Do Fat Cells Die and Reproduce and Does This Effect Grafted Fat?

Fat cells that die after transfer to a new area do not reproduce, but are permanently lost. Fortunately this is rare in most people when the work is done by an experienced surgeon. Living cells provide the results seen after successful fat grafting.  Normal fat cells will increase or decrease in size as we gain or lose weight. Liposuction or fat harvesting will decrease the number of fat cells in that area.

When doing a fat transfer procedure the surgeon removes the fat from one area the "donor site" which is typically abdomen, love handle, inner thighs. The fat is then placed in a centrifuge and spun down separating the fat from blood and liquid. This leaves the surgeon with fat for injection. The fat is then injected into the "receiving site." The fat cells that survive this process become viable fat cells. Fat cells that do not will be reabsorbed by the body. Fat cells do not reproduce however they may be transferred to other areas. You are born with a certain number of fat cells and those cells get smaller and larger depending upon weight gain. Once the cells are removed you do not reproduce more fat cells.