Fat Transfer Q&A
52%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not. See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings or Add Your Review
136 Reviews
Fat Transferbefore & after photos
View Before and Afters

Average Fat Transfer Cost: $3,950

Learn about Fat Transfer

1,090 people and 473 doctors are talking about Fat Transfer

Get Free Email Updates

Fat Transfer: How Long is the Recovery Period?

asked 1 year ago by cloud9ecstasy in North Bay, California
Latest answer by Ronald Shelton, MD
Question viewed 456 times
Tags: age 55-64, female, downtime, healing, recovery, wedding

I am planning to have a fat transfer on May 20, 2001. I am 55 yrs old woman looking forward to have this procedures. I have a consultation appointment today around 4pm in San Francisco.

I need to know how long is the healing process. If I do it on 20th of may and attend a wedding on july 7th. Is this this sufficient time to recover before the wedding? From may 20 till july 7th seems not enough time. Most stated 6wks, 8wks,12weeks.

8 answers to Fat Transfer: How Long is the Recovery Period?

+2

Recovery after Fat Transfer

I assime the fat teransfer is on your face, otherwise you would not be concerned about the wedding. In general I tell patients that they should allow 2-3 weeks. You may be aware of some subtle continuing changes in things like sensation, but you should enjoy the wedding without fear of being discovered.
Richard W. Fleming, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Age dependent recovery

Many patients are severely stressed when their recovery is "timed" and calendar limited by deadlines.  The closer you get to the event, the higher the stress.  You are wise to ask what to expect, but understand that each patient heals at different rates based on your general health.  80% of bruising and swelling usually resolves by the end of the second week.  My rule of thumb is to advise that patients in their 30's can expect any surgical... more
Randy Wong, MD

Honolulu Plastic Surgeon
+2

Recovery after fat transfer

Where the fat is being transfered is important when it comes to recovery time.  Typical recovery issues are bruising and swelling.  If done symmetrically, most patients are presentable in public within 1-2 weeks.  The one exception is lip fat transfer.  Lips swelling takes longer to resolve- sometimes 3-4 weeks.  Ultimately these are questions you should discuss with your doctor, and get their point of view based on their experience and planned treatment areas... more
Yoash R. Enzer, MD

Providence Oculoplastic Surgeon

www.doctorenzer.com

+2

Facial Fat Grafting Recovery

As a stand-alone procedure, patients require about 10-12 days to be presentable after facial fat transfer. For important events such as a wedding, 6 weeks should be sufficient.
Frank P. Fechner, MD

Worcester Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Fat injection recovery

Fat injections involve the removal and processing of fat cells from one part of the body to another. The swelling in the recipient area, the area in which the new fat cells begin to live, can be different for each patient. It is possible that the fat may live well and only one treatment is needed but other times, there are multiple treatments needed. Swelling can last for several weeks depending on how deeply the fat is injected and how many passes are made. Often there can... more
Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist
+1

Fat Transfer Recovery

Fat transfer recovery has several phases. Shortly after surgery, your face will look more swollen because of localized edema (swelling) which will resolve after several days. Bruising may be seen during this time. The second phase takes longer to resolve. This phase involves the incorporation of fat into the face. Some fat will be removed by the body and during this phase, the swelling will resolve further. I find that the long term appearance is usually... more
Elizabeth S. Harris, MD

San Antonio Plastic Surgeon
+1

Recovery after fat transfer

I agree with the surgeon above me. It is improtant to know where the fat is coming from and where it is going (and how much). If you are to have large volume fat transfer to the buttocks for instance, then a fair amount of both liposuction and fat transfer is invovled. The recovery period is several weeks and there will be swelling and abnormal sensation for up to three months. On the other hand, 10 cc of fat into the cheeks is a very rapid recovery with little down time (some bruising and... more
Daniel A. Medalie, MD

Cleveland Plastic Surgeon
+1

Fat transfer recovery period

You did not mention where you were planning to have the fat transfer procedure done - for facial, breast, buttock enhancement ? In very general terms, the recovery for these procedures is brief - much like the recovery after a liposuction procedure. Expect some brusing in the region that fat was transferred to - this brusing typically resolves after 2-3 weeks.
Scott Sattler, MD

Bellevue Plastic Surgeon

Ask a question