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How Long Does Fat Last After Harvesting?

asked 3 years ago by CLNfemale in SAN DIEGO
Latest answer by Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Question viewed 3,273 times
Tags: fat harvesting

If I have Liposuction, and some of the fat is stored for use in other areas (ie. cheeks, lips, or under the eyes), will it still be safe or good for injection 3 months after it was stored? I would like to consider having liposuction on my inner thighs, and have some of it placed in my cheeks, then wait another 3-4 months to have it touched up with the original fat from the first procedure.

13 answers to How Long Does Fat Last After Harvesting?

How does injected fat last?

The question is how viable was it when it was first harvested. The number drops steadily from there over time. In our published studies, we found 20-25% viability of fat cells immediately after harvest. Other studies have shown a slow decrease in live cells over time. The effects of fat injection are twofold: temporary volume replacement, and eventual permanent results. Your temporary results may be the same with old fat or new fat, however the long term results will not be since fewer... more

Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.drbrent.com

Longevity of fat harvested for Fat Grafting

Fat Grafting requires specialized training and specialized surgical instruments, as well as patience and attention to detail on the part of the surgeon. Fat that has been collected through tradtional liposuction will not be viable for lasting fat grafts. A relatively new technique, structural fat grafting, in which small amounts (less than 0.1 cc at a time) of fat are carefully microinjected in a series of discrete layers to gradually 'build' new soft tissue structure. As there is space... more

Michael Law, MD
Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

michaellawmd.com

Frozen fat is dead fat

Dear CLN, Fat that is frozen is essentially dead fat. It can be injected at a later date, but its viability will be short lived. In other words, you may appreciate a volume increase for a short period, but it will quickly dissipate.

Kenneth R. Francis, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Store fat in your body

In my opinion, the best place to store fat is in your body. I would recommend doing the initial procedure, and if you need an additional injection of fat, I would re-harvest fat from you at that time. The survival would be far superior to fat stored in a freezer and it would eliminate the possibility of mixing up your fat with someone else's that may have been stored in a freezer.

Darrick E. Antell, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Storing fat is not effective.

Hi! Even fresh fat atrophies to some extent. (This is highly variable and depends on technique). Stored fat is not viable and I don't do it. In fact, I don't know any experienced plastic surgeons in New York who store fat. This seems to be done primarily by dermatologists. And it is safe enough. I just don't think it works.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Best to use harvested fat right away

We like to use the fat right away after harvesting, as we depend on the viability of the fat cells for the result. Although widely used, I do not store fat any longer because I prefer optimal fat survival. It is relatively easy to obtain more fat before the next treatment. Other surgeons may store fat for up to 1 year, recognizing that survival will likely decrease. There are always pros and cons.

Frank P. Fechner, MD
Worcester Facial Plastic Surgeon

Only use fresh fat for fat grafting

Fat grafting is an extremely effective and powerful technique for recontour and the face and body. It works best when liposuction is performed to one area and the fat that is collected is immediately cleaned and process and then immediately transferred to another part of the body. Remember that your ultimate result will largely depend on the technique that was used in the quality of the fat. Fat has been frozen has been criminally damaged with ice crystals. This can make the fat produce... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Fat Transfer and Storage

Fat that is harvested for transfer should be used right away. Stored fat has unpredictable survival and there is always a concern about bacterial contamination or "sterility" of a biological product stored under conditions which have poorly defined industry standards -- especially in a private clinic setting.

Daniel Reichner, MD
Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon

Stored fat not long-lasting as fresh fat

The fat that is stored is usually not as long-lasting as fresh fat. Unless you are extremely thin, there is always some fat available in other parts of the body for fresh fat transfer. This is easily done with local anesthesia and is preferrable to frozen fat.

Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Low risk to store harvested fat

Fat injection itself is a relatively unpredictable process, so I do not think you are losing anything to store the fat if you know you will want to have another session. You have to figure in less than 100% take anyway, although the storing of fat certainly doesn't improve its quality. However, be sure your surgeon or facility has the ability to store properly. There is a small risk of contamination or mislabeling that can occur if storage procedures are not strict.

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Preserving, storing, or saving fat for later injection.

As easy as it is to put fat on (gain weight), it is just as difficult to preserve and store. Fat cells are very delicate and easily die. That is why we generally over correct and over inject because we anticipate that some of the fat will not survive (this is approximately 50% on average). There are some physicians who feel that saving the fat is worthwhile and can provide some long term survival. There are many different formulas and recipes and techniques for this. I have had research... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

How Long Does Fat Last After Harvesting?

Hi CLN, Many fat transfer physicians harvest fat, inject it, and save what is left over for up to 6 months in a freezer. The frozen fat is not as effective as fresh fat, and there is a lower "take" of the fat. If you are saving fat from body liposuction you need to discuss with your physician whether the suctioned fat is viable. Good luck and be well. Dr. P

Michael A. Persky, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Fat Cells outside the body die over time.

Frozen Fat Transfer - Possible but not in your best interest. First of all it must be done in absolute sterile conditions using a protocol and utilizing a company that specializes in stored fat. Freezing fat is not a standard procedure and should be viewed as experimental. In short, is not in your best interest. The reason is that as a rule, the longer the fat is outside your body the more of a chance there is of fat cell death, infection from contamination, and less... more