Are Fat Transfer Results Permanent?

Fat transfer is a wonderful way to naturally and beautifully restore lost facial volume. Although there are numerous options to revolumize, fat transfer has some major advantages: it is the longest lasting option to restore volume in the face, functioning essentially as native facial fat once it is transferred; it is your own fat being used, thus is 100% biocompatible; there is an abundant amount available on almost everybody, so there are no limitations to getting the volume you need and achieving full correction; fat is one of our best sources for stem cells, called adipocyte derived stem cells, which yield additional benefits due to the growth factors contained and their effects collateral tissue growth that extends well beyond just the zone of transferred fat, helping contribute to a global improvement in the facial aesthetic.
An extensive amount of planning goes into the fat transfer process, with a comprehensive look at the balance and proportion of the face being blended with the aging changes and anatomy of each individual patient.
The procedure itself is performed utilizing local anesthesia with or without sedation. Fat can be acquired from numerous sites, but choosing a site is usually best planned to help contour the body in the process, thus the abdomen, thighs, and waist are commonly utilized. 
After the fat is acquired, it is processed and prepared into micro- and/or nanofat, which have different properties and are chosen based on the desired areas to be treated. Transfer is then performed with blunt tipped cannulas, as opposed to needles. Different providers will likely have different processing protocols, but I prefer to maximize the stem cell content of my fat, further magnifying it’s benefit. This is a time-consuming and intricate process, thus some people take shortcuts, but the long-term benefits are well worth the extra effort in the preparation process. I also utilize other regenerative medicine modalities, such as platelet rich plasma, to improve the outcome from the fat transfer and expedite the recovery time.
Recovery from fat transfer includes swelling and some firmness that is subtle and can last several weeks to months after the procedure. The transferred fat establishes a blood supply in its new location, a very favorable process which contributes to that inflammation and swelling. 
It is key that the physician performing the fat transfer is well-versed in panfacial volumization, allowing an equal balance and harmony to be created and maintained in the face. Fat should not just be utilized in large volumes in a few spots, but instead utilized in strategic volumes over multiple areas of the aging face.
Overall, fat transfer provides an incredible option to restore volume that is very natural, long lasting and has the added benefit of a healthy dose of stem cells to rejuvenate aging tissues. 
To ensure you are receiving the highest level of care, seek out a modernly trained, new-school dermatologic surgeon, oculoplastic surgeon, facial plastic surgeon or plastic surgeon who is board certified and fellowship trained in one of these “core four” cosmetic specialties. Membership in organizations like the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery help to identify a highly trained surgeon.
Cameron Chesnut
#realself500 Physician

A portion of the fat is permanent. It depends where it is injected. What plane it is injected (below or above the muscle) and the harvesting technique. 
The study results vary from 30-80% take rate. In the face the results are probably more like about 40% of the fat survives forever. This is because we transfer fat that at its original site has a lot of nice blood supply is warm and is comfortable. Then we transfer it to a new site. Only the best and strongest cells are able to connect into the new grid of blood cells. 
This limits us because then we need to "over inject" a bit to get the results we want. There will be a couple weeks of swelling until the true results are seen.
Hope this helps.
DrC

Thank you for your question.  As you can imagine, fat grafting and fat transfer procedures have grown tremendously in popularity over the years.  A very common question amongst patients who are interested in having a fat transfer performed is 'will my results last?'  I believe that fat transfer results have the potential to be permanent when they are performed correctly and in the hands of experienced surgeons.  With that said, I always warn patients that not all of the fat re-introduced at the time of a fat transfer will stay, that they can expect only up to 50-60% of the fat to last, and that the fat that remains after the first 3-6 months should be permanent.  Furthermore, patients must understand and appreciate that fat re-absorption and re-distribution happens on a daily basis. Fat grafting can be done almost anywhere on the body, but the most common areas treated are the buttocks, lateral hip depressions, and the face.