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Is Fat Transfer Permanent?

asked 8 months ago by tiamaria in BB3
Latest answer by Philip Young, MD
Question viewed 310 times
Tags: longevity, permanent

I lost of the fat in my uppper cheeks. Not quite sure how or why it happened but it was after my Rhinoplasty. I want a permanent solution to fix this. I am considering fat transfer but I keep hearing different stories as to whether it is permanent or not. Is there proof that it is permanent or not?

14 answers to Is Fat Transfer Permanent?

Longevity of Fat Transfer

I work as an aesthetic facial plastics surgical tech and I have seen many procedures and many situations. I feel Fat Transfer is the best option to go with because the outcome can offer many results that the traditional incision procedures does not. For instance, as described on our web site volumizing will eliminate the extra skin and fill any unwanted wrinkles and lines. If you go with the traditional face lift all that is accomplished is tightening. When we age we experience muscle and... more

Philip Young, MD
Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drphilipyoung.com

Fat Transfer

Some of it may be permanent. The key words here are “some” and “may.” You are correct in that many dispute whether the transferred fat is permanent. This is an area where a consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon can offer some advice. I recommend you get a Sculptura consult and evaluate that product with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. This works well, and lasts roughly 2 years, and may be a very good fat alternative. more

Vivek Bansal, MD
Danville Plastic Surgeon

Is fat tranfer permanent?

Great question. Think of micro fat transplantation as a way of putting living cells in one area of your body to another, similar to a skin graft. Once the fat cells get new blood supply in their new location they become a living entity. As one ages, however, we tend to lose volume in our face and so it is not uncommon to require additional procedure later on to make up for these losses.

Christian Prada, MD
Saint Louis Plastic Surgeon

Fat grafting permanence

There are several studies that have shown that fat transfer is permanent, though there isn't 100% take of the initial fat placed. The fat grafts that survive are permanent but they do undergo aging changes like the natural facial fat. The thing is that after the procedure you would always have more volume in the face than you would otherwise, even taking into account continued natural aging and fat loss.

Thomas A Lamperti, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Fat transfer: permanent of not

Hello, As you can see there are different opinions among surgeons on the matter. Technically any part of your body whether its a skin graft, an organ, or fat that is moved from one are to another and establishes blood supply should be permanent. Once you do a skin graft the skin graft is permanent and does not have to be repeated. With fat grafting we must understand that as we age the volume of fat in our body changes and this happens to both the fat that was grafted... more

Remus Repta, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

Fat transfer is permanent.

30 years ago I got tired of surgeons saying it was not permanent. I had a patient that let me inject one hand with fat and we waited 2 years. You could see the difference across the room. The problem is creating symmetry and one must over inject at first since about 50% will be absorbed.

Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Fat transfer

Fat transfer is a permanent solution however a portion of the fat that is grafted intially is lost. To simplify between 20 to 50% of what is placed is lost. The residual is permanent.

Jay M. Pensler, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Fat Grafting

The survial of a fat graft is highly dependent on technique. From where the fat is harvested, which intruments are used in the harvest, the amount of time the fat is exposed to air, and how the fat is processed prior to transfer is crucial. It's the difference between a long lasting smooth contour, and either a short lived graft or worse, the creation of a firm nodule. I have been performing fat grafting fow many years, and have found the need for revisions rare. more

Richard Ellenbogen, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Fat Transfer Certainly Can be Permanent

Fat transfer is the grafting of fat. All grafts, if they take, are permanent. Since fat cells are fragile and susceptible to death from lack of oxygen, the grafting is technically difficult and unforgiving. When fat grafting began to become popular again some 10 years ago, there was a wide range of techniques and experience with individuals performing the surgery, and so results varied widely. Modern micro-fat grafting techniques performed by experienced surgeons... more

Mario Loomis, MD
Middletown Plastic Surgeon

Frustratingly not long lasting.

Especially at the top of the cheeks, I personally think it is very hard for fat transfer to compete with expert use of hyaluronic acid fillers like Juevederm and Restylane. This products are not permanent either. However, they do not require surgery and weeks ( or months) of facial swelling to achieve very satisfactory results. There is not permanent. Choose wisely.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Fat transfer

Fat transfer is technique dependant. and you should expect some where between 60-80% take of the graft.

Samir Shureih, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

Is fat transfer permanent?

No. Fat transfer results are NOT permanent, in my opinion. This does not imply that the results may not be fantastic or that it is not right for you. But typically, the results have to be enhanced (repeated) over time.

Lawrence Kass, MD
Saint Petersburg Oculoplastic Surgeon

Fat Grafting Can be Permanent

There is a wide range of techniques, instrumentation and experience among the surgeons that perform this surgical procedure. Because of the tremendous variability in all of these factors, there is tremendous variability in fat grafting results. To perform fat grafting successfully and reproducibly a surgeon must employ careful preoperative planning, appropriate instrumentation and meticulous surgical technique. It is not something you can 'rush... more

Michael Law, MD
Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

michaellawmd.com

Fat Grafting should definitely be permanent.

My experience with fat grafting is also generally positive. There is some variability with some fat surviving to a greater extent than other. If you find a surgeon who has experience with fat grafting this should be a worthwhile procedure.