Are fat transfer results 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... more

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... more

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... more

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... more

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... more

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.

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... more

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... more

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.

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... more