Fat Transfer: Q&A

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How Can you Tell that Fat has Actually Survived the Transfer? Biopsies?

I am trying to fix some bad fat atrophy on my face and am looking into fat transfer. After reading lots of reports I can't find anything that shows any proof of fat survival. Have there been biopsies or other tests to show the transferred fat survives after transplantation? Or is microsurgery a better option?

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10 Doctor Answers | Asked by tiamaria in BB3

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Proof of fat survival

There is no doubt that grafted fat survives long-term. This has been proven with imaging studies as well with the fact that occasionally patients have over-correction problems where the fat needs to be removed.

Sam Naficy, MD

80 reviews

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattleface.com

Fat survival after fat grafting is seen in the appearance

Hi there- You would know that the fat grafted has survived by appreciating the long term change in your appearance... To better answer your question, however, you should know that there have actually been several well structured and responsible reports of surgeons needing to operate on an area grafted with fat long periods after the grafting procedure (for various reasons) and finding a healthy, living layer of fat where there would normally not be one. There is no question the... more

Fat Transfer Survival

For transferred fat to truly qualify as a 'graft' the following must happen: living tissue must be transferred to a new location, and that tissue must gain a blood supply at the new location which provides oxygen and nutrients which allow it to persist indefinitely as living tissue. We know that with appropriate instrumentation and technique this is achievable, so one of the opinions expressed in this thread that "most of the cells from fat injection are dead " is... more

Michael Law, MD

17 reviews

Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

michaellawmd.com

Survival of Grafted Fat

I have done tissue contouring with fat for many years and have a significant gallery of before and after photographs that demonstrate effective, long term results. Invasive procedures such as a biopsy are not necessary. Medical studies using an MRI examination have verified the presence of fat after sculpting with the patients own fat .

Richard W. Fleming, MD

9 reviews

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Survival of transferred fat?

There have been multiple studies suggesting long term survival of transferred fat. Certainly, not all of the transferred cells survive but enough do that there is lasting improvement. But biopsies to demonstrate fat survival aren't necessary. If there is a significant change as a result of the procedure, this is all of the proof that you need. As they say, the proof is in the pudding.

Lawrence Kass, MD

31 reviews

Saint Petersburg Oculoplastic Surgeon

www.kassmd.com

How do we know that grafted fat survives

There have been several studies looking into fat graft survival. Quite recent MRI studies have shown the persistence of grafted fat in the face. The take isn't 100%, but using proper placement volumes reliable results can be obtained. Certainly, a secondary touch up procedure may be indicated after an initial fat transfer has fully healed (in up to 18 months).

How To Tell If The Transferred Fat Survived

The most common method for evaluating the survival of fat after a fat transfer is evaluating the clinical result. It may take a few months for all of the swelling to resolve but once you reach that point, if there is increased fullness and the tissues are soft and not painful, then it is very likely your fat grafts have survived. There have been studies performed using MRI and biopsies to determine the extent of fat graft survival but these are studies and not practical in most... more

Fat graft

Long term results and MRI are proof enough that fat does stay. There are evidence by biobsy in the litarature that proof fat does stay. You may need more than one session of fat transfer. I am not sure why you are thinking of microsurgery for fat transfer? In the past microsurgical transfer of the omentum was used for REOMBERG disease( Hemi facial atrophy). However that fell out of favor because it fall down very easily

Fat Graft Survival

Most commonly, the clinical result can tell if the fat survived. If the volume of the treated area is maintained after the swelling has resolved and if the area is soft and not tender, then the fat has probably survived. Biopsies and MRI can be done but it is not practical to do so just to determine if the fat survived.

Several ways to assess fat survival after transfer

There are several ways to assess fat survival. Post operative photos are standard, and taken from different angles, usually at 2 to 6 months. Biopsies are not done usually. A second transfer is often needed, depending on the area treated. I have found adding a product called Selphyl improves fat survival and now use it routinely.