grafting has revolutionized plastic surgery. More and more uses are popping up every day. However, there is still an element of unpredictability to fag graft survival. In most cases the grafts survive. However, there is a chance that some if it will be absorbed by the body. As newer techniques are developed such as micro fat grafting, the percentage of viable fat transfers is increasing. I feel you should not over correct, since if all the fat survives, you will look over... more
David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

+2

Is fat transfer results permanent?

Results of fat transfer varies depending on the location of injection, thickness of the soft tissue where fat in injected into, the skills of the surgeon, the way fat is harvested and prepared, and finally "luck". In my large experience with buttock augmentation with fat grafting, I have noticed that less than 10% of the fat goes away. In the face, this can be up to 30%.
S. Sean Younai, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+2

Permanent but not totally predictible!

Fat grafting  can produce remarkable results in terms of volume restoration and  skin quality improvements. The rejuvenation effects cannot be matched by any  artificial Injectables! with  more than a year in adult stem cells enhancement of my fat grafts ,i have seen  more stability in the survival of the graft and continuous benefits in skin restoration. my experience in stem cell enhanced face lifts  has been quite exciting as well!... more
Christian G. Drehsen, MD

Tampa Plastic Surgeon
+2

Fat Transfer Results Can Be Permanent

The level of survival of fat that is transferred depends on many factors, but I believe probably the most important factor is the technique and experience of the surgeon performing the fat transfer.  Fat should be harvested with minimal pressure and delicate technique to minimize trauma to the fat cells, should be centrifuged to concentrate the fat and get rid of impurities, and should be re-injected into the donor site in multiple small passes in many layers to increase the chances... more
Daniel Shapiro, MD

Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

shapiroplasticsurgery.com

+2

Fat Is Permanent but Requires Multiple Procedures

Fat is a permanent solution for facial augmentation but beware. A certain percentage of the fat will not take with just one application and often multiple procedures are necessary to get a patient their desired results.
D.J. Verret, MD

Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Fat transfers may be permanent

Permanent is a difficult word. Does that mean that even when in the grave that the fat will stay? I don't think so. In general, most doctors report some portion of the fat will remain in the desired area for years after the procedure. Some reports have the amount of fat that survives at between 20% and 60% of that which is injected. That leaves the physician in a dilemma: 1. Should the physicians OVERFILL the fat into the area to accomodate the loss of fat. My answer to that is a resounding... more
Robert M. Freund, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+2

Fat transfer results

Fat transfer can be permanent.  However, I tell patients that not all the fat will probably "take" and a repeat procedure or two may be required to get the desired result.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+2

All depends on the technique.

The classic teaching regarding fat grafting will tell you that you could loose 30% of the injected fat by 6-9 month following injection. The newer techniques of fat preservation and gentle handling would deliver much better results and published data shows consistent results for several years. This technique is largely surgeon dependent. Two important facts regarding micro fat grafting; 1-You can always over correct by injecting a little more to account for a percentage that could get... more
Hisham Seify, MD, PhD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Fat Transfer Results Are Long Lasting

Fat Cells that survive the transfer process continue to live like other fat cells. Therfore the results are long lasting. The problem is not all transferred fat survives the process. In the face for example it has been estimated that up to 60% will survive. Of most interest is that the fat that does survive behaves as if it was still in the donor site. Therefore as the surrounding native fat tends to atrophy the transferred fat will not. Over time you will notice that the area may not be as... more
Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS

Orange County Plastic Surgeon

drnichter.com

+1

Are fat transfers permanent?

Anywhere from 40%-80% of fat transferred from one part of the body to another will be reabsorbed within the first year. The fat that remains should be permanent.
Robert Heck, MD

Columbus Plastic Surgeon
+1

Is fat transfer permanent?

I think there are several camps out there when it comes to fat transfer, so it depends who you ask. I have always been a strong believer in fat transfer, and have over 15 years experience with the procedure. I believe fat volume loss is probably the #1 factor in facial aging for most people, and therefore it logically follows we should replace the fat loss. As others have said, it is very technique dependent (both on the surgeon's expertise and how he/she does the... more
Yoash R. Enzer, MD

Providence Oculoplastic Surgeon

www.doctorenzer.com

+1

Fat grafting is permanent with appropriate technique

Fat grafting is an excellent option for facial rejuvenation. Once the fat takes, it will survive just like it did before, but only in a different place, so it will behave like normal fat getting larger or smaller as you lose or gain weight. However fat grafting is very technique sensitive, and surgeons who do not pay attention to each aspect of the process may not get consitent results. Every component of the procedure from fat harvesting, to fat purification, and the actual... more
Jeffrey Hartog, MD

Orlando Plastic Surgeon
+1

How Permanent is Fat Transfer?

The technique of fat transfer has been improved with the use of delicate transfer of fat with low pressure removal with handheld syringes, centrifuge to remove excess fluid and injection with blunt tipped needles which inject tiny amounts allowing for better in growth of blood supply. With proper technique, called the "Coleman technique" fat transfer will have excellent long term survival. Use of liposuction machines and thick injections will have the opposite... more
Elizabeth S. Harris, MD

San Antonio Plastic Surgeon
+1

Fat Transfer

A percentage of the fat will not take and therefore not be permanent. The Fat that does take will be permanent. It is important to note that you may have to have an additional procedure. Best of luck! 
Michael Sullivan, MD

Columbus Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Is fat transfer permanent?

If the fat cells "survive" the move to the new location, yes, they will be permanent.  So, whatever you have at 6 months post-transfer, you are likely to keep forever.  However, the fraction of cells that survive varies widely, depending on the technique used.  Surgeons are still working on standardizing and optimizing fat transfer methods.   All the best,
Thomas Fiala, MD

Altamonte Springs Plastic Surgeon
+1

Permanence depends on location of grafting

The percentage of fat transfer that becomes permanent depends largely on the area grafted and the techniques used to graft it. It can range from 20-40% in the face to 80% or more in the buttocks (such as with the Brazilian Butt lift) if the procedure for fat grafting is the ‘micro fat graft technique’ However you will usually know within 4 months what your final results will look like. As with any procedure, discuss your goals with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to... more
Scott W. Mosser, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

Fat transfer results are long-term : most of it anyway

A portion of the grafted fat volume will fade away with time- at about the 4-5 month mark, the volume that you see will likely persist long-term. It becomes living fat that is metabolically responsive to weight gain/loss.
Scott Sattler, MD

Bellevue Plastic Surgeon
+1

Fat transfer

  The idea is that the fat that is transfer will survive therefore is permanent nevertheless no all the fat transfer survives  the amount of absorption depends on the technique used and where the fat is transfer to.
Alejandro J. Quiroz, M.D.

Mexico Plastic Surgeon
+1

Fat transfer results can be permanent

No matter the surgeon, not all of the fat that is placed in the face survives. However, the percentage that does "take" will become a permanent part of your facial soft tissues. It still will be subject to the normal aging process (just like your native facial fat) but you will always have improved volume compared with if you didn't have the procedure.
Thomas A Lamperti, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Fat transfer results are permanent

Yes, once you have healed and the fat that has been transferred has survived, the results are permanent. HOWEVER, first you need to take into consideration that not all the fat that is transferred survives.  The percentage of the fat the survives varies greatly from surgeon to surgeon and is highly technique dependent.  The next thing you need to realize is that if you loose or gain weight, the fat cells can shrink or swell up.  However, the fat distribution pattern... more
Martin Jugenburg, MD

Toronto Plastic Surgeon
+1

Research has shown that about 50% of transplanted fat survives 5 years.

Research has shown that about 50% of transplanted fat survives 5 years. Because of this it is important to make good choices about the areas filled in and how much fat is used. The wise patient will seek out a physician with lots of experience in fat transplantation.
William Coleman III, MD

Metairie Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Fat injections more permanent than fillers

  Whatever percentage of the injected that that stays alive and gets its own blood supply will stay around for years and age with you.  Obviously your face will continue to age but will always look better because of the extra volume.
Sam Naficy, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

seattleface.com

+1

Fat transfer or fat grafting or lipoaumentation

Fat transfers are permenant procedures. However the level of correction depends on the techique of fat transfer. That means some surgeons will get 50 percent correction and others 75 to 80 percent correction. After 6 weeks or so, what remains is usually permenant. Within this time frame, some of the damaged fat will be removed. Again, final results are plastic surgeon dependent. Check your surgeons pictures.
Siamak Agha, MD, PhD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Fat injections can be "permanent"

One thing to realize is that fat injections and anything in life aren't necessarily permanent and forever. Fat injection results can last many years if done right. Just like the fat that you had when you were younger, they eventually went away after a while as you aged. This same process will eventually happen to the fat that you have injected. Over many years, the fat will get metabolized as you age, but the results may last for 10 years or more. Another option of volumizing is... more
Philip Young, MD

Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drphilipyoung.com

+1

American Society of Plastic Surgeons official position

Quote from: "Current Applications and Safety of Autologous Fat Grafts: A Report of the ASPS Fat Graft Task Force" from Feb 2009 NOTE: The results therefore might vary depending on the surgeons technique and experience with the procedure. The important factors in improving viability are: 1 Harvesting technique using low suction 2 Graft preparation should include minimal exposure to air and avoidance of mechanical damage. Live Fat cells should be separated from blood, serum and... more
Ricardo Rodriguez, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

www.cosmeticsurg.net

+1

The results may vary

Many patients who have had fat injections have had results that lasted more than five years and more. This is thought to be permanent, if the fat graft “takes.” Unfortunately, not all patients achieve a good fat graft and their results can disappear within the first year.
Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist
+1

A good portion of the fat will often stay permanently

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.... more
Peyman Solieman, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Fat transfer results are permanent

Fat transfer is an extremely effective and powerful technique to help re-contour the body and face. Whenever we transfer fat from one part of the body to the other, we can expect approximately 20% of the fat melt away. Once this fat has melted away, the remaining results are all yours. You should expect to retain these final results permanently.  
B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon

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