Do Fat Cells Die and Reproduce and Does This Effect Grafted Fat?

I have been ready that studies have shown fat cells die and then get replaced with new cells. If this is the case, when fat has been grafted to the face and the cells die, do the new cells reproduce into the face or back to the original site ie the stomach?

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6 Doctor Answers | Asked by tiamaria in BB3

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Fate of grafted fat cells

If grafted fat cells die they will not necessarily get replaced with other fat cells, although the fat inside the cell may to some extent be taken up by other surviving fat cells.

Sam Naficy, MD

80 reviews

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattleface.com

Do Fat Cells Die and Reproduce Following Transfer?

Fat cells that die after transfer to a new area do not reproduce, but are permanently lost. Fortunately this is rare in most people when the work is done by an experienced surgeon. Living cells provide the results seen after successful fat grafting. Normal fat cells will increase or decrease in size as we gain or lose weight. Liposuction or fat harvesting will decrease the number of fat cells in that area.

Richard W. Fleming, MD

9 reviews

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Dead cells do not reproduce with fat transfer

When doing a fat transfer procedure the surgeon removes the fat from one area the "donor site" which is typically abdomen, love handle, inner thighs. The fat is then placed in a centrifuge and spun down separating the fat from blood and liquid. This leaves the surgeon with fat for injection. The fat is then injected into the "receiving site." The fat cells that survive this process become viable fat cells. Fat cells that do not will be reabsorbed by the body. Fat cells do not reproduce... more

Michael Elam, MD

83 reviews

Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon

michaelelammd.com

Fat cells may become dormant after grafting

There is evidence that some of the fat cells that have been transferred may become dormant or be re-absorbed. This is highly dependent on the fat procurement and grafting techniques, as well as the preparation of the recipient site. We have seen an actual increase in volume after 6 months in some cases of macro fat transfer (breast and buttocks). This is actually due to the fact that the fat cells that survive are normally functioning fat cells and will behave like normal... more

Definition of Fat Cell Death

Horror movie zombies and vampires are the only dead things that get around and reproduce. Although genetically, inability to reproduce is defined as death, physiologocally the lack of sufficient oxygen needed to sustain the most basic processes required to sustain function leads to irreversible breakdown of the cell and its eventual break up. - heart muscle death = heart attack - brain death = stroke - fat cells death or non-take means those fat cells will go away forever and be... more

Dead fat doesn't reproduce

When fat if grafted, the cells that regain blood supply survive, also called "take." These are now living viable fat cells that will not go away. Those fat cells that don't "take" will be absorbed by the body over months. Dead cells of any kind don't reproduce.