How Can you Tell that Fat has Actually Survived the Transfer? Biopsies?

Hi there-

You would know that the fat grafted has survived by appreciating the long term change in your appearance...

To better answer your question, however, you should know that there have actually been several well structured and responsible reports of surgeons needing to operate on an area grafted with fat long periods after the grafting procedure (for various reasons) and finding a healthy, living layer of fat where there would normally not be one.

There is no question the technique works, particularly when done by someone who knows what they're doing...

A few words of caution...


Unsuspecting fat grafting patients who didn't do their homework or chose their surgeon poorly have paid heavy prices- including loss of their lives.

Avoid any surgeon that uses shifty marketing to attract you, like using a catchy name for their liposuction technique or promising you "stem cells" will be used. This behavior should cause you to seriously question their morals and ethics.

NEVER choose a surgeon because they are offering you the most attractive price. You are investigating a professional service in which your health and long term happiness are in the balance- and just as with any other professional, the best ones are not likely to be the least expensive.

There is no doubt that grafted fat survives long-term. This has been proven with imaging studies as well with the fact that occasionally patients have over-correction problems where the fat needs to be removed.

  There have been multiple studies suggesting long term survival of transferred fat.  Certainly, not all of the transferred cells survive but enough do that there is lasting improvement.  But biopsies to demonstrate fat survival aren't necessary.  If there is a significant change as a result of the procedure, this is all of the proof that you need.  As they say, the proof is in the pudding.

There have been several studies looking into fat graft survival. Quite recent MRI studies have shown the persistence of grafted fat in the face. The take isn't 100%, but using proper placement volumes reliable results can be obtained. Certainly, a secondary touch up procedure may be indicated after an initial fat transfer has fully healed (in up to 18 months).

One way to confirm that fat has survived is through photos. Look at before and after images up to twelve months after surgery.For transferred fat to truly qualify as a 'graft' the following must happen: living tissue must be transferred to a new location, and that tissue must gain a blood supply at the new location which provides oxygen and nutrients which allow it to persist indefinitely as living tissue.  We know that with appropriate instrumentation and technique this is achievable, so one of the opinions expressed in this thread that "most of the cells from fat injection are dead " is simply untrue (and structural fat grafting, to be clear, does not involve 'injection' of fat).  MRI studies have shown that with appropriate technique grafted fat persists long-term as living, vascularized tissue in the recipient site
There are many fat grafting before and after photos on websites of plastic surgeons who regularly perform fat grafting, including my own that can show results of fat grafting after many months and years.