Are Fat Transfer Results Permanent?

Hi Ang,
When performed using proper techniques of harvesting fat, treating the fat, and then injecting the fat, the fat that survives is permanent living fat. The techniques of Coleman, Lam, and Glasgold have been proven to stand the test of time. The percentage of fat transferred that survives varies from about 40 to 60% with these techniques.
I have personally seen the fat transfers in my patients to be permanent. The fat that is there after 6 months will be with them for the rest of their lives. The key is choosing your fat transfer surgeon most carefully.
Good luck and be well.
Dr. P

Thank you for your question.  As you can imagine, fat grafting and fat transfer procedures have grown tremendously in popularity over the years.  A very common question amongst patients who are interested in having a fat transfer performed is 'will my results last?'  I believe that fat transfer results have the potential to be permanent when they are performed correctly and in the hands of experienced surgeons.  With that said, I always warn patients that not all of the fat re-introduced at the time of a fat transfer will stay, that they can expect only up to 50-60% of the fat to last, and that the fat that remains after the first 3-6 months should be permanent.  Furthermore, patients must understand and appreciate that fat re-absorption and re-distribution happens on a daily basis. Fat grafting can be done almost anywhere on the body, but the most common areas treated are the buttocks, lateral hip depressions, and the face.  

A portion of the fat is permanent. It depends where it is injected. What plane it is injected (below or above the muscle) and the harvesting technique. 
The study results vary from 30-80% take rate. In the face the results are probably more like about 40% of the fat survives forever. This is because we transfer fat that at its original site has a lot of nice blood supply is warm and is comfortable. Then we transfer it to a new site. Only the best and strongest cells are able to connect into the new grid of blood cells. 
This limits us because then we need to "over inject" a bit to get the results we want. There will be a couple weeks of swelling until the true results are seen.
Hope this helps.
DrC

This is a very common question as patients want the result
to last if they are going to undergo surgery.




Fat transfer has become so popular because it allows your
surgeon to use your own body tissue for the augmentation. Liposuction is performed over several areas
depending on the individual patient needs, and the amount of fat needed.



The results tend to last for years to come if your weight is
stable. Just like any liposuction
procedure, this does not prevent your body from being able to put on weight.



With the fat transfer patients typically lose about 30% of
the fat that is initially transferred however the fat that is present six
months post-op will remain as long as your weight is stable. If you lose weight you can lose some of the
transferred fat, and if you gain weight you can increase the size of the
augmented area. The benefit of the fat
transfer is that the fat is your own and acts just like the fat in other parts
of your body.



If you are at a healthy weight and maintain that you will be
able to enjoy your results for year to come.




When considering this procedure it is very important that
you have your procedure performed by a board certified plastic surgeon.



I hope this helps.

Fat transfer results are permanent, but not all fat will survive. Harvesting is important to fat transfer. I use water-assisted fat harvesting which gives pure fat to transfer and combine with platelet rich plasma (PRP) to get the most viable and sustainable fat cells. This can be combined with Sculptra, depending on treated area, to improve outcomes. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Hello,

I do it in less than an hour in my office under local anesthesia only. There is minimal pain and minimal swelling. I use pronox laughing gas if desired. The fat that lives will stay forever. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions.

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

After the initial recovery during which fat may be metabolised (which could require another treatment to replace what's been lost), results tend to be permanent. However, they may be affected by aging and weight fluctuations.

Fat transfer can be performed safely with very large volumes for the breast or buttocks or in very small volumes for the face, eyes or lips.  When performed in the face, using micrografting techniques (about 3 to 50 cc), the resorption of fat (or loss of fat) is minimal to none.  Its important to note that early on for the first few weeks, the tissue of the face swells tremendously.  When this swelling dissipates, the result is very reliable and quite aesthetic!In the breast and body, much larger volumes are used...often in the 200 to 800 cc range.  Although these results are permanent, there can be some resorption of fat in these areas.  Surgeons often desire to overcorrect these areas by 20 to 25% in order to maintain the long term take of the fat.  The bottom line is that if your board-certified plastic surgeon is experienced, and uses careful and skillful techniques....your results will be fantastic.  best of luck to you!  Dr. Pacella

Adding volume to the face, breasts or body using your own fat is an excellent option for many issues. The results are permanent, as many of us can demonstrate in clinical photos, even years after the original procedure. Key points include:The experience of the surgeon is key - this procedure has a long learning curve.Micro-fat grafting to the face is a detailed, precise and artistic sculpting procedure. Changes in volume can occur for several months but the volume you see after 3-6 months is living tissue and will be 'permanent'.You will continue to age, so some fat/volume will be lost over the long term.Weight changes will impact the size and shape of the grafted fat.Good Luck!

Different surgeons have different techniques and training in fat transfer.  The results depends on the harvesting technique and instrumentation and processing of fat.  Doing the fat transfer procedures for over 10 years now with the techniques that I learned in Brazil with Prof. Ivo Pitanguy and having performed thousands of fat transfer procedures, the results of fat transfer is in excess of 60% being permanent.