Do Cheek Fat Injections Dissolve if I Lose Weight?

TSurvival of Fat Grafting

he long term survival of fat injections is unknown, despite many clinical studies to date. It seems that the fat grafting survival is highly dependent on the technique of injection and the viability of both the grafted fat as well as the recipient site.

Although the scientific literature is replete with anecdotal evidence to support various methods of fat grafting, the majority of plastic surgeons and dermatologists believe that the majority of the fat will not survive over several years.

It is true, nonetheless, that the grafted fat will retain the metabolism of its original site. Thus, it will respond to fluctuations in weight that are consistent with it native state.

 

The area of fat transfer would shrink slightly but would not dissolved.  Please note that results may vary among patients.

Thanks for your question. Fat transfer will change with weight loss or gain in the face. We are born with the same number of fat cells in our body. We don't grow anymore fat as we age or get heavier...those fat cells simply swell. Because fat cells have a stem-cell component, they truly never forget where they come from. Consequently, if you have fat removed from your abdomen and infected into your face, if you gain a bit of abdominal girth, your face will gain weight as well. The key is surgeon experience with fat transfer...this includes the volume of fat, the technique and the "take" of the fat. I would recommend a board certified plastic surgeon with experience in fat transfer. best of luck! Dr. Pacella

Hello,

After fat transfer, the fat can fluctuate as you lose and gain weight. It is critically important to understand that before proceeding. Best of luck!
Mark G. Albert, M.D.

NYC Aesthetic Surgeon

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

Transferred fat behaves the same way that it did prior to the transfer. And losing or gaining weight will affect the fat cells proportionally - the same way it would have prior to the transfer. 
You should follow up with your surgeon or seek the advice of subsequent board certified plastic surgeons. 

It really should last for many years if not decades depending on the integrity of your tissue. It will fluctuate with weight changes and therefore will gain or lose weight. 

While the fat may remain stable, there is definitely a possibility of a reduced outcome with weight loss and conversely, a more full look with weight gain. The fat that is transferred maintains its ability to shrink and grow in the site in which it is grafted. Interesting. Great question! 

Everybody seems to ask this question. I don't believe you will lose grafted fat from an area unless you lose a tremendous amount of weight.

Since fat grafted to the cheeks behaves like the donor fat where it was taken then you will lose fat volume in the face if you lose weight overall.

Transferred fat behaves as if it was still in the donor site. In most people this is an advantage. For example, when the surrounding native fat tends to atrophy the transferred fat will not if you took it from a location that is growing, not shrinking (e.g. your tummy).In other words, it will still behave as it was back home in the donor site.

On the other hand, if you lose weight in areas primarily where the transferred fat came from, the opposite would be true and the recipient site fat would shrink in volume. Take home message -  fat transfer (lipoinjection)  in patients with relatively stable weights will have the most predictable results.