Do you think that someday there will be a way to grow someone's own fat cells outside of their body for fat grafting?

Question

Do you think that someday there will be a way to grow someone's own fat cells outside of their body for fat grafting? Would that option be really far in the future? I think I saw another community member mention the idea one time. It would be cool if it was possible for people worried about liposuction! I do not know how realistic is it though. Thank you!

Shim Ching, MD · Answer

Most definitely!  But we are years away from doing that.  One day we will be able to grow fat and other parts of the body we will need for both cosmetic surgery and for all types of illnesses.  It will revolutionize surgery and medicine.

Scott W. Vann, MD, FACS · Answer

I think growing fat outside the body might be possible at some point in the future. Epithelial skin cells have been grown for several years, but in very small amounts and very expensive. These grafts are used in burn patients. So I feel that fat grafts grown in the lab will someday be possible, I think it will likely be many years and not affordable for cosmetic  applications.

Stephen J. Ronan, MD, FACS · Answer

Yes!  But it will be a long time before that happens.  You can also add hair follicles, cartilage, skin, etc to the wish list.Good luck!

Frederic H. Corbin, MD (license restricted) · Answer

The short answer is Yes it is being done now with stem cells derived from fat but will it become a surgical technique in the near future probably not.Dr Corbin

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Do you think that someday there will be a way to grow someone's own fat cells outside of their body for fat grafting?

Answers (4)

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