Does junk food kill fat cells?

Question

Hello! I’m finally 6 months post op from my fat transfer to breasts. The size increase was about 1 cup. I ate alot of healthy food during the recovery but due to social events I binged on a lot of junk food like salt sugar and bad fats after the first couple weeks. I don’t think it made me swell worse, but does junk food kill/encourage less fat cell survival? I have maintained a stable within a couple lbs since the procedure

Brian Bassiri-Tehrani, MD · Answer

This is a great question and is something people probably wonder all the time. In general, it is important to eat a well balanced diet for your general health and for optimal surgical results and healing. 
When it comes to fat grafting, there are some surgeons who believe a high-carbohydrate diet before and after surgery will help nourish fat cells and help promote fat cell survival.
There are recent animal studies that corroborate this. In Aesthetic Surgery Journal in 2022, the authors to a study found that rats fed with a high carbohydrate diet before and after fat grafting had improved fat graft survival rates when compared to controls on a normal diet. Interestingly, when compared to a high fat diet before surgery, both high carb and high fat diet increased the volume of fat in the rats, but after grafting, high carb diet rats had significantly higher fat retention. Although this is an animal study, this can be a consideration in humans. More research in humans will need to be done to support these results, but this is still interesting nonetheless. Hope this helps!

Ajaya Kashyap, MD · Answer

Thank you for your query. I do not think junk food will affect the fat cells, as long as your weight is stable. Please find an experienced Board certified Plastic surgeon who can examine you and help you with all your concerns. All the best!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear velvetcrush1,
junk food will not kill fat cells but it is better to continue with a healthy diet. In case you have any concerns, you should consult your plastic surgeon. 
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Alan Gonzalez, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello @velvetcrush1, thank you for your question. It is true that your diet can impact the results of the procedure, however, eating junk food alone will not "kill" the transferred fat cells. A poor diet, however, can adversely affect your overall body composition, weight, and overall health, which may indirectly affect your fat transfer results. For fat cells to survive in their new location, they must establish a blood supply within weeks of the transfer. To ensure that your body is able to supply these necessary nutrients, it is important to maintain a balanced and healthy diet.Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS),International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science” Member (IFATS), American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery member (SCCP).

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Good food is needed for healing. Junk food provides no nutrition, but can increase weight. Your fat cells don't die by eating Doritos and coke, but neither are helpful or healthy to your body.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

I think your choice of foods is not going to have an impact on the final outcome of your procedure. Weight gain will increase your subcutaneous fat in the new fat distribution that was created from the procedure. Weight loss, likewise will reduce fat in the new proportions created by the operation.
You cannot change your fat distribution by eating certain foods.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD

Does junk food kill fat cells?

Answers (6)

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