How to preserve fat after fat grafting on face?

Question

What is the best way to preserve fat cells after full face transfer. My face is often tense ( I think a lot). Will that affect the fat transfer?

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

do PRP and sculptra injections and avoid any over mainpulation or heating to the area.  there are not many studies that show any significant issue that can be prevented to keep fat after injection.  Best, Dr. Emer.

R. Laurence Berkowitz, MD · Answer

There are so many variables affecting outcomes.  Much of the advice comes from experience and very little scientific evidence. Short term try to minimize facial motion especially the lips, avoid pressure and while cooling may help, ice may damage these fragile grafts. Long term we often hear from patients that the fat "didn't last" but keep in mind that the aging process is ongoing and relentless, so that the fat that is being lost may be the native fat not the grafted fat.

Julio Clavijo-Alvarez, MD, MPH, FACS · Answer

Thanks for sharing your question.

The survival of fat transfers is related to the process of
the fat during the transfer. If your fat transfer has been done already, the
survival will be realated to the ratio of fat and tissue were the fat was
injected. The more fat, the less survival once you overcome a 1 to 1 ratio.

Wishing you the best in your journey

Bao L. Phan, MD · Answer

In the immediate post- operative period (first few weeks), the fat should not be disturbed or manipulated too vigorously through either manual manipulation or by placing direct pressure on it such as with laying on it.  This could move the fat around from where it was placed and also disrupt the neovascularization that needs to take place to keep the fat cells alive.  The direct pressure (from laying on it) or increased interstitial pressure (from excessive swelling or excessive volume injected) can also inhibit the diffusion of oxygen and nutrients in this critical period.  As such head elevation to minimize the swelling and to keep the fat where it was placed is important.  There is no evidence that any injections of any other autologous or artificial products will increase the longevity of the transferred fat.  It has more to do with good surgical technique.  Best wishes.

John J. Martin, Jr., MD · Answer

There is not much you can do to affect the longevity or survival of the fat.  Thinking a lot definitely won't harm it.  The survival is due to the technique used to harvest and inject, and the amount injected.  Also varies depending on where the fat came from on the body.  If your face feels tight that is completely normal

Michael M. Omidi, MD, FACS · Answer

It would be optimal to use the fat during the same session as the harvest.  Think of freshness of a fruit when it is immediately picked as opposed sitting for weeks.  Also eliminates many other risks and costs of storage and reuse of biologic tissues.  An in-person exam with a
board-certified plastic surgeon is the best way to assess your needs and
provide true medical advice.  Best of
luck. Dr. Michael Omidi

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

There are several important factors in creating increased survival or take after tissue transfer.Some of these include the gentle handling of tissues and immobilization during the time the transferedtissue is reestablishing a blood supply. Small blood vessel's called capillaries slowly grow into to transferred fat particles.This process is called neovascularization and happens during the first few weeks after the procedure.The fat cells need a direct source of oxygen and nutrients within the first week to week and a half  in order to survive.  Physical disruption during neovascularization can delay the delivery of oxygen causing fat necrosis and loss of retained fat volume. After the first few weeks there is little that can be done to change how much of the fat will survive long term.It is obviously not possible to completely immobilized the face after this procedure but avoiding pressure by not applying pressure or massage can potentially have an impact. if you are more than a few weeks out from your procedure then there is little that can be done to change the final outcome at this point.Best,Mats Hagstrom M.D.

How to preserve fat after fat grafting on face?

Answers (7)

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