Where Does 'Dead' Fat Go After a Fat Transfer?

Fat injections or fat grafts transfer fat cells from one area of the body to another. Some of these cells die because not enough oxygen can reach the center of the mass of the cells. We try to inject small amounts in one area for this reason. The cells that do not live get processed by the normal human tissue response of the immune system, including macrophages and lymphocytes. The cells get taken to the liver where they are processed. Infection can occur with any filler, but this is a rare occurrence.

Fat cells are mainly made up of lipids and fat molecules.  Dead fat cells essentially break up by your white cells, a process known as phagocytosis.  Some will also be absorbed into your circulation as lipids or fat molecules.  The lipids will then be transferred through your circulation and further broken down, mainly by your liver. 

Fat cells are composed of many molecules but essentially consist primarily of fat in the form of lipids and triglycerides. These are broken down and generally absorbed in to the blood stream and metabolized by the liver and other organs. Studies have been conducted to see if this short term surge is a cause of hypercholesterolemia and it does not appear to be.